Topic: Forever Black?

[GreenAcres]

During the mod day in SD a few months ago there was a yellow rig with bumpers that looked better than new. Super black, but also, if I remember right, they had a kind of (very fine) sandpaper texture to them.

I think the product folks use to get our bumpers etc. black again is "Forever Black". I can find that but it just seems to come in regular finishes, not the textured kind.

I'd be interested in your experience on this topic, what products you've used (not Amor-all and the like, I'm not looking for a spray that just wears off), and if you are aware of any textured finish options. Thanks.

[JeffBett]

Rattle can truck bed liner paint.  I have had no problems with it.  Be careful not to get any car wax on it though.

https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-248914-Automotive-15-Ounce-Coating/dp/B003CT49B2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1491504946&sr=8-3&keywords=truck+bed+liner+paint

[JFanaselle]

I used forever black on my rear corner plastics a few months ago. It is definitely not textured, and it's not supposed to physically coat the surface like paints or other coatings. It's basically like a leather dye that is designed to penetrate the pores of the soft plastic and change it's color. It does sound like what you saw was in-fact spray on bedliner, as Jeff suggested.

That being said, I didn't have the greatest experience with the forever black, and I'm not really sure why. I read dozens upon dozens of reviews, and watched multiple YouTube videos about how to apply it correctly. As with any project like this, the preparation work is the key to a good result. I spent a full day cleaning my plastics - first with goof off, then with alcohol, then very thoroughly with soapy water, and finally with the cleaner product that came with the forever black. I wanted them to be 100% free of wax, armor all, or any other product that had been used on them previously.

I ended up having to apply several coats to eliminate streaking, but I chocked this up to my plastics being in pretty poor shape to begin with. Ultimately, I used a foam roller to get even coats that didn't streak (this was recommended in many of the reviews). They looked BEAUTIFUL for a while, but I've recently noticed that the product is now flaking off in spots. Clearly, it coated the surface rather than penetrating it. I'm not sure what I did wrong.

Here's what they looked like when I did them. In the first few photos, you can clearly see the steaks when I did the first couple of applications with the foam brush (before using the roller): http://www.sccxterra.com/smf/index.php?topic=2455.msg48945#msg48945

[JeffBett]

Actually I had used the forever black stuff on the side plastic strip (across the doors) and the door handles.  It took about 20 coats to fully blacken it without streaks.  I had the same experience as you Joe.  It is holding up on the main door strips so far but came off the door handles already.  I'll probably mask and spray paint the main strip once the stuff wears off but I am not sure what I will do on the handles as I would not want them as rough as the bed liner.  I'll probably just spray them with matte black spray paint.  After doing the side strips I had decided there is no way it was going to work on the large bumper area so thats why I switched part way through the blackening project.

[GreenAcres]

Okay, thanks guys. That certainly helps in that now I know FB is not the answer. While it would be great if the owner of that other yellow X could confirm what he used, in the meantime I'll probably just go ahead with the Rustoleum. After all, what's the worst that could happen?

[JeffBett]

The Yellow X is Dave and he only visits this site like once a month.  He used the Rustoleum rattle can truck bed liner since that what I had done and he went off from me.

https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-248914-Automotive-15-Ounce-Coating/dp/B003CT49B2/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1492438985&sr=8-9&keywords=truck+bed+liner

[GreenAcres]

The Yellow X is Dave and he only visits this site like once a month.  He used the Rustoleum rattle can truck bed liner since that what I had done and he went off from me.

https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-248914-Automotive-15-Ounce-Coating/dp/B003CT49B2/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1492438985&sr=8-9&keywords=truck+bed+liner

Thank you very much, just what I needed to know. I have done the front bumper in Rustoleum Textured, but that may be too "sticky" in terms of it holding dirt, wax or whatever. I'll see how it wears and keep the bedliner option in mind for the other bits. (Plus the Textured cans refuse to spray right, they clog up very quickly and become unuesable).

[CAWoody]

If you are looking for a bed liner paint I would recommend Monstaliner.  I have it on the lower half of my rig and it has been great.  It has a heavy orange peel finish which makes it easy to clean.  If you are looking for a rough texture they recommend waiting between coats.  Cost wise, it was under $300 for two gallons.  I only used one for what I did, you can see it on my build page.

[GreenAcres]

If you are looking for a bed liner paint I would recommend Monstaliner.  I have it on the lower half of my rig and it has been great.  It has a heavy orange peel finish which makes it easy to clean.  If you are looking for a rough texture they recommend waiting between coats.  Cost wise, it was under $300 for two gallons.  I only used one for what I did, you can see it on my build page.

Yep, saw your build page/X, thanks. But did I hear your right that monstaliner didn't work so well on your bumpers?

[CAWoody]

I don't think I prep'ed it right.  Since painting them I've hit a few rocks (and a tire) and it peeled the paint back.  On closer inspection, I don't think I sanded the plastic well enough for good adhesion.

[JeffBett]

Part of my theory with with rattle can style is that it will get scraped, etc and I would be able to touch it up easily enough.  Same with the Plasti Dip on the rims.