Plastic re vamp

Paul Rice

Paul Rice

Zorg Guru (V)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Sep 7, 2013
Points
198
Location
Doncaster
Model of Z
Z4 2.5 E89 23
Looking for suggestions please.
Tried several products to get the wiper cover panel back to original, works initially then in no time at all its back to a mottled light grey. Did think about painting it but would like to avoid if possible.
Have taken off and wiped down with white spirit but welcome to suggestions!
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Sure I've seen something about using a heat gun to restore colour to plastics.
 
Plastic, while very resilient, still ages over the years.
Guessing the surface and colour have both been degraded by UV light. The original surface finish as it came out the injection mould isn't there any more.

Unlikely to get it back to original smooth surface without a serious polish of some kind or a new finish applied. The colour will have been faded by UV light. Only a new surface will get both colour ad finish back.

The bumper restorers you get look like some kind of oil that sticks to the surface for a while giving a nice surface for light to reflect off. Sadly, it doesn't last, quickly coming off and exposing the old poor surface underneath. Useful to get a car to look nice if you're selling it, but it isn't a long term fix.
 
I've used some WURTH plastic dye before, worked well, not a shiny finish but certainly got rid off the grey. Comes in a toothpaste sort of tube, quite messy so gloves at the ready
 
Have you tried Autoglym Rubber and Vinyl dressing Paul? It’s good.

Tony.
 
I've had good success in the past with black liquid shoe polish. Cheap enough, get the stuff with a sponge at the top.
 
Agree there Dave. Gary used it on his old Transporter and I was a bit sceptical but it still looked good even after about 18 months when it left early this year.

Tony.
 
t-tony said:
Have you tried Autoglym Rubber and Vinyl dressing Paul? It’s good.

Tony.
Click to expand...
Tried Autoglymn, Poorboys and Autofinesse without success just had a go with shoe polish the tin type. Did read about the heat gun OK on smooth surfaces may try if nothing else works, going to try Maquires bumper shine and liquid boot polish tomorrow.
 
Not sure you're going to find a permanent solution. What about replacing it with one from a breaker? A new is about £150.
 
mrscalex said:
Not sure you're going to find a permanent solution. What about replacing it with one from a breaker? A new is about £150.
Click to expand...
No guarantee would be any better but worth looking into.
 
Watched a couple of YouTube videos of heat gun use on plastics with what seems to be quite impressive results :thumbsup: just never had the bottle to actually attempt to do it:rolleyes::eek::nailbiting::nailbiting:
 
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