How to fix that faded plastic..

[Jeff B]

@Jody Treadway @upnover

 

[Ron]

Wonders for the paint to I'm sure

 

[Jeff B]

Wonders for the paint to I'm sure

That paint gets hotter in the sunshine in August then that propane in the time I passed over it.

 

[upnover]

new trick to me

 

[Fabrik8]

That's how I used to flame polish acrylic when making jigs and fixtures. Cut it, sand the edges, pass a torch over the edge and flow out the final sanding scratches.

It seems that on body parts and flares, etc., you'd likely also flow out any molded-in texture from the plastic, and there's no way to get that back. Not something to be done without careful consideration.

 

[untchabl]

Any idea how long it stays looking that nice before it fades again?

 

[Jody Treadway]

Just be careful not to burn the bow!

 

[sammi_davis]

Any idea how long it stays looking that nice before it fades again?

About a month on mine and it came back even more splotchy looking.

 

[Jeff B]

Any idea how long it stays looking that nice before it fades again?

We will see and report back. I am thinking abouts sealant of sort to keep from oxidating again.

 

[Fabrik8]

Any idea how long it stays looking that nice before it fades again?

That's the problem. You're just re-flowing the surface layer, but that surface layer is still ozone damaged and depleted of plasticizers. You're not replenishing that with the torch, so the effect isn't going to be very long lasting.

 

[NC_IslandRunner]

I know a guy that did the same thing but used a heat gun.

 

[R Q]

I know a guy that did the same thing but used a heat gun.

Yes heat gun does a great job.

 

[Jason W.]

So this doesn't keep its effects Long?

 

[Tradarcher]

Start with the gas filler bezel. If that works then go on to rest of the plastic.

 

[shawn]

It only lasts a month or two, then comes back blotchy.

 

[upnover]

When I had them(fender flares) I used WD40 on them. Sometimes multiple coats, it would soak in.