Front spoiler restoration - Cerakote

[XP900]

My 2010 had some nicks and scrapes on the front spoiler and it was graying much more than my other trim pieces. I ordered a replacement spoiler on EBAY and it looked the same but turned out to be thin and cheap compared to the Ford stock piece. I decided to sand soom of the rough spots and gouges on the old one. I used Turtle Wax Trim restorer on it when done but it still did not look great and the sanded spots were noticeable.

I decided to try using Cerakote Ceramic Trim Coat on it since I had nothing to lose. I know from others that this can be a hit or miss and once applied you are not getting it off. I applied it last summer and it is STILL LOOKING the same as when I applied it and it looks great! It gave the spoiler a deep black satin finish that matches well with the stock side triim pieces. I haven't used it anywhere else on the car since the other trim pieces only have TT Trim restorer used on them.

How I applied it may differ from the directions but this is what I did. I applied three coats to it and waited a while between each coat but did not allow the previous coating to dry completely. I think it was like 15-25 minutes between coats and I saturated the plastic on every coat. Each coat seemed to improve the overall appearance and by the 3rd coat the color was consistent and uniform across the entire spoiler. I think I removed any excess after the 3rd coat had been on it for 20 minutes and then let it dry overnight. The spoiler was removed when I coated it and I applied it to the entire topside of the spoiler...even the unseen mounted surface. It only requires a few of the cloth pieces in the bag to do this. A year later this spoiler still has the same dark satin black finish and that is probably after more than 20 car washes..even power sprays. This product impressed me but I don't know if I have the nerve to try it on my rear trim piece which is slowly fading and requires TT trim restorer frequently.

 

[1Kona_Venom]

My 2010 had some nicks and scrapes on the front spoiler and it was graying much more than my other trim pieces. I ordered a replacement spoiler on EBAY and it looked the same but turned out to be thin and cheap compared to the Ford stock piece. I decided to sand soom of the rough spots and gouges on the old one. I used Turtle Wax Trim restorer on it when done but it still did not look great and the sanded spots were noticeable.

I decided to try using Cerakote Ceramic Trim Coat on it since I had nothing to lose. I know from others that this can be a hit or miss and once applied you are not getting it off. I applied it last summer and it is STILL LOOKING the same as when I applied it and it looks great! It gave the spoiler a deep black satin finish that matches well with the stock side triim pieces. I haven't used it anywhere else on the car since the other trim pieces only have TT Trim restorer used on them.

How I applied it may differ from the directions but this is what I did. I applied three coats to it and waited a while between each coat but did not allow the previous coating to dry completely. I think it was like 15-25 minutes between coats and I saturated the plastic on every coat. Each coat seemed to improve the overall appearance and by the 3rd coat the color was consistent and uniform across the entire spoiler. I think I removed any excess after the 3rd coat had been on it for 20 minutes and then let it dry overnight. The spoiler was removed when I coated it and I applied it to the entire topside of the spoiler...even the unseen mounted surface. It only requires a few of the cloth pieces in the bag to do this. A year later this spoiler still has the same dark satin black finish and that is probably after more than 20 car washes..even power sprays. This product impressed me but I don't know if I have the nerve to try it on my rear trim piece which is slowly fading and requires TT trim restorer frequently.

A how to thread with no pictures?
F a i l

 

[XP900]

Very hard to get pictures because of the angles with the sunlight reflecting off it at different shades. Also in the picture on the pass side the silver stripe on the top part of the bumper had 2 big 1/4" wide and long scratches that the satin silver paint from Ford matched extremely well and covered up better than anything else I tried. The spoiler was sanded in multiple spots on both the left and right sides which left a light grey color. The Cerakote restored it back to a deeper blackish grey color. As this is after numerous washes and it sitting in the sun for most of the summer in the NE. I wash this car at least once a week due to green pollen always in the air.

 

[biminiLX]

I painted mine body color but left the ‘13-14 lower trim OG plastic. I’ll try this on those pieces thanks man it looks good.
-J

 

[XP900]

I painted mine body color but left the ‘13-14 lower trim OG plastic. I’ll try this on those pieces thanks man it looks good.
-J

Your front spoiler seems to have a lower piece attached compared to my 2010. Is that stock and a single piece or a two piece spoiler / splitter on your 2014?

 

[biminiLX]

All ‘07-14 GT500s have the same one piece splitter (the one you refinished and I painted) but the ‘13-14 had a secondary front splitter (3total pieces) you can see unpainted on my car.
Glad your refinishing has held up and looks great.
-J

 

[XP900]

I like the look of that...C8 has something similiar.. I think it would be too low on my car though on NY roads.

 

[1 Alibi 2]

Can I presume you part outside, the front end in direct sunlight ?
While my 14 isn't as old as your 10, my plastic trim looks pretty good & requires no special treatment. A damp rag @ cruise nights, and for car shows I hit it with ( Eagle 1 Nanowax ), for a little extra gloss..
.

.

 

[XP900]

Can I presume you part outside, the front end in direct sunlight ?
While my 14 isn't as old as your 10, my plastic trim looks pretty good & requires no special treatment. A damp rag @ cruise nights, and for car shows I hit it with ( Eagle 1 Nanowax ), for a little extra gloss..
.

.

50 / 50 and try to keep it in the shade but UV will hit it if not in the garage which is rare during the summer. Turtle Wax Trim restorer does a great job but doesn't ;ast like Cerakote does. Then again I have 72K on it now so it gets driven in the summer.

 

[XP900]

Can I presume you part outside, the front end in direct sunlight ?
While my 14 isn't as old as your 10, my plastic trim looks pretty good & requires no special treatment. A damp rag @ cruise nights, and for car shows I hit it with ( Eagle 1 Nanowax ), for a little extra gloss..
.

.

Okay,,,,I have a question. Did you remove part of the your front spoiler..the splitter part that goes underneath on the left and right sides. I ask this because if you look on the earlier responses biminiLX has a 2014 with a two step spoiler. Was this an option for that year or did you simply remove those two pieces?

Do the 2010-2014 all use the same front spoiler and mounting attachment points? It looks like it from all the photos.

 

[1 Alibi 2]

Okay,,,,I have a question. Did you remove part of the your front spoiler..the splitter part that goes underneath on the left and right sides. I ask this because if you look on the earlier responses biminiLX has a 2014 with a two step spoiler. Was this an option for that year or did you simply remove those two pieces?

Do the 2010-2014 all use the same front spoiler and mounting attachment points? It looks like it from all the photos.

Yes, the lower sections were in a box in the trunk when it was delivered. The box moved from the trunk to my basement, been there since Sept. 2013. If installed they would scrape entering my driveway..
.

 

[RickyBobby51]

Here is a plastic restoration technique I saw a while ago:

Quick Tip: Rejuvenate Car Plastics with Fire! Use a propane torch to shine up your plastic trim.

Here we try out the idea of using a propane torch to bring some plastic trim on a Wrangler back to life. Let me know in the comments it this technique has wo...

m.youtube.com

 

[DSG2003Mach1]

Here is a plastic restoration technique I saw a while ago:

Quick Tip: Rejuvenate Car Plastics with Fire! Use a propane torch to shine up your plastic trim.

Here we try out the idea of using a propane torch to bring some plastic trim on a Wrangler back to life. Let me know in the comments it this technique has wo...

m.youtube.com

My understanding is it doesn’t last. It pull up the remaining oil and once it’s done it’ll be worse off

 

[1Kona_Venom]

Here is a veiw of the 13, without the additional pieces. I have them new in box and just opted, (lazy) not to put them on.

My 2011.....splitter looks the same

 

[01yellercobra]

My understanding is it doesn’t last. It pull up the remaining oil and once it’s done it’ll be worse off

Tried that with the heat gun on the back bumper trim on my truck. Lasted about two weeks and looks even worse now.

 

[HillbillyHotRod]

I use mequiars ultimate black and it works good

 

[XP900]

My understanding is it doesn’t last. It pull up the remaining oil and once it’s done it’ll be worse off

I have used this method on a yellow 97 Seadoo XP on the plastic hood and it is amazing but it is a different type of plastic and it lasts a whole season in the sun once polished and waxed.

The spoilers on the GT500 are a cheaper type of plastic and different texture. I do know that it is risky to use on that plastic type since it does pull up any remaining liquids but then ages it even quicker. It might last for a few weeks and then turn a light grey.

 

[XP900]

I just clay barred, polished and ceramic coated my car. Took 3+ days on and off.

The cerakote on the front bumper was starting to show grey on the part that I had lightly sanded a few years ago from an accident.

Instead of using cerakote again....which I tried at first but it did not darken it enough,,,I quickly removed it before it dried.

I tired a newer product called Turtle Was Hybrid Solutions Graphene Acrylic Trim Restorer since I use their basic clear trim restorer in the past on all my black trim which was nice.

I was amazed at what this new product does. IT IS BLACK and RUNNY so if you spill it (the bottle tips easy) it is like spilling paint!! I coated my entire spoiler with it and it turned the gray area the same dark color as the rest of the spoiler to a very dark black. I used two or three coats on it and it dries fast. I then ceramic coated it twice (day between) and it looks great. I then decided to take a chance and use it on ALL my trim...black on bottom, hood air vent, window and door trims, wiper panel areas and the whole rear. All my trim is now a single black color with no graying anywhere. This product and my ceramic topcoat turning it into a satin sheen...not a glossy shine and not the original matte look it had before. I guess I will see how long it retains this look with the ceramic topping in it.

From now on I will probably use this stuff and just make sure I keep my cheap bHF gloves on and keep the top always closed.

 

[850SNCobra]

This stuff right?

I found this on the clearance rack at either Oreilly's or at Ross in the auto section for $7 months ago. I also picked up a trim restorer by Chemical guys that was the same price. Figured I'd do a test on two different pieces to see which lasted longer. I put the turtle wax on my splitter and the chemical guys on the windshield cowl, and the splitter still looks dark black currently and this application was 4-5 months ago with multiple washes since applying with no other protective coatings added. The chemical guys stuff lasted about a month and half, maybe two at the most. The turtle wax option is a good alternative to Solution Finish Trim Restorer.

 

[XP900]

This stuff right?

I found this on the clearance rack at either Oreilly's or at Ross in the auto section for $7 months ago. I also picked up a trim restorer by Chemical guys that was the same price. Figured I'd do a test on two different pieces to see which lasted longer. I put the turtle wax on my splitter and the chemical guys on the windshield cowl, and the splitter still looks dark black currently and this application was 4-5 months ago with multiple washes since applying with no other protective coatings added. The chemical guys stuff lasted about a month and half, maybe two at the most. The turtle wax option is a good alternative to Solution Finish Trim Restorer.

I noticed this is now the only Turtle was trim restorer on their site...the older clear trim restorer is gone. $7 was a good price. A lot of stores seem to be thinning their auto product lines down and carrying fewer brands and products...probably just keeping the products they can make the most profit on.