Faded dash buttons

[MNlotus]

I looked at the prices for new buttons and saw they are a bit pricey to replace them all. Is there some kind of oil or something I can rub on them to make them look like new again?

[Carz01]

I’ve used OWATROL Marine Polytrol which does a nice job bringing back the color and pretty long lasting 

[wdb]

I've used Mother's 'Back to Black' on other cars. It does a decent job. As @Carz01 mentions, my stuff is also "pretty long lasting" which is a nice way of saying it does need to occasionally be re-applied. For example I use it annually on my Porsche's external black plastic bits.

 

On electrical switches I strongly suggest going very light on the application as you don't want the stuff finding its way inside the switch. Repeated light applications should do the trick.

Edited August 24 by wdb

[Xhilr8n]

I’ve found different plastics even on same car will respond differently to various elixirs.  Back to Black is a favorite, as is Trim Shine and for some applications Sonax Plastic Restorer gel.     But don’t put anything on all of them until you see how something does.

[Anthem]

For me, CERAKOTE Ceramic Trim Coat. Not sure how it would work on something you touch like switches.

 

Last year I inherited a Toyota that lived outside everyday for 10yrs in Florida sun&heat before I got it. Got it repainted serval months ago because the clearcoat was peeling on the roof/trunk and the black plastic trim was dry and had a crystalized like surface finish, the Cerakote worked nearly perfect, at 2 feet it looks brand new so no need to have the trim replaced, the body shop wanted to know what I used as they saw it before, during the estimate period.

 

It's been over 4 months and it still looks great, car sits outside everyday.

 

 

Amazon CERAKOTE® Ceramic Trim Coat Kit

[Slonie]

ProjectFarm just did a comparison test on trim restorers and Cerakote totally ran away with it. Tempted to try it on some trim on my other cars, although like Anthem said I'd be a little curious about using it on a touch point. The one tip I found from the comments section is to mask really well as this stuff really doesn't want to come off. As a side note, I've been curious about using 303 on the tonneau/trunk when the time comes.

 

 

[theDreamer]

One of the most frequent comments we get on our car is how great the interior looks. Caterham owners always comment on how black our toggle switches are.

The wife has spent many decades detailing our vehicles. She really liked S100 but switched to 303 and cannot remember why. Since getting our Caterham she has been using Weiman’s Leather Conditioner which may be packaged differently in the US. I’m not sure if this is going to work long term but, she uses it on the entire interior as it is all leather including the dash covering. Obviously some gets on the toggle switches so she just uses that to clean them too. I do not know why but the switches in our 32 year old Caterham look like new. Same goes for the gauges. So we are not doing anything to bring back the black just keeping everything clean and sparkling.

 

Edited September 17 by theDreamer
zoomed in on photo

[panamericano]

The key may be keeping it out of the sun as much as possible.  Helps the leather too.

[IamScotticus]

Fried chicken grease has done very well in my car

 

Could someone put up a link to the 303?

Edited September 20 by IamScotticus

[panamericano]

"Fried chicken grease has done very well in my car"

Yessiree, Scott's down home cures and fixes are sure to please.  Iffen it don't look right, just lick it off.  Just right time for a little schmaltz?  The old German Oma always thought goose fat was better.