Black plastic trim restoration (bumpers, mirror housing, etc)

sportscarhiatus

sportscarhiatus

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I am looking for any recommendations of a "process" (i.e. sanding then painting, or cleaning, etc etc) or simply spraying on a flexible trim paint on the affected area?

I have a 10 year old Civic that the black trim is starting to look worn and dated. I am looking for something beyond something like a PB Trim Restorer or Black WOW or anything like that. I'm talking almost like "resurfacing"... is there a spray paint or something that I should/could use? I would just mask the surrounding area, and spray away? What do you guys recommend? Wouldn't it have to be a flexible trim paint? And do I need to put flexible clear on top of that?

The black plasic trim in question is somewhat textured and not totally smooth.

thanks in advance!
 
I would hit it with an automotive scouring pad followed by 3000 grit paper then follow up with a matte bumper paint. I would skip the clear
 
Flash Gordon said:
I would hit it with an automotive scouring pad followed by 3000 grit paper then follow up with a matte bumper paint. I would skip the clear
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Thank you for the idea. What brand/type of matte bumper paint? Never used one before. Something I can get at the hardware store?
 
sportscarhiatus said:
Thank you for the idea. What brand/type of matte bumper paint? Never used one before. Something I can get at the hardware store?
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To be totally honest I don't have a brand name for you

Google "Automotive Paint & Supplies & Your City" and see what results you get. This is where your going to want to go to get all of your supplies nesecary for this job

Good luck and post up some pics man :Picture:
 
ok will do... was hoping some folks on the forum already did/or are planning to do this type of restoration and could recommend a brand/product.

Thank you for your help.
 
sportscarhiatus said:
ok will do... was hoping some folks on the forum already did/or are planning to do this type of restoration and could recommend a brand/product.

Thank you for your help.
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I've done it before, just can't remember the name of the brand.

Actually, I've been planning on doing my own car for sometime now. Maybe 2011 will be the year it gets done. Who knows. I kinda doubt it though...
 
A quick fix that works pretty well, but is kind of risky, is using a heat gun on the trim. Turns it around pretty well for a good length of time.

I've seen people say that they easily get 6 months to a year of quality look by doing this.

Kaleb
 
Kaleb G. said:
A quick fix that works pretty well, but is kind of risky, is using a heat gun on the trim. Turns it around pretty well for a good length of time.

I've seen people say that they easily get 6 months to a year of quality look by doing this.

Kaleb
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What does the heat gun do? That's it? just heat it up? So the purpose being it melts the rubber a tad so that all the imperfections are "self-absorbed"??? interesting.
 
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-dtbBzky-s]YouTube - Using a heat gun to restore automotive plastics[/video]
 
Thanks for the recommendation on G4Techniq C4 folks. I will try that. Was hoping that AG sold it but no avail. Looks like I have to do some shopping online.
 
The G4 is great, but the heat gun looks very impressive as well! Opti-Coat will work similar to the G4 even on trim.
 
jlb85 said:
The G4 is great, but the heat gun looks very impressive as well! Opti-Coat will work similar to the G4 even on trim.
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You mean C4 not G4. Gtechniq C1 works great as well, you just have to prove your a pro in order to buy it.
 
I've never done the heat gun, but watched my grandpa do it a few times. Works well if done correctly, but like most other of the tools we use it can cause some damage.

I would definitely read up on it a bit before doing it.

Kaleb
 
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