Caring for piano black?

Haldex · Jan 24th, 2022, 14:54

Hi all. Just took possession of my new Volvo - another one in RD guise - but as most know gone is the satin silver finish on the mirrors and window trim - replaced by infinite amounts of piano black - the stuff that gets scratched if you look at it for long enough

Used to polish piano black pieces with fine paint polish - but does anyone have a better way for caring for the piano black trim? If it was bigger bits - I would wrap them in transparent vinyl - but window trim is too much work...

Dohnut · Jan 24th, 2022, 15:02

You could ceramic coat them.

Usually the domain of detailers but nothing to stop you doing it yourself.

nu11eaf · Jan 24th, 2022, 15:14

I just wipe my black bits with a microfiber cloth.

rhd443 · Jan 24th, 2022, 16:00

I'm usually obsessed with keeping these things scratch free, they hold up pretty well to just being wiped with a damp cloth and then buffed with a microfibre cloth.

Not like the Tesla glossy plastics, these seem quite strong

Haldex · Jan 24th, 2022, 16:23

Thanks all!

@Dohnut: yes, ceramic may be a good way to prevent swirls and smaller scratches!

Anyone recommend a good ceramic coating?

LRS · Jan 24th, 2022, 16:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haldex

Thanks all!

@Dohnut: yes, ceramic may be a good way to prevent swirls and smaller scratches!

Anyone recommend a good ceramic coating?

I've had a number of my cars completely treated by this company - excellent.

https://www.gtechniq.co.uk/

You can also buy their products online - but make sure you read the instructions very carefully first, before applying.

Familyman 90 · Jan 24th, 2022, 17:06

Piano back is a huge wheeze. Whoever thought of charging extea for acres of shiny, unpainted, injection moulded plastic is a genius.

Director76 · Jan 24th, 2022, 17:55

One definite risk area for this trim is the use of strong traffic film remover chemicals, the gloss black on some makes (BMW and Mercedes are two that I have seen in particular) can be damaged resulting in an oily sheen appearance, which I think can only be machine polished off.

I always decline the service wash and also use safe dilutions of TFR and never let it dwell too long or dry on the trim

D76

Harni · Jan 24th, 2022, 20:09

Another vote for ceramic coating. Protected mine on the last car well. I did the interior plastics as well as around the screen started to get quite scratched

Haldex · Jan 25th, 2022, 09:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Familyman 90

Piano back is a huge wheeze. Whoever thought of charging extea for acres of shiny, unpainted, injection moulded plastic is a genius.

Exactly!

Anyhow, the ceramic coating seems like a most reasonable idea. I’d do it myself - so starting to look into options.

On that note - should I allow a month or so (like with polishing/waxing..) for the factory paint to cure well, before applying the ceramic coating?

Jan 24th, 2022, 14:54	#1
Haldex Premier Member Last Online: May 6th, 2024 19:46 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Paris	Caring for piano black? Hi all. Just took possession of my new Volvo - another one in RD guise - but as most know gone is the satin silver finish on the mirrors and window trim - replaced by infinite amounts of piano black - the stuff that gets scratched if you look at it for long enough Used to polish piano black pieces with fine paint polish - but does anyone have a better way for caring for the piano black trim? If it was bigger bits - I would wrap them in transparent vinyl - but window trim is too much work... __________________ V60 D3 V60 D5 RD XC60 D5 RD AWD XC40 B4 RD AWD

Jan 24th, 2022, 15:02	#2
Dohnut Senior Member Last Online: Today 07:37 Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Kent	You could ceramic coat them. Usually the domain of detailers but nothing to stop you doing it yourself. __________________ MY22 XC90 R-Design Pro B5D (Sensus): Pine Grey / Lounge Pack / 360 Camera / Wireless Charger / Retractable Towbar

Jan 24th, 2022, 15:14	#3
nu11eaf Premier Member Last Online: Today 11:44 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Yorkshire man living in County Durham	I just wipe my black bits with a microfiber cloth. __________________ XC90 Inscription D5 Power pulse, 2017 MY, Savile grey, Blond Nappa, Leather dash/door tops, Walnut inlays, Dark tinted windows, Air suspension, Bliss/Cross traffic alert, Xenium/7 seat comfort/Family/Winter packs, 4 zone climate, Heated rear seats.

Jan 24th, 2022, 16:23	#5
Haldex Premier Member Last Online: May 6th, 2024 19:46 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Paris	Thanks all! @Dohnut: yes, ceramic may be a good way to prevent swirls and smaller scratches! Anyone recommend a good ceramic coating? __________________ V60 D3 V60 D5 RD XC60 D5 RD AWD XC40 B4 RD AWD

Jan 24th, 2022, 17:06	#7
Familyman 90 The Brit Brick Last Online: Aug 13th, 2023 09:39 Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Warwickshire	Piano back is a huge wheeze. Whoever thought of charging extea for acres of shiny, unpainted, injection moulded plastic is a genius. __________________ *2005 C70 2.4T Collection convertible. 40,000 mile sunny day toy.*

Jan 24th, 2022, 16:00	#4
rhd443 Senior Member Last Online: May 17th, 2024 14:24 Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: UK	I'm usually obsessed with keeping these things scratch free, they hold up pretty well to just being wiped with a damp cloth and then buffed with a microfibre cloth. Not like the Tesla glossy plastics, these seem quite strong

Jan 24th, 2022, 17:55	#8
Director76 Master Member Last Online: May 15th, 2024 23:55 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Shrewsbury	One definite risk area for this trim is the use of strong traffic film remover chemicals, the gloss black on some makes (BMW and Mercedes are two that I have seen in particular) can be damaged resulting in an oily sheen appearance, which I think can only be machine polished off. I always decline the service wash and also use safe dilutions of TFR and never let it dwell too long or dry on the trim D76 __________________ ————————— MY21.5 XC90 T8 Recharge R-Design \|Bright Silver\|Lounge\|BLIS\|HK Tech\|Family\|Towbar\|

Jan 24th, 2022, 20:09	#9
Harni Junior Member Last Online: Apr 4th, 2024 21:28 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Poole	Another vote for ceramic coating. Protected mine on the last car well. I did the interior plastics as well as around the screen started to get quite scratched

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