8 replies to this topic

[AlejandroMaximus]

Hi everyone, 

 

I have an old set of triple clocks from a GTS and I was wondering if there was any way to refurbish the tired plastic trim. It is a bit faded and has some scratches on it. Speed Test essay writer

 

While it hasn't been fitted to the car, I figured it would be good to try and restore the colour to it. 

 

Regards,

Edited by AlejandroMaximus, 30 August 2020 - 05:58 AM.

[Ethel]

Heat is supposed to help bring back faded colour, but you'd  obviously have to be extremely careful not to melt things. Try and get some scrap plastic parts (don't have to be for a mini or even a car) to experiment on with a hairdryer or hot air gun it should just need the quickest flash so only the surface gets hot.

 

Vinyl upholstery paint also seem to work quite well.

[some1158]

I have had some success with the Autoglym bumper and gel trim, which restores colour fairly well.

 

I've also used Graygate plastic polish, which will remove light scratching and gives a nice finish. But try it in an inconspicuous area first.

[InnoCooperExport]

I have used Turtle Wax Black Chrome with good results. 

[Alice Dooper]

Mild heat will help take mild scratching out of some plastics but can alter textured finishes, if your going to try it, get some plastic from a scrap yard and experiment a lot.  
 

if it’s really faded, vinyl paint works well.  Needs to be mega clean.  I’ve done plenty of mini door pockets and it’s good but like all paint it can scratch off and might need the odd touch up.  In our well used runabout mini, we’ve a set of brown metro mk1 door pockets that have a speaker grill.  Only ones I could get were brown, so wee black spray job and 3 years later they’re still good except where a passenger rubbed a high heel over a bit.  There’s plenty of other paint options if you use the proper vinyl primer.

 

for mildly faded, go for some of the heavier silicone based stuff mentioned already.  I like the autoglym bumper gel, though it does need a good buff off afterward and a bit of time to harder nicely.

 

Quick job - back to black spray.  If you wipe it before it sets it isnt just quite as mega show shiny and can help even it out.  The aerosol  spray has a habit of coating loads inside a car unintentionally, I would spray it onto a polishing sponge and wipe on first if that’s a problem.  I’ve been yelled at before for making the brake pedal too slippy in my wife’s car, ooops, it was accidental overspray, honestly.

 

there are some heavy duty vinyl restoration products out there but they can be expensive.  I did use a good one by Ctechniq on an R56 mini exterior and the results were good at the time, though it took a lot of meticulous surface prep.

[Gcal]

Autoglym also do a plastic and trim conditioner from their professional range available on there website

[Maccmike8]

Air drier. Works perfect everytime then top it off with some Autofinesse Revive. 

[Maccmike8]

Once you get confident an hot air gun works even better but you have to keep it moving so try the air drier and take your time.

[sonscar]

Angelwax from Slims Detailing worked for me.Steve..