Mk 2 restoring the bumpers and arches back to black

[GTI wez]

Just bought myself a mk 2 gti in great condition but the black trims on the poutside need bringing back up any one know of some good stuff ? a mate said that he thinks they were originally grey !!!!!! i hope not, any help guys

[Birksy]

There are two very inexpensive ways you can bring plastic back to its former glory.

First of all if you have a heatgun, gently apply heat to the plastic and you'll slowly see the colour return. Be careful not to put too much heat in one place or you'll end up with very unique bumpers. 

Secondly...  Peanut Butter! Believe it or not, the oils in it are absolutely brilliant for restoring external plastics (although avoid crunchy where possible).

HTH

[Wayne]

I can also recommend autoglym bumper care.

[Neo Badness]

what about that boiled linseed oil?
Haven't tried that myself but supposedly it's pretty good. Just becareful with rag disposal as they can catch fire if left in a pile...

[dragonfly]

Have a look here http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=91049.0

[sharki786]

autoglym bumper care, just did mine a few days ago they where GREY  now looking black, i used a applying pad and a microfibre cloth

[dTEA]

If doing the heat gun, take them off the car obvious but not to all!

It's also the most long term, but also the most likely to cause deformation if not done properly.

[VR6_Wherry]

Take them off the car, plastic primer and Gloss black spray paint

That way one month later when everyone else is re-doing their bumpers, yours are still gleaming 

[dTEA]

Take them off the car, plastic primer and Gloss black spray paint

That way one month later when everyone else is re-doing their bumpers, yours are still gleaming 

gloss black paint??? WTF? Why? You may as well colour code them, but then you have to do the sill bits, and all of the bumper...and then it defeats the purpose of being plastic and stone chip proof non?

[emery1990]

Take them off the car, plastic primer and Gloss black spray paint

That way one month later when everyone else is re-doing their bumpers, yours are still gleaming 

that would look awful