Gtechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer | Prep, Application and Results

[@guysubmarinerguy9387]

I’ve watched half a dozen or so videos on using Gtechnic trim, and this is by far the most comprehensive 👌🏻👍🏻👏🏻

[@davidsteel8468]

I wouldn’t use any other trim restoration after using this one. It’s brilliant. I bought a 10ml one for my 2021 Yaris which to be fair there aren’t a lot of plastics. I did it when it was virtually brand new. I then did my son’s Cooper S and there’s a lot of plastic on that. But the 10 ml did both cars and no more. Good thing is it spreads well and a few drops covers a good area. Great video as always Heather 👍

[@deadly_ufa0783]

Update ?

[@PCPartnersUK]

Best comprehensive demonstration I've seen. Now all I've got to do is wait for a dry day!

[@brianmcallister114]

Another great video. Thank you, Heather for a very professional and comprehensive review of what I presume is a relatively new product. What I like about your videos is that you not only give us basic info about products or procedures but you answer questions that might arise from we DIYers. Thus, we are just about fully prepared with the knowledge of a professional to back us up. By the way, Happy New Year and all the best to you in '25.

[@danieldiamond7790]

Applied C4 to a few motorbike chain guards about a year ago. Still going strong and that's in an environment with plenty of grease, strong cleaners and lubes. Great product. I've been using lint free makeup pads for all the rougher bits of ceramic coating (trim, inside wheel spokes, etc..) and they work great for how cheap they are, no issues with high spots or inconsistent patches.

[@AutoCareHQ]

That’s impressive, I’d be happy with a year I reckon!

[@ushuaiaice2804]

I have used furniture polish on the black trim of land rover and it works perfect .looks as good as new .

[@karl3927]

Thank you for the video - greatly appreciated. The GTechniq trim restorer certainly looks some impressive stuff. Keep up the good work.

[@AutoCareHQ]

Thanks Karl! It's looking really good so far, I think it'll be a very worthwhile purchase if it manages to achieve the durability claim of 1-2 years

[@tmphotography8443]

Something Id consider on the newer cars we own , both have black grills but no real other black trim but something to consider to keep the plastics looking as lush as the panels . Another good , clear video Heather

[@AutoCareHQ]

Cheers Andy, I think it’d be a good idea for newer cars, I regret not using it on my car when I first bought it to be honest

[@richard73]

Use G4 myself,it worked great for me. I use all Gtechniq products on my car and they work really well 👍👍

[@AutoCareHQ]

I’ve only tried a few Gtechniq products now but all have worked very well

[@ptravz]

Uaed this on my Kadjar, needed the 30ml, it's been on about 18 months and it's still going strong, needed to really clean the plastics but it's worth it, if you have a SUV use something rather than the cotton pads as they break down quickly over a large surface and you lose product. Love your work Heather.

[@AutoCareHQ]

Thanks Paul! Yeah a couple of this pads started to fray a bit on the larger sections actually, I imagine a microfiber cloth/ pad could work well too!

[@samme5513]

Great video Heather mine just came yesterday can't wait to try, trims on my car is really dull thank you so much for sharing the vidio it came just right time for me really appreciated

[@AutoCareHQ]

Great timing! Cheers Sam I’m glad you found it useful

[@peterowen4456]

I had an Mk7 Civic back in the day and the shoddy state of the plastic trims made it look terrible. Most of the stuff I tried lasted a week tops. My current car has less trim and is fairly new and, so far, the plastics are holding up OK but they will get worse. Thanks for testing this product. I'll be following the progress of this with interest. Great video as always.

[@AutoCareHQ]

Cheers Peter :) Fingers crossed it lasts, seems to be looking good after the first couple of washes!

[@nbamford03]

Looks good, I use Gyeon Q2 trim on the interior and exterior trim (I doubt there is much difference between the two). I found around 15 months on the exterior and double that inside. When you consider its only around £40 for 30ml it's well worth it - makes cleaning loads easier too.

[@AutoCareHQ]

The Gyeon one looks really good I was very tempted by that! It definitely does feel like a worth while investment when it should last so long

[@sahhull]

I used 2x coats of Solution Finish on my 20 year old Vauxhall Combo (work van) with almost faded to white black plastic trim bumpers. That was 4 years ago... It could do with another go. If I ever get the time to do it. Its still black but its starting to fade again. Ive noticed that a lot of people, instead of buying a new car, they are chosing to have their old car detailed to give it the 'like new' feel. Its a sign of the times.

[@craigord]

Looks like a good upgrade over a standard temporary dressing 👍🏻 Thanks for the info!

[@AutoCareHQ]

Thanks for watching Craig!

[@davidbutchart6226]

Really good video Heather. Definitely going to try this product on the plastic trim on my T-Roc

[@ronaldwhite0672]

I just put this on my car today as had it a few months. Looks like I followed the correct process!

[@keithlestrange4249]

Been looking into using this product on my focus .... Great info and great video 10/10

[@bluerineimb1148]

Good stuff been thinking about getting C4 for past few months now got a X5 tried other restore products but last about a month then back to worn look your video was just what I needed to watch a job done properly with no fuss or Hollywood if you get my drift so I'm ordering some straight after this text

[@AutoCareHQ]

Thanks for watching and hope you enjoy using C4 :)

[@bluerineimb1148]

@@AutoCareHQ it was a pleasure watching a pro, heather car detailing queen uk

[@oldpirate7434]

Love that voice of yours. Also I use G4 on my car.

[@scottbowditxh7721]

Perfect I now have a mini and it has so much trim I will enjoy watching this and seeing how you get on 👍

[@AutoCareHQ]

Cheers Scott, I can definitely imagine it being a useful product on a mini!

[@tonyosullivan2382]

Perfect 👌 was planning on getting this for the plastic trim on my f10 520d. Was just waiting for the spring to come around. Great video 🤙

[@AutoCareHQ]

Cheers Tony!

[@pahhaw4251]

Great review! You provided all of the info for all of the questions I had! THANK YOU!!❤

[@markusdahmann4107]

You nailed it: prep is king! No bonding - no (lasting) effect. Have You considered using IPA as final step before application? Cheap and easy ...

[@AutoCareHQ]

Yep I've used IPA in the past after polishing my car but thought I might as well use up some of this Gtechniq Panel Wipe for the occasion!

[@PaulDoldenDetails]

Boom 💥 no more grey trim get in there Heather 🔥🔥

[@AutoCareHQ]

It certainly did the trick!

[@j-sonS]

i know this product has been around for a while but i just found it. turned my white oxidized trim black. hope it stays black for a while. everything else i tried only lasted a few weeks.

[@tailtidy8185]

You produce such great and informative videos, thank you and keep well.

[@AutoCareHQ]

Thanks very much for watching!

[@saileshlimbachia3826]

Nice video - thanks for a simple step guide - very well explained !

[@silkstone]

Excellent review, thanks.

[@silksdetailing]

Been interesting to see it’s longevity, personally I’ve not come across a “permanent” trim restore that’s lasted anywhere near its claim time, this being said I’ve not used this product so you could have the answer

[@AutoCareHQ]

Fingers crossed it’s a decent one!

[@13slot28]

My wife drives a Jeep Renegade whose trim perpetually looks dry, I might have to give this a shot.

[@tafl-9198]

0:22 what are those splash guards ? Something you have installed or did they come with the car ?

[@spanielgita]

great video. I have the same car as you and the dulling trims annoy me! I will try this soon.

[@marktrower2267]

Great video Heather 👍🏼👍🏼

[@AutoCareHQ]

Thanks very much Mark!

[@chockydardo]

I've used it on my E46 and it lasted around 18 - 20 months. Prep is the key to having it last. ALL the trim I coated with it looked brand new. I have some more ready to go on when I get a chance.

[@AutoCareHQ]

That’s really good, I’d be happy with a year I reckon. It’s a bit pricey to justify more frequent applications but I’m really happy with the results so far

[@chockydardo]

@Auto Care HQ I thought that about the price too, but over 18 months how many times would you be putting something else on the trim ? I figured for £20 to not be worried about it for months it would be worth it (and it was for me)

[@AutoCareHQ]

Exactly! It's an investment that makes a lot of sense when it offers a lot more than regular dressings which still cost about £10-£15 and need applying weekly

[@Nick-cs9dt]

If prep is so key, what prep is actually required?

[@stephenjones6902]

Great will give it a try thanks

[@raymondhall8629]

Thank you 🙏 very much for the great video and info 😍

[@APASSIONFORDETAILING]

Great product used this alot before on previous cars but tried the carbon collective one too ahain also very good 👍

[@justvin7214]

I just wipe on teak oil, it doesn't last as long but it makes old trim dark again and keeps it from getting brittle.

[@dave2166]

Used an entire bottle on the wife's Kadjar which has acres of plastic... and it certainly worked restoring them to a satiny black. Didn't like those silly pads though as they pretty much disintegrated before I'd done 50% so you need more

[@YA-ee9zf]

I used cerikat a similar product it still looks like new after 2 years of application

[@Audittr2108]

This stuff has been around for years. It must over 10 years when I used it. It does bring back trim to a new look and last as per their claims. It’s just C1 but marketed as a specific trim product.

[@udontnormallyseethat]

Lasted for 2 years on my Mini. Saves messing about with trim dressings every wash!

[@MikesAutoDetailing]

Great video, great review

[@AutoCareHQ]

Cheers Mike!

[@grahamking3602]

Hi heather another great video enjoying your contents keep up the great video's always a thumbs up from me

[@AutoCareHQ]

Thanks Graham!

[@rgsaxo]

Ivehad it on my clio about 2.5 years now, the plastics still look great but I thought it had lost its repellency. Cleaned last week with a brush and surfex and the water beading is back, suppose like any coating it can get clogged

[@AutoCareHQ]

That makes a lot of sense! I noticed it when I used a glass coating last year so I hit it with Garage Therapy decon shampoo and it revived it quite a bit

[@RoadToDetailing]

Very good video Heather! Will be interesting to see how long the trim coating actually last. But seeing that how much you car about your care, with proper maintenance (like you always do), I think it's all on the coating itself to provide what they claim. I personally would prefer a bit more glossier finish, although the factory finish this coating leaves on the trim, looks very very good and fresh. I'm playing with the idea of coating some parts of my car as well, would you have a recommendation for me with a glossier finish, please or do you think 2 layers of C4 would get me there? Thank you very much Heather, and keep it up 🔥

[@AutoCareHQ]

Cheers Viktor! Fingers crossed I get at least a year out of it! It didn't take too long to prep and apply at all, but it is a bit pricey so I wouldn't want to use it too often. From what I've seen of this one it doesn't seem to get any glossier when it's layered. I think it just helps if the trim hasn't gone dark enough after a single layer but it tends to stay pretty matte-looking. I've not tried anything glossier I'm afraid that claims anywhere near this level of durability but I know that Gyeon and Carbon Collective do trim coatings so they might be worth a look at!

[@RoadToDetailing]

@@AutoCareHQ that darkening effect pf each layer makes sense. Thank you for the suggestions of Gyeon and Carbon Collective, I will have a look of them! 🙏

[@paulsire]

Would this work on motorbike buttons, those red ones or is it primarily for black trim? Thanks

[@howie8552]

C4 is brilliant stuff. Expensive, but brilliant

[@AutoCareHQ]

It’s doing a good job so far! I don’t mind paying a bit more if the quality is there!

[@danielbromilow3636]

How would you apply this to a honeycomb grille, for example MK5 golf GTI or MK2 focus ST? Seems like it would be too difficult to get into those areas properly with a cotton wool pad.

[@conwaysdetailing387]

Thanks great video

[@jamescharlton924]

How has this held up? I am looking for a trim restorer and this seems to be the best one out there

[@AutoCareHQ]

It did well, got 12 months out of it before I needed to reapply

[@jamescharlton924]

@@AutoCareHQ thank you! :)

[@worzel1983]

Do you like or have used any of the other products in the Gtechniq range?

[@charlesdouglas2877]

What would you suggest for restoring the the black trim underneath the grill, it's a honeycombed design - Thanks

[@Hellndegenerates]

Lasted 2 years on my Focus trim.

[@Jazzyjay-eu6ow]

Can this be used on rubber window seals?

[@RossT551]

Unrelated to the video Heather, but what protection have you got on the paint? great beading.

[@AutoCareHQ]

I applied the Turtle Wax Graphene and Ceramic Paste wax at the same time as doing the trim. It’s a really good one for water behaviour!

[@Vergaster1]

Does this work on faded dashboard?

[@NickG24]

Hi, the bumpers on my son’s mk4 fiesta are as you can imagine, very faded. I’ve been using Autoglym bumper and trim gel which brings them up great but as you mentioned, doesn’t last long, do you think this would give a big improvement even on plastic that old and faded?

[@AutoCareHQ]

Yep I think this would be a very good option. It could take a few layers of the product to get the right finish but it'll last so much longer than the gel

[@NickG24]

Many thanks, think I’ll give it a whirl!

[@markopetkovic3267]

Can it be used inside the car?

[@Jazzyjay-eu6ow]

Good video would you rate this better than Carpro Perl?

[@AutoCareHQ]

Thanks for watching 😊 I’ve not tried Perl but it’s a pretty different product to this to be honest. I’ve used similar dressings and they only last a few weeks but this one is designed to last for at least a year being a coating rather than a dressing

[@nigelpayne4641]

Hi Heather, just a quick question, seeing how this perform on your trim, could you use it on the tire wall.

[@AutoCareHQ]

I’ve read that it doesn’t do as well on rubber to be honest and I think you’d need a tonne of the product so it’d get pretty expensive. Gtechniq don’t mention it on their website so I’d be reluctant to try it especially without checking with them

[@kwl189]

Wonder how this compares to car pro Perl which is famed for its multi purpose and amazing value for money.

[@AutoCareHQ]

I don’t think Perl is designed to last anywhere near as long as this. I’m used to using similar dressings and found they need reapplying very frequently so I chose to apply this so I didn’t have to do that anymore

[@kwl189]

@@AutoCareHQ I would concur looking at some of the other comments including one user that said this coating lasted him a good 12/18 months. Though I guess I’m less sure of just how long we could expect out of something like CPP. You mention in the video it needs to reapplied frequent, is that every wash? Every five washes? This Gtechniq is on one hand is very good and on the other is slightly concerning given the price of this. Bit of a toss up if it’s worth the extra or not. Maybe if the math is done it’s more conclusive.

[@AutoCareHQ]

I've not tried Perl specifically but regular trim dressings I've tried last a couple of washes before they're pretty much gone on my car but even after one wash they take a hit. I usually wash my car weekly.

[@miguelangelvegamasbernat4944]

Merci beaucoup

[@chrislangwade4245]

Granted there's a chance you won't see this post, but is this product any good for the rubber trims around your windows.. mine are in need of a refurb / refresh but nothing I've used so far ever seems to last longer than a week to ten days at best..

[@AutoCareHQ]

I don't really like it for rubber trims tbh. I usually use Garage Therapy Tyre Serum for rubber trim but it's not super durable, usually lasts around a month

[@chrislangwade4245]

@@AutoCareHQ Thanks for the reply Heather, I'll give this stuff a look...👍👍

[@chrislow123]

Which car dryer do you have??

[@AutoCareHQ]

BLO Air-RS, it’s linked in the description

[@tiggersmith7393]

Good girl, nice video.

[@kimnewling5728]

Cost? Euro/dollar?

[@jeffreyrobert9460]

I actually tried the C4 on the trim of my G37x coupe. It didn’t last more than 1 month.

[@AutoCareHQ]

That seems quite strange, it seems to be lasting well on my car. Maybe it was a dodgy bottle?

[@jeffreyrobert9460]

@@AutoCareHQ I’m not sure, but my car is stored outside in the Florida sun. I prepped the areas well with a degreaser and IPA.

[@b18c5turbogt35r]

how long did it it last

[@AutoCareHQ]

I got 12 months out of it before reapplying

[@GMHowe1]

I used C4on my daughters Kia. I washed the car then used isopropyl alcohol to wipe down the plastic trim then applied the C4 on all the black plastic trim. She drove the car for two years before she traded it in. It still looked great. Last year I used C4 on my suv and it still looks great. C4 is expensive but it works and it lasts, well worth the money.

[@johngriffiths3394]

It's a very good product - but my real-world on an R50 Mini proved 18 months was a realistic max to its darkening and general protection, it's not 'permanent'.

[@stevenjones19-m8i]

Hi Heather,I have tried this and it went wrong, probably my fault, didn't wipe it down.

[@AutoCareHQ]

Ahh that’s gutting, was it patchy?

[@stevenjones19-m8i]

@@AutoCareHQ ,yes I think it was.

[@loman0071]

Ive used it and it fades 👍

[@AutoCareHQ]

I’m hoping for a year or more before it needs reapplying but I’m interested to see how I get on with it

[@kona328WH]

​@@AutoCareHQGreat video. How is the finish now that it's just over a year later? And are you happy with it?

[@AutoCareHQ]

@@kona328WH Thanks for watching :) I got about 1 year out of it before I though it needed a reapplication so I'd happily use it again

[@nps5886]

try a heat gun on the trim

[@nps5886]

@@AutoCareHQ i think its a pyhics thing the heat brings the oils back to the surface then you coulsd apply a protectant to it see how long it lasts may be longer i dont know i dont own a heat gun and the only black trim on my car is the scuttle area

[@sahhull]

@@nps5886 You need to be careful with the heat gun... You can get them too warm and cook the plastics

[@kidda74]

If you cock it up or don't get desired result and want to do it again isopropyl alcohol takes it off easy. 👍

[@mchasearnott]

It was expensive and streaky. A tiny bottle for $35 and it looks worse than the cheaper stuff I bought to finish the job.