Getting those plastic trims back to OEM black with pics

[SoCalExplo]

some good paint i been using is the Rust-oleum primer and paint all in one its really goood

 

[Steeda04SVT]

Great write up, did my cowl and wiper arms and pillars and grille and makes a world of difference. Very happy with this and thanks to this thread.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

For real this thread is getting me real excited to clean up my truck this spring/summer.

It's not only going to be running better then new, but looking better aswell.

 

[Steeda04SVT]

For real this thread is getting me real excited to clean up my truck this spring/summer.

It's not only going to be running better then new, but looking better aswell.

Better post up pics

 

[TheExplorerGuy]

Any long term reports? Has the paint started to peel up any with carwashes, etc?

 

[ffpmme]

Think I am going to give it a go with the door sills this week. Loved the painted nameplate's gave it a extra pop. How do they come off? Thanks!

 

[Steeda04SVT]

Any long term reports? Has the paint started to peel up any with carwashes, etc?

That's what I've been wondering. Plus how hard it was to take off the roof racks.

 

[dersch6221992]

I know this is three years old but question.
instead of removing the windshield cowls, can i just paint them on the truck and just mask everything off?

 

[Fairfaxexplorer]

That's a good question... Mine is looking a little faded too... Anyone ever tackeled this before?

 

[wickedtravelah]

I've used Forever Black Bumper & Trim. Got it at amazon.

It actually holds it's color for a year or so and it's easy to apply....roof rack, window trim, rear view mirror backings, running boards, and front cowl. Just wear rubber gloves because it stains your skin. I've tried other brands like Turtle Wax touch up; Forever Black works well and lasts long.

my 2¢

 

[98MercMounty]

I don't know if this is the right thread but I am a 1st time user on this forum. I recently had my windshield replaced and found that there is a 1/8-3/8 gap between the upper weatherstripping on the plastic cowl and the windshield. The weatherstripping doesn't even make contact with the windshield. That's a big gap. After googling a bit, I find that the proper way to replace the windshield is to remove the windshield wiper and cowl first because the base of the windshield goes below the cowl about an inch or 2. Since the cowl snaps into place, i was wondering if any of you who had removed the window cowl (for painting) had any experience with those clips/snaps breaking such that you could not snap the plastic cowl firmly down back in place and it ends up bulging up. Thus, the weatherstripping does not make contact with the windshield.

 

[ronsdeal]

There is a screw!!

Not sure about the Mountaineer, but on the Explorer there is a phillips screw on the drivers half of the cowling, just to the right of the center split on the drivers side, middle of the window.
If you try to pry/pop it off without removing that, you will have all sorts of problems. Guess how I learned that....

 

[IIGood]

I have a question...

Is the trim on the 3rd gens truly black though? Or is it more of a charcoal? I'm planning to repaint the bodyside moldings and such at some point down the road because right now, it's all faded and it's an uneven fading. The bumper might be lighter than the trim around the wheel wells, etc. But it doesn't look like it was pure black...

 

[jmcwee21121]

I did mine a year ago....also did the rims..and lowered it myself. Sorry it's dirty right now...but I have to redo the rims cuz when I got new tires the weights moved...thinking about adding some red to the rims. In the process of doing the interior.content://media/external/file/6845

 

[jmcwee21121]