How to Paint a Rubber Strip on a Car

Clean the trim with a mixture of mild detergent and water. Scrub the trim with a small brush or abrasive pad to remove dirt, grime and debris. Allow the rubber to completely dry.

Protect the surrounding area of the car with newspapers and masking tape. Protect your hands with latex gloves or work gloves when applying the dye.

Purchase a bottle of black trim dye. Two types of dye that work well on rubber trim are Forever Black Trim Reconditioning Dye and Leatherique Dye. They are available at your local home improvement store or auto parts store.

Turn the bottle upside down. The dye will flow into the applicator on the bottle. Press the bottle into an old rag until the dye begins to flow. Apply the dye to an inconspicuous part of the rubber. Check the color. Carefully apply the dye to the rubber strip.

Examine the strip and the surrounding area. Make sure the dye is smooth and evenly distributed. Wipe off excess dye that may have inadvertently gotten on the car.

Repeat the process after the dye has dried, which will take approximately 20 minutes. Repeat the process two more times.

Clean the trim with a mixture of mild detergent and water. Scrub the trim with a small brush or abrasive pad to remove dirt, grime and debris. Allow the rubber to completely dry.

Protect the surrounding area around the rubber trim with masking tape and newspaper.

Purchase a spray can of black car trim paint. Car trim paint is available at your local home improvement store or auto parts store. Select a trim paint that is specifically designed for auto detailing.

Apply several light coats of paint to the rubber trim. Hold the spray nozzle 8 to 10 inches above the rubber trim. Apply a light and even coat of paint to the trim. It is easier to control the quality of the paint job by applying several light coats rather than one heavy coat. Allow the paint to dry between coats.