What is the best product for exterior plastic shine / protect?

I am looking for opinions on what is the best product to shine and protect exterior plastics like running boards, fender liners, mirrors, and bumper caps. Here are what have been some of my choices in the past but I would like to know others choices.

Cover All (works great on tires)
Turtle Wax Ice
301 Aerospace
Trim Shine

 

Ceramic coating like GTechniq C4, Carpro Dlux, or Cerakote is by far the best option. Dressing like 303 will wash off in the rain. Fine for interior but garbage on the exterior.

I have gotten well over a year out of exterior ceramic coatings on my Tacoma’s plastic. I’ve found the coatings add some depth to plastic giving it a rich color.

 

I put this shit on everything!

https://getundrdog.com/products/undrdog-pro

I used this coating on all my plastic trim including the wheel well liners, bumper caps, wiper cowl, pro grill, door handles, and bed caps. Looked brand new after I applied the coating and really easy to do.

 

If you're looking for longevity, any ceramic coating will be the best bet. However, if you ever want to get it off for whatever reason, it's a pain.

I personally use 303 on my tires after every wash and love the finish. I have also used it on my tonneau cover, door handles and mirrors with great results. It gives everything a new, deep, matte finish without the shined up/wet look. It also keeps the tires relatively clean so the next wash is much easier, even in dusty or muddy conditions. I find that it lasts a while, not forever. Totally depends how your vehicle is stored (inside vs outside) and how much its driven in inclement weather. Relatively cheap and easy to apply, can't go wrong giving it shot.

 

I have tried so many and none last that long. After a hard rain they all seem to degrade fast, even on newer plastic-2021 Rav4. 303 looks great until it gets washed or rains. I have tried cleaning the plastic better, letting products soak in for hours to a day, doesn't matter.

 

Need to use a coating then. I have gotten over a year out of GTechniq C4 on my Tacoma that lives outside 24/7.

 

Starbrite marine vinyl protectant inside and out

 

I am hesitant to buy expensive products after so many never lived up to their claim. People raved about Solution Finish. It lasted maybe 2 washes or 2 rains.

 

Just cuz it goes away on the surface doesn't always mean it isn't offering some protection. Especially on rubberized material. Some is absorbed and keeps things from becoming brittle. Is a car port an option for you? Mine sits outside facing south, so I treat it frequently with the star brite marine vinyl protectant fairy often. Maybe $75 or so per year to keep it up, not too bad until you calculate it for 15-20 years. Miss the days when nearly everything on a truck including much of the interior was steel or alloy materials.

 

I haven’t used Solution Finish so I cannot comment. I’ve had great success with C4 and Carpro Dlux. Those are the only 2 products I use for exterior plastic. A coating will bond to the plastic unlike 303 which is a dressing that sits on top of the plastic.

 

No car ports at work. It sits outside most of the time.

 

I am now using Undrdog Pro. Cerakote trim coat is also good but has a tendency to be streaky and if you screw up it will remind you of it for a long time.

once coated I use Clutch from Shine Supply to maintain and freshen up.

 

Wipe New does magic for faded plastic and lasts for years.