Polishing exterior plastic

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Lake

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The B pillar on my 335 GT has become very worn looking from micro scratches. Can I use the DA and a AIO to bring it back?
 
I used m205 with a mf polishing pad on the wife's vw cc it was really bad it came out great but im sure i could have used something with less cut.
 
Based on some other posts I have read in the past, I would start by hand with something like M205 and a yellow wax hand applicator. You don't want to be too aggressive with those or you will permanently dull them. Step up to a MF hand applicator if you aren't happy with the results using the wax applicator.

Not all pillar garnish is created equal of course, so yours may hold up better to a machine than others. Just recommend you take a slow approach to it. :xyxthumbs:
 
wdmaccord said:
Based on some other posts I have read in the past, I would start by hand with something like M205 and a yellow wax hand applicator. You don't want to be too a:xyxthumbs:gg:xyxthumbs:ressive with those or you will permanently dull them. Stepto a applicator if you aren't happy with the results using the w:hungry:ax applicator.

Great advice! I use CarPro R:eflect for smooth glossy or textured trim. I have had to use my FEX 340 for really bad trim.
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Just had my car broken into and they tried to pry open the passenger window. I thought it was some kind of plastic molding, but it's just a stick on tape. The frame is all steel. Used some Klasse AIO and it looks good.
 
I'm sorry but am I missing something here? From experience by getting excess compound and polishes on plastic it will turn it milky, that is why so much time spent taping them up.
 
Znig22 said:
I'm sorry but am I missing something here? From experience by getting excess compound and polishes on plastic it will turn it milky, that is why so much time spent taping them up.
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Your correct on taping when polishing/compounding the surrounding area, but were talking about taking out light marring out of the plastic, not protecting it.
 
Znig22 said:
I'm sorry but am I missing something here? From experience by getting excess compound and polishes on plastic it will turn it milky, that is why so much time spent taping them up.
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If you were to polish these areas and leave the residue, yes it would probably leave a white haze. But, when actually polishing dark plastic or rubber, and breaking down the polish, and removing the residue while it's still wet, you should have any issues. Dried products left on these areas is usually the cause of whitening. Either way, cleaning these areas with an APC and a soft brush or MF will usually remove any signs of polish.
 
My assumption here is the OP has glossy b pillar garnish, not flat black trim.
 
Some pics would have helped.:) Is it a Ford or a BMW?
 
Oh, the glossy, black plastic the covers the window frames/B pillars on the doors. Yes, that stuff can be polished like paint, with a DA. I would use a swirl remover/medium cut polish, then wax or seal it. AN AIO is just going to remove very light scratches and clean the surface really well. Maybe even a plastic polish like Meg's PlastX would be suited for the job even better.
 
Any polish will work good. Black glossy plastic gets marring so easily.
 
ShaunD said:
Oh, the glossy, black plastic the covers the window frames/B pillars on the doors. Yes, that stuff can be polished like paint, with a DA. I would use a swirl remover/medium cut polish, then wax or seal it. AN AIO is just going to remove very light scratches and clean the surface really well. Maybe even a plastic polish like Meg's PlastX would be suited for the job even better.
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If this is the same type as the b-pillars on most modern VW's then I have done a fair share of them.....Menzerna PF2500 on a white pad followed by SF4000 on a black pad and then whatever LSP the rest of the car gets.
 
335GT? When I google it its a ford thats not released for the US. The best way to tell if its tape is to look on the backside of the door pillar and see if you see where it stops.
 
I just clean mine with a waterless cleaner and use Mother's back to black. Wipe off excess after 15 mins. reapply a 2nd coat and wipe off excess, then with a 3rd clean towel, buff lightly. That gives it a nice medium-shiny look which suits me and my Titanium Gray Genesis.
 
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