Trim Coating | FAQ's | Discussion

[Dan@Adams]

Adam's Ceramic Trim Coating | Darkens and Protects Exterior Trim

 

 
Adam's Trim Coating is a durable ceramic barrier that darkens and keeps trim looking new for a minimum of one year. Use it on plastic side mirrors, wiper cowls, bumper inserts, and even rubber trim around windows, leaving a nice satin, semi-gloss appearance. Once cured, the coating provides excellent hydrophobic properties that bead and repel water.
 

 
 
FAQ's
 
Q:  How is this product used?
A:  Like all ceramic coatings, preparation and application technique are very important. Read and follow the printed instructions, and watch the product video, prior to trying this product for the first time. Since this coating cures when exposed to air, the initial application needs to be correct.
 
Q:  How is Trim Coating different than VRT?

A:  The Trim Coating is a product that contains ceramics. It soaks into and bonds with the plastic trim, creating a very durable layer of protection that can last up to one year, while also darkening faded trim. VRT is a water-based trim dressing that temporarily improves the appearance of trim while providing some temporary protection. Since VRT is water-based, subsequent washing or rain will remove the dressing, requiring frequent re-application.

 

Q:  Do I really need to do both cleaning steps?
A:  YES! The visible results and longevity of the protection from the coating require that the trim be cleaned thoroughly, first with Tire & Rubber Cleaner, and then with the Coating Prep solution. Even trim on brand new vehicles needs to be clean thoroughly, since new plastics off-gas after manufacturing and leave a residue that would impede the trim coating.

 

Q:  If the trim is really faded and needs two coats, do I wait for the first coat to cure?

A:  No, a second coat can be applied after letting the first coat dry for an hour. However, you are not likely to need a second coat, as even really faded trim that was tested looked great with just one coat.  Unlike sealants and waxes, there is no benefit to layering additional coats of Trim Coating. 

 

Q:  What happens if I get this on the paint next to the trim?

A:  Wipe any coating off of the paint with the plush towel within 30 seconds, so that it does not cure. If the coating is too sticky or smears when wiping off the paint, use a some Brilliant Glaze on the towel to help remove the product from the paint.

 

Q:  Why is the cure time so long?

A:  The time that it takes for the coating to cure depends on ambient conditions (temperature, humidity, air flow, etc.). The recommended time frame of 24-48 hours would cover the majority of the typical application conditions. However, certainly use common sense (do not apply outside during winter temps). Also be aware that simply having the coating dry to the touch does not mean it is cured. While it might feel dry in 20-30 minutes, the coating needs 24-48 hours to fully cure before getting damp/wet or getting exposed to residue from polishes or sealants that might be used on the paint.
 
Q:  Is this product only for faded trim?
A:  Nope. While this coating will darken faded trim, its a very durable layer of protection that will keep your trim from becoming faded in the first place. It is great for new trim, as it seals up the surface which makes cleaning easier, and it beads water! On brand new vehicles, make sure to clean the trim thoroughly, since new plastics off-gas after manufacturing and leave a residue that would impede the trim coating.
 
Q:  Can you still use VRT over the Trim Coating?
A:   VRT would not be applied over trim that is coated. Since the coating effectively seals the trim, then the VRT would not soak in, and you would likely see the VRT run off the trim and onto the paint when washed or rained on. Plus, the coating would provide all the protection needed.
 
Q:  Can H2O Guard & Gloss be layered over the Trim Coating?
A:   Layering additional protection is not needed. The durability of the coating provides all the protection. It will not be an issue when you apply H2O Guard & Gloss to your paint and it also ends up on the coated trim.
 
Q:  Can the applicator or towel be cleaned and reused?
A:  No. The product cures hard and cannot be cleaned from the applicator or towel, so careful application is important. While additional applicators will be available for purchase, keep in mind that each applicator can be used for more than one application/vehicle, since each has 6 total sides. Just clean and prep all the trim first, then apply the coating to all the trim at one time, so the coating does not cure in the applicator while you are cleaning the next area of trim. The plush towel that is used to wipe any coating of adjacent painted areas cannot be cleaned, so it should be discarded.

 

Q: Can additional applicators be purchased?  
A:  Yes. Replacement ceramic coating applicators can be purchased here: http://adamspolishes.com/adam-s-blue-ceramic-trim-applicator.html 

Q: Why is this product so expensive?  
A:  Ceramic coatings are expensive, and our bottle is 50ml, which will provide enough product for multiple applications/vehicles, provide it is stored and maintained properly. Always replace the cap immediately after dispensing the product onto the applicator each time, and store the product in a cool, dark place.
 
Q:  Why is it only offered in a kit?
A:  Since the preparation/cleaning and application methods and techniques are important and unique for this product, we wanted the kit to have all the items needed to provide a good result. There was concern that initially selling individual bottles of coating and prep solution might result in customers that might not have the other required products, or that their existing towels might have other residues that could impede the cleaning/prep and the application of the coating. In addition, the plush towel that is used for wiping any product off of the paint will need to be discarded, since the coating will cure and cannot be cleaned out of the towel.

 

Q:  Can Trim Coating be used on headlights?

A:   No, this specific type of coating is not designed for application on headlights.

 

Q:  Does it make plastic surfaces like running boards slippery?

A:  No. The Trim Coating can be applied to plastic running board and tailgate step surfaces without leaving a slippery surface. In fact, testing on some of these surfaces actually showed that the surface had a little better grip than prior to coating.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfcCHKSx7yY

 

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS: CLEAN FIRST!

 

It is imperative to have a COMPLETELY clean and de-oxidized surface before applying Adam’s Trim Coating. For the coating to adhere to the surface, work properly, and have a uniform appearance, cleaning is a must. Applying to a dirty surface can cause some areas to look dull or discolored compared to other areas. CLEAN FIRST!

 

1. Move vehicle indoors. Vehicle must remain dry for 24 hours after applying Adam’s Trim Coating for proper curing time.

 

2. Clean all trim to be coated by spraying Adam’s Tire & Rubber Cleaner directly into an Edgeless Utility Towel or onto the plastic trim surface, then scrub the area with moderate pressure to remove all dirt and oxidation. 

 

3. Next, continue the cleaning process by using Adam’s Coating Prep to leave the trim surface bare and free of any residue.  

 

4. Spray Adam’s Coating Prep directly into a second, clean Edgeless Utility Towel or onto the plastic trim surface, then wipe the entire area to remove any excess residue from the Tire & Rubber Cleaner used in Step 2.

 

5. Put on the set of supplied rubber gloves to avoid any coating contact with your skin – Adam’s Trim Coating will make the applicator sticky. 

 

6. Pour several drops of Trim Coating onto the supplied microfiber applicator. Immediately secure the cap back onto the bottle to avoid premature curing of the product inside of the bottle.

 

7. Wipe the applicator onto one trim area at a time, using even pressure across the surface. Ensure that the Trim Coating has a uniform appearance. You may need to wipe back and forth several times to level the coating properly for an even, semi-gloss shine.

 

8. For any excess Trim Coating accidentally applied onto painted surfaces, use a Single Soft Microfiber Towel to quickly wipe away any residue – Do not allow Trim Coating to dry on any painted surfaces! Do not apply any other products to trim areas and do not exposure the vehicle to any moisture for 24 hours.

 

9. Repeat for remaining trim areas. Discard the microfiber applicator afterward. It is a single-use item that will harden as it dries when used with Adam’s Trim Coating. If a Single Soft Microfiber Towel was used to wipe away excess coating from paint, it may need to be discarded as well.

[TheWolf]

Great thread!

If you have a question that you do not see answered above, or need clarification, just post your question and we can add it to the FAQ's above.

 

Here's some links to Trim Coating write-ups:

 

Trim Coating Review by Beemer

 

Trim Coating Review-11 Year Old Volvo DD by BRZN

 

New Trim Coating! by Chris@Adams

[blcksilv08]

Plenty of info in this thread already, thank you.

[avimore]

Great information on here, thanks!

[Tim]

Will there be a replenishing kit in the future? New prep solution, applicator, towels and glove?

[oldfordisbetter]

Where is the product made?

[HFX Detailing]

I am pretty excited about this one. I was going to paint my faded plastic, but might give this a go instead. 

[chops1sc]

Will the Coating Prep be available separately?

[Dan@Adams]

Will there be a replenishing kit in the future? New prep solution, applicator, towels and glove?

 

This is still in discussion and planning. Stay tuned.

 

Where is the product made?

 

Our Trim Coating was developed, tested, made, and bottled specifically for Adam's here in the USA.

 

Will the Coating Prep be available separately?

 

This is still in discussion and planning. Stay tuned.

[moons21]

Is there a recommended temperature range to use this product?  Coming into winter months up here in Canada and want to use this on my wife's Avalanche.

 

Thanks

[shane@detailedreflections]

Dan:

 

Just some food for thought and feedback, but if there won't be a application replenishing kit it would be a deal breaker for me I think. One kit would be plenty of trim product to do the amount of trim on my car and my wife's. I rarely detail both cars at the same time which this product needs a good prep to facilitate a good application. Without the ability to purchase the products needed to apply in a separate application it becomes a task to manage getting this product on our vehicles. Buying a kit for each vehicle is also counterproductive. Not to mention the occasional "detail for dollars" that this product could have a place in...I don't see how you can't offer the products used in application.

 

Hopefully that kit is coming. When it does, I'll be in for the trim sealant. Until then though, I'll stick with my VRT regimen for trim.

 

Just wanted to provide more feedback.

[Beemer]

There is no reason at all why you couldn't "apply in a separate application" with this kit.   The "prep" product that you will use the most is the Tire and Rubber Cleaner - you can get that by the gallon.

 

The coating prep and coating itself will cover A LOT of cars. And the odds are they will run out at pretty much the same time.

 

The only thing I feel they will have to do is offer the applicator separately - although it would not be very difficult to find another applicator that would work just fine. It's just a small sponge covered but a low-nap microfiber cloth (a lot like the old glass towels).  In a pinch you can use an old glass towel as an applicator and toss it after use.

 

I only bought one kit and I have used it twice. I plan to use it again on my pickup when I can spare it for 24 to 48 hours.

 

Really - the only "deal breaker" should be your ability to keep your car under cover for 24 to 48 hours after application. That will be a problem for a lot of folks.  I know I will need to do my pickup in stages because it won't fit in my garage.

Edited November 2, 2016 by Beemer

[Dan@Adams]

I am fairly certain we will be offering applicators and other portions of the kit separately.

 

We currently have a short supply of the applicators in the kit, but other applicators can be used as well, such as the Foam Super VRT Block Applicator or the microfiber block applicators. The Foam block applicators can be cut with scissors to make smaller size applicators if necessary, but the foam will harden almost like Styrofoam afterward. The microfiber applicator block 2-pack isn't as cost effective, but I have used them as well without issue. 

[hemi1300]

I am fairly certain we will be offering applicators and other portions of the kit separately.

 

We currently have a short supply of the applicators in the kit, but other applicators can be used as well, such as the Foam Super VRT Block Applicator or the microfiber block applicators. The Foam block applicators can be cut with scissors to make smaller size applicators if necessary, but the foam will harden almost like Styrofoam afterward. The microfiber applicator block 2-pack isn't as cost effective, but I have used them as well without issue.

 

This was a question I was going to ask, thanks for answering this. My trim kit will be here tomorrow and obviously I am dying to try it out on a small piece of exterior door/window trim to see the outcome and didn't want to toss the applicator after a little test run, so I will use a cut portion of vrt block to test it out

[Beemer]

You won't have to toss the applicator after doing a small section. You'll only use half of one side. There are four sides to the applicator.

 

I did the front grill and rear valance on my Camaro one day and then came back and did the rest of the trim the next day. One applicator. And I can use it again if I want to.

 

I did go through a couple of utility towels that I will launder before reusing.

[Loop]

So far, it seems every example I have seen of this has been on textured plastic surfaces. How does this do on very smooth plastic? Does it still apply evenly? 

 

Also, what about rubber window trim? Is the coating as effective on it and is the durability impacted? Got mine in the mail already but I havent had a chance to try it yet. 

[Beemer]

It works GREAT on smooth plastic. The trim around the windows on my Camaro is smooth and it looks fantastic.

 

However - this is not "polished" plastic.  I have some of that on my F150 pickup between the windows. I will treat that with paint sealant just like the rest of the polished surfaces.

 

I did not put the trim sealant on the soft, rubber door/window seals.  I don't believe that is what this product is for.  I will continue to clean those soft parts with Tire and Rubber Cleaner and treat them with sVRT.

[hemi1300]

My first application didn't turn out well and I am curious if the tire and rubber cleaner will take it off before it cures fully?

[Beemer]

I can't help with the removal because my application worked perfecty. I'm sure the Tire Cleaner is worth a try. I'd also try APC.

 

What happened that went wrong? It couldn't have been simpler for me....

[hemi1300]

Not sure exactly, followed the instructions exactly and tried it out on a rubber exterior window/door molding. It went on perfect and looked great, but after drying had tons of dry streaks in it and not much gloss look at all, looked terrible! Called adams and they recommended brilliant glaze on the rubber trim piece to level it out, gave it a shot and looks much better, but definitely doesn't look like it has a sheen look to it. Nervous to attempt reapplying the coating in fear of my trim piece looking like crap and be ruined

[hemi1300]

Only thing I noticed that I may have done wrong, when wiping the trim piece with Tire cleaner and prep spray, should u keep wiping until the towel is wiping clean? Scrubbed the trim twice with each product and the towel was coming out pure black, should I have kept scrubbing or is that just the nature of black window rubber molding and it will keep turning the towel black using a harsh cleaner?

[redneck08sierra]

Not sure exactly, followed the instructions exactly and tried it out on a rubber exterior window/door molding. It went on perfect and looked great, but after drying had tons of dry streaks in it and not much gloss look at all, looked terrible! Called adams and they recommended brilliant glaze on the rubber trim piece to level it out, gave it a shot and looks much better, but definitely doesn't look like it has a sheen look to it. Nervous to attempt reapplying the coating in fear of my trim piece looking like crap and be ruined

did you apply the trim coating onto rubber?  you said above "on the rubber trim" so am wondering if the trim piece is plastic or rubber

[Mariner]

Personally, I wouldn't apply it to rubber... No idea how to remove it though. Good luck!

[hemi1300]

Yes it was on rubber. Says it is can be used for rubber window trim on the instructions. Don't think I will be trying it on rubber again though, rubber and tire cleaner got it back to looking like dry rubber so think I will just stick with vrt on the window trim

[hemi1300]

If it can't be used on rubber I may be returning it. My truck doesn't have much plastic molding and my main reason for buying it was for the rubber trim moldings and rubber on top of my floor board side steps

[Dan@Adams]

Hi Derek, I'm sorry the Trim Coating gave you issues on the rubber trim! With this product, prep work is imperative to getting good results, which is why we state that in the instructions and video, and provide it as a kit package. 99% of the application is in prep, and 1% is the actual application of the Trim Coating itself, applying it in a light, thin, even layer. A few small drops onto the applicator should be enough to cover a lot of plastic or rubber trim area. 

 

If the Tire & Rubber Cleaner was still turning up black on the towel from the rubber trim, then the rubber is still oxidized. So this brought that dirt and oxidation to the surface, which the Coating Prep then may have removed some but not all. Then going over it with the Trim Coating would most likely cause the issues described. As an example, I've spent 20 minutes before scrubbing a rubber window molding on a C6 Corvette before just because of how horribly oxidized it was, and then I still had to do more scrubbing to get it perfect, so every vehicle can unfortunately be different.

 

There are several factors that could impact how much oxidation is in the rubber trim that may not all apply to your vehicle but they are worth mentioning - How old is the truck in question? Does it sit outside in the elements a lot? Has the trim been protected and treated regularly with something like VRT or In & Out to reduce the chance of it getting dirty?

 

Trim Coating should be safe on rubber moldings, but having rubber and plastic extremely clean first is key to it working properly.

 

It sounds like you were able to remove some of the coating on the rubber trim by using the Tire & Rubber Cleaner before it fully cured, but the Trim Coating is a semi-permanent barrier that is going to be very difficult or not possible to remove once it is applied to some plastic surfaces. You can use Tire & Rubber Cleaner to scrub the area with an Edgeless Utility Towel or a toothbrush (making sure not to scratch the rubber in the process), but once it begins to bond with porous plastic it may not come off until it wears off in a year or so.

 

Please let us know if you have any more questions or email us directly if it's not working out for you and you would like to return it.