Painted plastic bits

[roguerobot]

Should you treat painted plastic bumpers, mirrors etc any differently from painted metal? Is it ok to clay, machine compound/polish these plastic parts? Nervous that they are not as durable as metal and I could damage them somehow.

 

[Mizzoutiger]

I've clayed/compounded/polished painted plastic w/o any issues. Just follow Mike Philips' advice http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/50162-how-do-test-spot.html

 

[Mantilgh]

When compounding or polishing painted plastic parts just be attentive not to allow the surface to get to hot. Plastic does not dissipate heat as much as metal does.

 

[roguerobot]

Great, thanks...sounds good

 

[Crispy]

I agree with the heating issue. Plastic does heat up a lot faster, even on a DA. I did my front bumper after a repaint and could not believe I could heat up a medium cut orange Foam pad while compounding but I did. I only noticed the heat after taking cooked pad off. New pad did small section and checked, sure enough hot. Now that I know I have reduced number of passes and clean Pads often.