5 MONTH UPDATE: Fender Restoration Shootout and Winner Announcement 

Cerakote is glossy and cracking on your piece because you put such a large amount on a very small space. It’s way too thick of a coating. It’s a ceramic, it needs a thin even coat. A thinner coat would also knock down the gloss. That Black Stuff is no doubt a great dye for your plastic. Excellent video comparison!

Thank you for following up at 5 months! Too many people advertise products and call it a "review" rather than looking at the consumers needs.

I plan to use a dry towel to wipe off the excess Cerakote. I think it'll look better, more consistent.

Thanks for this series. I was really expecting the Cerakote to be the winner.

Thanks so much for the 5 month update. Too many reviewers just show the product right after it is done but of course the results are totally different months later. Great job!

You basically used one Cerakote applicator on that tiny little section when that can do an entire bumper and even more. You got that super shiny look because of that because Cerakote dries more in a matte look than shiny. I would never use those dye’s but that’s me. Think of washing your vehicle as an enjoyable experience and use something that works monthly and just apply it once a month. Cerakote is a long term solution but is made with ceramics which is why the durability is so good. I would only use Cerakote or Solution Finish or even use Ceratrim from The Last Coat. You need to try Solution Finish and Ceratrim.

This is absolute gold. Was looking for a video that was straightforward and to the point like this one. Got the forever black.

It's Mar 2021 and I put Cerakote on last year in July 2020 and it's still going strong! Haven't gotten any crackling or shiny finish like you experienced, mine looks OEM. I used one wipe for both rear fenders and one wipe each for the fronts! You get 10 wipes for like $20 on amazon. Did I mention I live in Houston? Clean and prep is key!! I washed mine with Dawn and a scotch-brite and then wiped them off with denatured alcohol. No problems whatsoever!!

As another Florida Jeep owner, thank you for the long-term followup on this. I may use the "that black stuff" on my Gladiator soon.

I’m an original owner of a ‘97 spec-ordered TJ Sport with 145k on the clock. We brought my new born son home in her in ‘99, and all my kids eventually learned to drive “stick” in her. Though I’ve had offers upwards of $7k -- I just don’t have the heart to part with her. While I have an older Porsche, a ‘20 Tacoma, the wife’s Forester, I still opt to drive the Jeep more often than not. I’m retired now….I have time and some cash…and thinking a full restoration. Until then, re-doing her to my comfort level. Rather than repainting her hardtop, wondering if one of those two top products would work on the hardtop? I guess…nothing ventured, nothing gained. Bravo-Zulu…..well done…..this is the most thorough review video I’ve seen of “re-black” products performance to date!

Thanks for this comparison. Using your panels this way, really tells the story.

After watching this video series testing the various products. I think I am sold on either THAT BLACK STUFF or FOREVER BLACK. I have a hard top on my rig and think perhaps the Forever black may match better.

Forever Black is the best. Just dye your canopy roof with it too ;)

I would like my jeep to age gracefully. Get a haircut, Chief. Good video, thanks

Thank you for your research. The last is what counts so it was nice to ignore the marketing fluff and see the results.

So far the best video. You reviewed a lot of products. Thanks !.

This was incredibly helpful. Thank you!

Man, Thanks for doing this series. It's been very helpful for me.

Great long term review and including a heat gun as well... I wonder about follow-up applications of the conditioners versus the heat gun if heat gun would impact the long-term in a negative way.

Wish we got to see the winner applied to the jeep.

Forever black is the winner

Thanks for the video. Although cerakote stayed black, i dont like the shine neither, i like the matte on my cladded avalanche. But i purchased that black stuff and wanted to see how long it will last. Thanks again

CPO got that retirement haircut haha. Great video

Thanks for your consistency 🏆

Yo! I used Forever Black with the applicator brush they provide and got brush marks like you did. I got discouraged from it because of the brush marks and bought That Black Stuff, but used the same brush (washed it after using it previously) and encountered the same brush marks. If anything, your That Black Stuff application looks much better than mine and I suspect that applicator brush they provide in Forever Black is the culprit of the brush marks. From now on I'll be using a microfiber to apply That Black Stuff!

Nice review dude, gotta get some black stuff now. I've put off doing my faded black trim for a LONG time because of the fade issue and now I know which one works best over time. I appreciate the long term review follow up!

Can't tell you how much I appreciate this! And what rims are those, I want them for my TJ! Thanks!

Good long-term test review, Chris.

Great Video. Thanks for sharing. I did not know about that products (Forever Black and That's Black Stuff) I will love to test them.

Chris I use transmission fluid works fairly well

But wait! Aren't we going to get to see a before and after of the jeep after you've treated all of the trim???

Here to recommend a heat gun or blow torch. It’s a nearly permanent solution.

Thanks for the video. Very helpful

WOW... Great to have You back ! 👍😃 Edited.... # Hippy! 🤪

Very nice test. Very helpful. Thanks much for posting.

Thanks for these videos and extensive updates. 5 month is really a good testing period. Regarding That Black Stuff or Forever Black is washing with chemicals. I have read reviews where after a few days and a single car wash, the dye begins to flake. Did any of your testing include washing through car wash or hand washing? I think for me, I'd go with the Cerakote as it seems this might be the better option with regards to application and look. I don't mind the shine.

Matching to the top is interesting, but I'd probably compare to the side view mirrors.

Thanks for the comparisons

Really appreciate the update!

2:31 to get on with it and tell you what products were used.

Excellent original and follow up video! Based on your video, I went with the Forever Black for my Explorer Sport Trac Trim. Excellent appearance. I almost went with the CeraKote Trim. Glad I did not based on your follow up about the checkering after 5 months. I was also toying with an overcoat of the Forever Black using the CeraKote trim if it fades. Now Im not so sure!! supposedly Forever Black is good for 50 washings and Cerakote 200 washings. Tempting!! Any thoughts about that?

This video made me glad I bought that black stuff

Cerakote then forever black.

I have a Jeep Renegade TrailHawk that has a plastic grill surround that is getting pretty sun beat just under the round head lights on both sides. They are smooth and not rough surfaced like all the trim plastics. Where it fades it looks kinda like paint chipping but it’s not painted. I was thinking one of the dye products (the ones you liked best) may be the ticket. Based on your experience, which one do you think would be best on a smooth plastic surface?

Any chance you can leave these out in the yard for a full year and re-visit? This is a GREAT review, thank you!

are you going to apply that black stuff to that jeep and do some long term updates?

Thanks

Great channel. Great review the best review I have seen on trim restoration

Thank you ! Great reviews

Excellent and diligent comparison process you have followed, it is really helpful. It would be great to have something like this for tire shine, do you know of any?

Car Guys has most reviews on Amazon...Tests?

Very well done videos! About as informative and thorough as one can get. Deserves a thumb's up and a subscribe from me.

Excellent - thank you!

Great video my guy 👍

Great, useful analysis. Thank you. Question: Why did you not do your own fenders? And another question: Which product will you use? :)

Damn how it changed in only 5 months 😬

Great reviews! What is the tire size, brand and wheel brand?

Did you paint those wheels? If so, what color?

Great Video.

I appreciate the long term review. i also think aesthetically that black stuff matches soft top better for these Florida rays

Great reviews and testing. We’re the test subjects run through Wash cycles too?

Hmm...WHat size bottle for all four fenders and door handles..And will that stuff take the abuse of door handle use..

Honest question, would it be easier to just sand it, prime it then paint it with Rust-Oleum trim and bumper with rattle cans?

The hest gun dod pretty good too?

Nice job.

You could just paint the flares with rubberized black trim paint from walmart. Permanent fix.

Heat gun and Kwiki black shoe polish

Have you tried a homemade mix: 1part boiled linseed oil and 1part mineral spirits?

Can you get the cracking off the cerakote? Just bought it for my new jetta and am about to put it on but the cracking has me concerned if that’s semi-permanent.

Appreciate the vid man!

Turtle wax ice? Sure, it's only a "wax". Our cx-5 has a large amount of black trim and it does ok. I really need to attack it with novas plastic polish #2.

I would add that forever black i a paint and it stains everything around when applying. All other are just plain restorer!

I tried forever black & various other methods/ paint & nothing held up. Ended up dropping $100 on some Crown flares. Thanks for the testing. ✌️

Are you going to Jeep Beach this year in Daytona Beach?

Those trims are grey from factory!

I told you this last time and you never responded . The as seen on TV "wipe new" stuff is the best . I have had mine now for 2 years now and many car washes . Still looks great .

Nice one 👍

what if you mixed products?

Sonax xtreme plastic restorer gel … made in Germany 👍🏼

I’ve tried black stuff it blows away the comp. I will never use anything else I wish I could buy it at Walmart that’s the only drawback

With great leap on video quality, any thoughts on audio, maybe a wireless lavalier?

Your problems with Cerakote are of your own making. You applied too much of every product. There was no need to apply a second coat of Cerakote..that's why you see the cracking and it's so shiny. It looks like hell. One coat and then knock it down/even it out with a microfiber cloth after a few minutes. You have to have a feel for the application of some of these products and you lack that. I won't use anything else...either on my cars or my friends and I've never results that bad

What lift and tire size is that Jeep running?

Still missing OVERCLOCK3D!!! 😔

🏆🏆🏆👍🙏🇨🇱 Thank you for sharing.

Thanks so much for doing this video!! I have tried a few things but have not tried the ones you showed that work well. Thanks again and also...... Get a haircut : )

So you matched your top. What do you use to condition and protect your top?

Black stuff looks like it has a brown tint. Forever black is black. My choice forever black.

What wheels are those?

7:10

Speaking of trim, you need one boss

Ceracote is like black paint in can, don't like it...

I really hate to be the to tell you that you had identified the panels BACKWARDS and the chemicals! Sorry?

First never use a heat gun to restore you plastics because what causes the issue in the first place is the Sun causes the oils in the plastic to rise to the outside & evaporate when you use the heat gun you draw oils from deep within the plastic to the surface to expedite that process drying out & make the Plastic extremely brittle. Also Cerakote when applied in a thin even coat on textured trim isn't shinny or crack like yours did. The bottle line what is also required for trim to last is some kind of UV protectant which none of these products have.