Restore Faded Plastic Trim Penetrol Vs Boiled Linseed Oil 

UPDATE: One year later:ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BLHJ38MInF0.html

Having worked at a shop in the desert that specialized in off-road vehicles I do not recommend using a heat gun on plastics or linseed oil (alone). The plastic fades because of UV exposure and the oils in the plastic coming to the surface, oxidizing and flashing off into the air. By using a heat gun method you typically clean off the oxidation and then pull the oils in the plastic back to the surface. The problem with this is over time the plastic will become very brittle. By using linseed oil alone it can not penetrate into the plastic very well and simply dries on top. The penetrol however, because it has a solvent, penetrates INTO the plastic thus replenishing lost oil back into the plastic. Bottom line use Penetrol and then a UV inhibitor such as 303.

I used Penetrol (3 coats after complete drying) and got fantastic results! Go to stuff! Use a cloth to avoid streaking and plenty of ventilation. You should wear a mask. You don’t want to breath the fumes! Rubber gloves, too. So happy with the results!

Let me add something to the discussion, Penetrol is also excellent rustproofing...wire brush the loose rust off and 2 coats and it will not rust. Its original use was the NAVY used to dry dock their ships and sand blast the hulls, penetrol then primer and paint...back in the ocean for 7 years.

I used Penetrol on a faded, black TJ hardtop I had, and wow, what a difference! Looked amazing

I fought this battle for ever; bought all kinds of stuff, tried ‘hacks’ and so on. Then one day I took all the plastic off of my car, taped off all I couldn’t remove and painted it with a flat black spray paint. Twenty years later it still looks good. I have a foxbody Mustang that all the black trim looks brand new on. Just five up the fight- wash the parts with Dawn dish soap several times, when dry clean it with prepsol or denatured alcohol and put two to four light even coats on the part. I have done the same on my wife’s pilot, and I have a 2019 jeep that is about to have the cowling vent tray painted. I used two different chemicals on it when I washed it, but the sun in Alabama cuts through that stuff. Paid your trim, thank me next year

I WAS GOING WITH THE PENETROL FROM THE START ... USED IT MANY TIMES ... NEVER FAILED!

I sure miss the '70's when all of that was chromed

I use that Rust-Oleum trim and plastic paint in a rattle can. It's literally lasted for years in the Florida sun and still looks good. I disassembled the grill and everything and gave it a good spraying after cleaning it up. I did a complete video about it too. Of course the video went nowhere except probably down the RU-vid toilet that stuff works. It seemed like every royally thing that I ever put on the plastic parts just washed off eventually.

Good comparison video. Thumbs up. Now we need a video on how to fix that faded Ford logo.

I just used Old English on my trim, and it came out great.

Great video, a 50/50 mix of the two together gives the best results.

The best thing I have ever used are those Ceramic wipes applied them last August to my wife's car and they still look great at almost a year later and I live on the east coast and it's seen many washes and winter salt

This looks fantastic so far. Just as good as new. Now the wait to see how it holds up. I am on day three, so it hasn't gotten my shout it from the mountains recommendation yet. If it stays looking close to this for.10 months, then it certainly will.

I was talking with a guy at the gym last night about our muscle cars. He told me back in the 90’s he and his dad won 2nd or 3rd place mainly because they used Penetrol in the engine area. So. Off to RU-vid to find you. Great video. I’ve used BLO in the past but was left with a tacky surface for a while. On ATV plastics, smooth plastic, I’ve used Harbor Freight’s torch to heat up the plastic. After sanding off the white oxidized area, the torch leaves a showroom glossy finish that has lasted for 12 months. Just wanted to pass that on. Thanks so much for your video

I had no idea. Thanks for the video!

Very nice info... I am going to hit my 2013 Exterra!

The best product I ever used on clouded faded trim is a ceramic wipe on from Cerakote. I put it on my truck a year ago and it still looks like new. Highly recommended.

Amazing, thank you!

I used the boiled linseed oil and thinner 60/40 mix and a sponge applicator and it last all year

Mix 50:50 clean engine oil with lacquer thinners in a jar and wipe on. Cheap, gives the same appearance to trim as Penetrol, and it lasts a good while (maybe not as long as Penetrol, but at the price you can reapply as often as you want). The thinners helps the oil penetrate, and also avoids a sticky finish that dust will cling to.

Excellence !! Thanks

I added 25% white spirit(mineral spirits in the US) to boiled linseed oil. It seemed to help absorption and dried quicker with no sticky residue.

amazing!

I use BLO for wood working and it definitely matters how you’re applying it. You want thin coats. I cut my BLO with mineral spirits (3:1 BLO:Spirits) or you’ll get thick parts that won’t dry fast enough and get gummy. You’re supposed to buff it off after the wet shine starts to dull but before it gets gummy. I live in Arizona so BLO dries to touch in a matter of hours (consider using something else in high humidity locations). ALWAYS wear gloves when handling store bought BLO because they use metallic dryers to help them cure faster that absorbs into our skin.

Looking forward to your follow up video. I'm curious as to whether treating with penetrol, and then hitting it with a heat gun a day or so after would help with deeper absorption into the trim for longer lasting effect?

Penetrol gives cold rolled steel an nice patina that lasts for a couple of years in desert decorations.

How flammable 🔥

What do you know? I thought I was the only one using Penetrol on my plastic parts. Good demonstration!

Good info

Tire treatment works also!

I tested this idea several years ago on a neighbor’s Toyota Tundra’s faded front bumper. Used Floetrol, a latex paint additive, instead. Worked fine. If you treat plastic trim regularly with silicone tire shine it won’t fade. I applied it to exterior black plastic and rubber on my ‘84 Peugeot 505. After 25 years it looked new.

Over time, does the Penetrol chip off or flake or does it wear evenly on the ABS plastic? What about the shine, does fade slowly or holds up well? Thanks.

Hey, thank you. Good to know.

Great video thank you for sharing, I would like to see a follow up video 6 moths and one year,

Thank you!

Looks like the RU-vid algorithm got me. I've been looking for plastic restorer for my wife's 2012 Honda and my 2003 F150. DEFINITELY going to give penetrol a try. Bonus, my wife works at Home Depot. Thanks!!

GUYS LISTEN! Half diesel and engine oil, best shit you will ever use! My jeep jk has alot of black trimming including the bumbers and the wheel wells, it makes black look like brand new intead of that ugly faded-dry look, get a spray bottle with a long hand nosle and spray your wheels wells. Works on plastic and metal. TRY IT. LET ME KNOW

Years ago I tried automatic transmission fluid on my exterior plastic and rubber parts after seeing a part of my bumper which I had spilled a drop of ATF onto still looking "restored" after a few months. Still looked like new after 10 months which is when I sold my car.

wow !

Impressive results and improves the truck no end. Just been online to see if we can buy Penetrol here in the UK and yes it can for £111 ($133) two quarts! Looks like I'll look for some other similar product 🙂

Penetrol is very expensive in the UK boiled linseed oil is about £10 for 500ml

Try some on the headlights?

How long does it last?

If you want faster-drying linseed oil, Linspeed is 50% boiled linseed with 50% mineral spirits. It dries FAST. First time I used it, it dried too fast...

Would you look at that rust-free Georgian Ranger?! Nice work, brother 👍 Now what you gonna do about those yellowing headlights? 🤪

Has anyone restored burl wood look plastic boat instrament panels? Its shiny look is faded badly. I saw a few methods but whats tried and true the worked best? Acetone heat or heat gun ? a permanent fix . Or wet sand and clear it

Baby oil works just as well and in you have a vehicle with faded paint it will bring back the shine to the paint it will last on the paint for about three washes and on The faded plastic maybe six months

If you heat the plastic with the heat gun slightly before applying it, it will penetrate deeper and last longer

The before and after are amazing. How well is the treatment lasting though?

I have a hunter green aluminum garage door that has become faded in 20 years. I tried Armorall and it does a decent job but is blotchy...paint still great underneath. What svould I use that will look good and not need a lot of care? I was thinking car wax but it doesnt last. Thanks.

ON WOOD-I have used both as a final finish-kinda like varnish-the Penetrol is far superior and more durable-even on the wood deck of a large sailboat

Penetrol has a penetrating power 3 times that of water, it goes deep into the substrate and forms a strong bond for subsequent topcoats. I swear by it... artists use it to seal rusty outdoor sculptures etc, vehicle restorers use it to seal rusty parts/panels for a lasting patina, it's used to thin paint, it's used on vehicle chassis as a rust inhibitor prior to painting... it's uses are limitless!!!

I live in Florida with intense heat and sun. How long will the Penetrol last on plastic parts before it turns back to a faded mess again?

Best to use is Mineral oil

What about if it gets on the paint? Do you wipe it off immediately? Just curious as I had issues using it near glass and paint to where I'd smear it lol

When your doing trim and get a little on the paint does it come off the paint ok. Are does it leave smear marks on the paint for good

I use penetrol on raw steel which protects it from rusting, outdoors, for at least a year.

That $13 bucks added $2000 in resale value to that truck. Great info!

Thanks for the comparison! I wonder if there is any difference between Penetrol for latex paints and those for oil-based paints?

Related video showing 10 month later results of Penetrol application on my 95 Honda Accord.. Not the best quality video but it will give you an idea as to how long the Penetrol lasts.. AND I WILL POST ONE YEAR LATER FOLLOW-UP VIDEO ON THIS RANGER IN MID SEPTEMBER: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-adFWRHFalQY.html

I've found that all of the ways to do this never seem to last for more than a few weeks, top. How is the Penatrol holding up over time?

How long does the Penetrol last before it needs recoating? Is there any downsides to the condition of the plastic part a year or two down the road?

How long before the penetrol fades? Does this need to be done yearly?

I long will these two last ? Does one last longer ?

I tried using Penetrol on my 2020 Toyota Sienna. It only lasted 2 days before reverting back to its old oxidized self:(

Great video, thanks for sharing. Curious question. After the initial application of the Penetrol how often do you have to reapply? After each washing or every few months? Thanks again.

How did it look after 6 months? Quick pic would be nice. Blessings.

Just tried the Penetrol. Once dry gave no change. Put it on 3 times to give it a chance and nothing. Might as well have been water

I have one more product you might try. Seal Krete by Rustoleum, is polymer link for paint and cement / mortar and concrete sealing .. of all things.. It makes a nice vinyl shell top coat. Add it to the other products you tried to make them perform better and last longer.

How long does the treatment last PBM ??? I will try it on my own vehicle Sir.

How is it holding up to washes

Looked up the msds on penetrol, the solvent is just naphtha. >50%,

How long does this last before you have to reapply?

Boiled Linseed Oil can take weeks or months to dry unless there is a dryer mixed into it. Sometimes it never really dries on wood.

Now that its been a year, how did these hold up over time?

Good video. Thank you with a sub/likie

Which one lasts longest ?

Where can u buy this stuff .?

Question is How long does it last ?

How long does it last, is my big question.

How does it hold up to washing?

How long does it last hours days or weeks

Linseed oil + paint thinner to dry faster.

What is uk equivalent of penetrol?

Where does one get both products?

I used to use Penetrol to thin varnish to put on Teak Wood. The Penetrol slows the drying time and allows the varnish to lay out nice and smooth before it dries. I had very good results many years doing this on the Teak on our boat. The problem with Penetrol was that once you open the can, it seems the air that gets in will be trapped once you put the lid back on. Air in the can seems to harden up the remaining Penetrol in the can making it useless. Maybe someone here knows how to keep this from happening?????

It's been 8 months since you did this. How is the finish holding up now? Can you show us some recent images?

ATF works quite well and it’s super cheap.

I was hoping you were going to show how long they last... maybe including car washes

A propane torch works wonders on faded plastic.

Does Floetrol work the same as Penetrol?

Doesn't that stuff dissolve plastic?

Hiw long will it last?

You’ve stumbled across the old Nu-Vinyl formula.

Heat gun lowest temp setting go of the plastic slow with a constant movement will work right?

Question is: How long does it last?

so show us a wear video a couple months later??

Just use a heat gun or a torch

Penetrol is better than Linseed Oil