How to Polish the Exterior Black Trim on a Truck

Regular maintenance is usually necessary to keep a truck looking its best. Dirt can build up very quickly on a vehicle, and the dirt combined with bird excrement and other debris can wear down the paint and damage the finish. Black trucks tend to show dirt and debris more easily and therefore require more regular maintenance. Polishing the black trim on a truck will greatly help its overall appearance and is a straightforward process.

• 1

  Wash the trim off with a sponge treated with car shampoo and warm water to remove dirt and deposits.

• 2

  Detail-clean the trim with a soft toothbrush if there are any hard-to-remove deposits still left on the trim after the wash.

• 3

  Apply a polish to the trim with a soft pad or sponge. The specific polish will vary depending on the material, since metal, plastic and fiberglass all require a different type of polish. So verify that your polish is intended for the surface you're using it on prior to application.

• 4

  Buff the polish after it's applied by rubbing a soft cloth against it in a circular motion. Rotate the portion of the cloth you're using frequently to ensure the cloth in contact with the black trim is clean.

• 5

  Allow the polish to thoroughly dry and apply another coat if the specific polish instructions require it and buff again. Reapply the polish about six times a year or whenever it looks like it is fading.