Restoring Old Dirty Plastics

[ManiacalMark]

So I have some top covers that are dirty and I have yet to figure out what will clean them or get them close to new looking. The one I have looks like brand new under the original dealer sticker. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[timg]

@slackinoff should be able to help. He posted a 61 Rancher white top he cleaned/ restored with very nice results. He is still active on here.

 

[ManiacalMark]

I messaged him thank you

 

[jacob j.]

@Bigmac has done good work with a polishing wheel for his bench grinder on faded plastic.

 

[Bigmac]

 

[farminkarman]

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Thanks for sharing....I got some plastics I would like to clean up...might have to give this a try

 

[ManiacalMark]

I’ll try and find that dico stuff @Bigmac, good information to have!

 

[slackinoff]

@Bigmac

Nice results! What did you mount that buff wheel to?

 

[CJ Brown]

Dico polishing compound:
https://dicoproducts.com/products.php?pid=7100950&gid=2&cid=32&sgid=17

 

[hotajax]

How would that stuff work on headlights? Been getting pretty good results with Meguiar's Mag Wheel Cleaner. Next job: My saw.

BTW, nice job on the saw.

 

[Stevetheboatguy]

How would that stuff work on headlights? Been getting pretty good results with Meguiar's Mag Wheel Cleaner. Next job: My saw.

BTW, nice job on the saw.

I don't remember the brand. Sikens? Diamond coat? But it's fairly high end stuff I guess.

Have a buddy that does body work hits me for $20 to d.a. and hard clear a pair of lights. They usually last around 10 years before they peal or crack.

I had a set done with just a off the shelf clear coat and they only lasted two years. So from then on I wait until he has a high end car he's going to be spraying. Then he tosses my lights in the booth and clears them at the same time.

Before


After...





Steven

 

[hotajax]

Lights look great, but what does "d.a." mean?

 

[Duce]

Lights look great, but what does "d.a." mean?

Dual action sander or polisher. Or you can have a random orbital.

 

[av8or3]

I use Flitz or Semichrome polish. Works on metal, plastic etc. I think the buffing wheel would improve the results.

 

[hotajax]

Dual action sander or polisher. Or you can have a random orbital.

Roger that

 

[Bigmac]

@Bigmac

Nice results! What did you mount that buff wheel to?

I used an old drill press.

 

[whitesnake]

I don't remember the brand. Sikens? Diamond coat? But it's fairly high end stuff I guess.

Have a buddy that does body work hits me for $20 to d.a. and hard clear a pair of lights. They usually last around 10 years before they peal or crack.

I had a set done with just a off the shelf clear coat and they only lasted two years. So from then on I wait until he has a high end car he's going to be spraying. Then he tosses my lights in the booth and clears them at the same time.

Before
View attachment 351365

After...

View attachment 351366



Steven

What are you referring to as off the shelf clear? Spray cans? Any respectable 2K automotive clear should hold up for many years. I do the same. DA off the original coating and work my way up to about 800 grit then blow a couple coats of clear on. Usually when I’m doing a car or at least a bunch of lights at once.

 

[slackinoff]

@Bigmac - Nice. I used a headlight restoration kit on one top. It was exhausting because I had the top in one hand and the drill in the other. I own a drill press now though. Being able to use two hands helps I am sure.

I bought a restored and repaired top from how57. He used Husqvarna Orange spray paint on it. It turned out super nice and whatever that paint is, it's very tough and lays down well on the plastic. I think Aero Custom Coating makes it, easy to find on ebay. I bought some to try out.