clean/seal plastic body panels?

toddious · April 29, 2010

I have a 2002 explorer with the gray plastic body panels for the front/rear bumper, and running down the lower sides of the truck. This gray plastic looks slightly faded, and I was wondering what can be done to give this a better look. Is there something like an armor-all that will give it some luster? I looks dry, and would look better with something that gives it a "wetter" look. Anybody use anything with good results? Thanks in advance!

ncranchero · April 30, 2010

I cleaned mine with Westley's Tire Cleaner and applied Back to Black. Looked good until the first rain .......

My intentions are to experiment on a broken piece with a heat gun. Haven't had time yet though. Heat restores the color/finish on "some" plastics but you have to be real careful.

Here's a windshield post moulding I got from the salvage yard.

toddious · April 30, 2010

that funny that you mentioned using tire cleaner, because that's what caused me to ask this question. I had actually put some tire shine on my tires, and when I drove the truck an hour later, some of the shine ended up spraying off the tires onto the bumper as I drove. It left some spots, but the plastic actually looked better where the spray ended up.

I had considered just using tire shine on all the plastic, but I didn't know what kind of long term effect that might have. I'm not sure if there is an armor-all for these exterior panels or not...... but the plastic looks very dull, and could use some shine to add some luster...

BigRondo · April 30, 2010

I use Black Magic Tire stuff on mine. It lasts longer than 1 rain storm but has to be re-applied. I have done some research on the forum and I'm guessing that the only real solution is replacement or painting.

Unless........ncranchero is that piece you showed as the result of using a heat gun? :salute:

ncranchero · April 30, 2010

BigRondo said:
Unless........ncranchero is that piece you showed as the result of using a heat gun?

It is........

I got out one of my old pieces of gray cladding and tried out the heat gun on it today. I'll let you be the judge of the results.

In the outside sun light:

Inside the shop, with flash:

The heat gun I use:

I don't know what results you would get from, say, a hair drier. This is one bad mammyjammy heat gun. Used to light my cigarettes with it, before I quit. It will melt the earth! Extreme care I have to use or I'll just melt the plastic.......

Bottom line, this works! Guess I'll be doing mine soon!

bp1506 · April 30, 2010

Heat gun is a good tip. seems to look better at least in photos. I just use tire shine on my plastic pieces too

BigRondo · April 30, 2010

That is a hell of a heat gun! I have one that I use for underground splicing and heat shrink tube, etc. I wonder if it will work? I'll have to try it after the black magic wears off!! :salute:

toddious · April 30, 2010

those results are really good!

I was thinking about using the same thing, the heat shrink gun. I think it might work, and have less chance of melting the plastic than that commercial grade heat blaster! That thing looks awesome though.

I'll have to give this a try, it will probably be a whole day job if I do all the plastic around the entire truck, but it might just be worth it!

BigRondo · April 30, 2010

Yeah, I agree that the results are good! :thumbsup:

as soon as mine fade again I'm gonna try it. I'll let you know.

clean/seal plastic body panels?

toddious

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toddious

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