interior plastic panels restored
My back hatch area interior panels were seriously faded and turned white. They made my otherwise nice interior look like shit. I wanted to restored them or at the very lest make them look better. When I initially started this project my intention was to clean up the parts and then rattle-can 'em with this "interior dye" stuff that I got at my local auto store. My hope was that the color would be close to stock. I tested the dye on the back of one of the panels to see how it would look. I wasn't too impressed. The color didn't match as well as I would have hoped and even after letting it dry for several days you could run your finger nail across it and the "dye" would come right off. Oh well, I figured it would just haffa do so I started working. I wanted the dye to have something to stick to so I roughed up the surface of the plastic with some 330 grit sandpaper. When I did this I noticed that the white "dead plastic" started to come off pretty easy and the original color was revealed underneath. That made me wonder... what if I just took off all that white crap? what would it look like? The sandpaper, even though it was a fine grit was leaving scratches in the plastic so I immediately switched to steel-wool. Size "00" to be precise. It didn't leave nearly as much scratches in the plastic. So anyway, I worked the steel-wool for quite a while and to my surprise the panel came out awesome! Some of the textured parts of the panel are now smooth but overall it looks pretty damn good IMO. :D After my arm recovers ;) I'm gonna do the other one.
--Bob https://www.rx7club.com/forum/attach...postid=2378993 |
This is a significant post. I have been reading a lot of magazines and books on restoring and rare is it that faded plastic panels are addressed. Most say "Buy a replacement!" The panel looks great! Thanks for a superb tip, this one is getting 5 stars...:cool:
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Just a thought... maybe give some brown shoe polish a try...if it doesn't do anything atleast it might make it shiney... *shrug*
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Goodness................oh, the fumes!!:p:
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There are still some fine scratches in the surface but they aren't that bad at all. I think I'm gonna pick up some 000 ultra fine steel-wool and go over each piece with that. I might give that shoe polish idea a try too. Does anyone have any other ideas for "polishing plastic"? What about using some sort of buffing wheel?
One note, I started on the other piece using just the steel-wool and it was sloooow going. I ended up using the sandpaper again to loosen up the dead plastic. Still work'n on it but it's look'n good so far. :) |
I don't have ideas for "polishing plastic", but a look into the Eastwood Company web site / catalog might lead to something. They have all sorts of stuff for restorations. www.eastwoodco.com
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I used light scotch bright and used the spray paint from pep boys thats made for plastic. works great!!!
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i'll have to try that next time. i have found a good matching dye for the red, and it holds up really well (3 years and counting).
mike |
I just gave my rear panels a look today and never noticed they were faded almost to pure white on the wheel well covers. hmm... might give this a try, great thread.
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I used SEM dye, was redder than the original brown, but much more attractive. Stuff stays on, too. I might have tried the steel wool trick first, though, if I had known. If you have a brown interior, I highly reccomend the SEM "Coffee Mocha". I ended up doing the entire inside with it, then a coat of SEM clear coat. Looks absoutely brand new!
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There is plastic specific polish, you might wanna look into it if you still have little scratches, a buffer would be overkill.
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ahh this thread is wonderful, good job man, my burgandy back panels are nearly completely white, and always wondered what to do with them.... this is my perfect sunday project!
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you can polish plastic using a light buffing machine (low revs) - the same as jewellers use for gold & platinum. The buffing compound itself can be found at hardware stores - its usually blue, and specifies jewellery/plastic.
An actual buffing machine that use for metals would melt the plastic of course. |
Originally posted by mwpayne I used SEM dye, was redder than the original brown, but much more attractive. Stuff stays on, too. I might have tried the steel wool trick first, though, if I had known. If you have a brown interior, I highly reccomend the SEM "Coffee Mocha". I ended up doing the entire inside with it, then a coat of SEM clear coat. Looks absoutely brand new! |
I used a pot scrubber for my plastic, scrubbed the piss out of it (the green rough ones like at wal mart) works awesome on primered car too, hot soapy water and a tricep work out :)
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Nope, the SEM dye is solid. Especially when you put some clear coat over it. I haven't tried the fingernail test, but I have cleaned the dash several times with a windex-type cleaner and a surgical rag (they're a bit rough). No dye came off at all. It should be mentioned that it is CRITICAL to follow the instructions on the can exactly. A friend of mine used some on a pickup, did it when the temps outside were about 50 degrees and damp. He also was in a hurry. Looked like crap.
Do it right, take your time, you'll be pleased. |
great thread man!!! my rear panels look exactly like the one in the picture (the non-finished one). i have always wondered what would take the white off!!
jeff |
Try Turtle Wax "Formula 2001"
I used this stuff on the black plastic crud for my motorcycle. Works great and restores the color. Of course, the older stuff might take a couple coats. I'll try and get a picture of a before and after.... |
Originally posted by inittab So that SEM dye doesn't come off if you run your finger nail across it? mike |
Originally posted by j9fd3s nope, thats the stuff ive used. "burgandy" matches the red very well. the secret is removing all of the silicon/armorall from the surface. rubbing alcohol works well for that mike BTW, I just reinstalled everything. Looks damn good! :D |
Originally posted by inittab hmm... well the stuff that I bought must've been crap then. It was VHT brand. BTW, I just reinstalled everything. Looks damn good! :D |
Wow, thanks a bunch! Mine look great, and I love the idea of not using paints!
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I've had very good experience with the VHT brand vinyl dye. It does not come off.
You must apply it correctly, and the surface must be free of silicon. |
Originally posted by j9fd3s nope, thats the stuff ive used. "burgandy" matches the red very well. the secret is removing all of the silicon/armorall from the surface. rubbing alcohol works well for that mike |
Im afraid if i touch my interior panels they will turn totally to white dust and float away! :D :D
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