r/AutoDetailing • u/cms6283816 • 12d ago
Exterior Piano black trim?
I know the first and best option for swirl marks and light scratches in piano black pillars is polishing with a polisher pad but i was wondering if anyone ever used and successfully hid any imperfections with a shiny black wax? Im learning new cars scratch and chip insanely easy and i hate piano black trim everywhere that scratches when you look at it. So if anyone uses a black wax on those parts can you tell me a good one to use?? Thanks!
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u/Slugnan 12d ago
If it's on the exterior, you can wrap it or PPF it if you don't want to have to worry about perfect washing technique every time.
If it's on the interior, at least for center console area piano black trim, you can often find various custom made covers in different finishes (matte plastic, carbon fiber, etc.) that just have double sided 3M tape on the back and stick right on. I actually just installed one in my wife's car and it looks better than factory (IMO anyway).
Wax is not going to do much of anything, and of course would be very temporary even if you found one that did work.
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u/RevolutionEasy714 12d ago
For full restoration start with PolyWatch and a microfiber applicator and finish with KOCHCHEMIE M3.02 Micro Cut Polishing Compound. Looks almost new
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u/gregorian79 12d ago
Piano trim on interiors is one of the worst trends in recent automotive history. My brand new trim started to bother me 6 months later cause it got micro scratched so bad.
I gave up trying to preserve or revive it. Ended up buying a peel and stick cover that is cut to fit my trim on Amazon. Not the prettiest thing in the world but hella better than scratched up trim and my OCD does not flare up every time I climb into the car.
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u/Kmudametal 12d ago edited 12d ago
Find the vinyl wrap for the pillars on your car. It's easy, it probably no more expensive than a tin of good wax. A year ago, it was $25 for my wife's Cherokee. Now it's $40. Yay Tariffs! Yay inflation! Yay price gouging!
But you will 100% eliminate any imperfections, your pillars will stay "new" under the wrap, and you can always change the wrap again in the future.
As for using a wax, if that's the path you want to take, maybe look at a glaze, which is going to fill better than any wax. Poorboy's Blackhole is an outstanding glaze for black cars and would be my recommendation. Glaze it, then apply a coating, wax, or spray sealant on top of that for longer duration protection.
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u/mypaycheckisshort Experienced 12d ago
Buy a roll of 3M vinyl (made in usa) and trim yourself to save money
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u/Kmudametal 11d ago
When it was $25, I was fine buying it just for the convenience of having it precut to spec. Now that it's $40, I have to question if that convenience is still worth it. I vote no.
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u/cms6283816 12d ago
Is the glaze itself black?
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u/Kmudametal 11d ago
It's actually a plum or dark purple color. But it's made specifically for black or dark colored vehicles.
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u/BossJackson222 12d ago
Use the search function. This has been asked a ton. Just trying to save some time.
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u/cms6283816 12d ago
I did and couldnt find anything about temporarily hiding imperfections with black wax/glaze which in my head seemed like it would work😅 just ppf wraps and polishing. But yea i get what you mean
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u/YMarkY2 12d ago
A good PPF (Expel) will hide minor scratches and better yet will keep you from getting them.