Black plastic ?

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Mon Jun 19, 06 12:53 pm

Anyone got any particular recommendations for getting faded black plastic (in this case 68 charger front grill) back to shiny black ?

I know there are loads of products, wondered if any are highly recommended... ?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Jun 19, 06 1:03 pm

There are plenty of products, I like auto glyms bumper care, but you have to use it sparingly as it has a silicone sheen to it...too much and your plastic is shiney and black, but looks like it is coated in chip fat....

Not Cool

I have put off this little job so far, partially cos my grille is OK, but also because the biggest issue is which technique to use?
There are so many little plastic "fins" on both the grill and the headlamp covers, that you would be on for ages!!
cotton bud seems the way forward....but you are gonna need a lot of time with that method...
Ideas anyone

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Jun 19, 06 1:19 pm

There is a product called "Back to Black" funnilly enough (its a valeting product). Its pretty good stuff but unsure how it would hold up to the weather. May end up becoming a routine maintenance activity rather than a touch-up n forget type solution.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Jun 19, 06 1:42 pm

I don't think there is such a thing that will bring it back to "as new" condition indefinitely....very much a "regular detailing" job
Nick

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Mon Jun 19, 06 2:12 pm

Try Brasso.

I use it all the time to polish plastic OHP fresnel lenses. They come up like new and it quickly takes out any fine scratches.

Try it on a small spot first though just to be sure as I have never tried it in that type of plastic. It should work well though.

Second choice would be T-cut.

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Mon Jun 19, 06 3:53 pm

I use Armor All, works great on most plastics and doesn't look like you've just boot polished it!

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Mon Jun 19, 06 4:03 pm

The thing with armour all, back to black etc is that you have to keep applying it. As long as the black plastic is not white under a thin painted black finish or something daft then creating a new surface with a mild polish is the best way to go. THEN keep it nice with a trim or vinyl cleaner.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Jun 19, 06 4:22 pm

what about the plastic paint that u do interior plastics with? vinylcote or similar? how would that fair on the outside of a car?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Jun 19, 06 7:19 pm

I wouldn't want to put any kind of paint on the grille/headlamp covers. If it doesn't take, looks odd or starts flaking off, you have a hell of a problem...particularly when you consider the cost of sourcing replacement parts.....