What is the best way to restore the original color of the plastic trim pieces i.e. the fender flares, bumper corners, door trim pieces, etc. Any sort of liquid that does especially well at bringing back that color?

 

Mothers makes a product that's called "Back to Black" that works quite well, you just have to keep on reapplying it. Try floor wax (the industrial stuff for buffers and machines and whatnot), it seems to do the trick and it lasts a decent time.

 

Why not just repaint them? tape off what you dont want to paint and go to town.
Or you could take the trim off the side it is just double sided taped on.

 

Thanks for the tip Bowtie! I wish there was a way to more permanently restore the original color. Not that reapplying every couple weeks or so would get too bothersome, I was kinda hoping there would be a more permanent solution.

 

Would there be a certain type of paint that would be best to use?

 

Make sure its for plastic. They have a special flex additive in it just for plastic (usually something for bumpers and stuff is good). Other than that, it's all in the prep work...

 

Has anyone ever tried this product made by Forever Black?

http://www.foreverblack.com/products.htm#bumper

 

I've used the mother's back to black and was not too impressed with it. It streaked and did not last long at all. Just my opinion.

 

That's the general consensus that I've gotten about it from reviews. I've heard that Forever Black is a little bit more of an involved application preparation/application process but warrants much better/longer lasting results.

 

I got a 1989 and i hated the old gray faded color on my fender flares and the side panels so i spray painted them cuz my Jeep is black and they match PERFECTLY!!!

 

what are they on? aren't all cherokee flares painted?

a lot of guys here with yj's and tj's have tried applying heat. some with a heat gun, others carefully with a propane torch. they swear by it.

but i've just used krylon plastic paint. yeah, one of 4 have seem to wash off in 2 years. but they're easy to just tape off and repaint.
you could even just slip some paper/cardboard in behind the lip when you spray.

don't try removing them, you'll probably break most of the bolts.

 

I used it, only lasted a year if that. I painted mine with krylon fusion almost 2 yrs ago and they still look good. I wouldn't waste your money, just paint and be done with them.

 

x2 on Krylon Fusion. If you are looking for an inexpensive solution with very permanent results this would be the way to go. Their satin finish paint looks very good on fender flares, but if you are really looking to make them shine, their gloss finish comes out great as well. And it applies well and dries fast. Very good stuff!

 

Heres another option black plastic renewal Black WOW Kinda expensive tho!

Or you could paint them with stuff called Plasti-dip which doesn't require any prep except a good cleaning with alcohol. Its a great thin rubber coating the looks pretty good IMO and you can get a rattle can at your local hardware store.

 

I just re-painted my last summer and they look great. I had some Rustoleum flat black from doing my roof rack and just used it. Even including taping everything off it only took an hour or so. I also did my bumpers while I was at it. Having all the trim and bumpers black instead of faded grey really sharpened up the Jeep, I was amazed at how much better it looked!