HawkFanatic

iTrader: (1)

Anyone know of some techniques to polishing plastic pieces? I think it would hold up better than paint if it could be done right.

Luna

iTrader: (6)

This is a very interesting idea. I wonder if you could apply the same kind of technique used to black out the tail filler to other pieces to make them shine up?

I kind of doubt it but it would be worth a try.

98redM6

iTrader: (39)

Do you mean interior pieces as in removing the texture and just smoothing them out?

planemech2

If the plastic is smooth, then just take carnuba wax and buff it out. Don't get too high rpm on the buffer or you'll start to melt the piece.

Red99TA

iTrader: (11)

I really doubt the technique to take the bird off the taillight center section will work on our interior trim pieces. That's a much softer plastic and I doubt it would ever shine.

HawkFanatic

iTrader: (1)

Actually, I was talking about various plastics under the hood... the caps for the fluids, small stuff like that

kevinclark09

you could try the sanding process like the one with the rear filler panel and then maybe some buffing.

greysteel_M6

iTrader: (5)

To polish my headlights I sanded with a course grit I think 400, should have gone lower then followed by 800, 1200, 2000 then I used a plastic polishing kit. You could probably skip the sanding on engine bay parts though. The headlight lenses had webbed like cracks from the sun damage.

PunishedU

iTrader: (1)

Well I am pretty sure you can do this. I tried on an interior piece and it is shiny. Just sand any of the texture off and gradually work your way up to wetsanding, maybe 2000 grit. I took meguiars plastx and buffed that on and it is shiny. I may do this on some of the engine bay caps too, good idea.

W105

iTrader: (14)

Sounds interesting, got any pics?

vMaster0fPuppets

iTrader: (6)

PunishedU

iTrader: (1)

Hmm, yeah I guess I can post a pic or two later, might need to give me some time to make it look nice. I didn't really do a good job sanding because I was originally gonna paint it and smooth it out in primer. Probably tomorrow ill post some pics of the polished piece that goes around the radio.

vMaster0fPuppets

iTrader: (6)

anxiously waiting

PunishedU

iTrader: (1)

Ha sorry about that, I got kinda lazy. I ended up polished another part because my camera sucks and doesn't show the nice shine very well. I will post pics up in a few.

luckyou03

iTrader: (8)

get some 3m rubbing compound and a soft towel. rub it into the plastic till it sqeeks and it'll look brand new. Dont rub to hard tho because you can actually melt/burn the plastic.

PunishedU

iTrader: (1)

Here are the pics. As you can see, not that great of shots but trust me, they polish up and shine just like paint.

luckyou03

iTrader: (8)

3m rubbing compound

PunishedU

iTrader: (1)

Beautiful. Should have pmed you to post here. Your pics are a lot better than mine.

luckyou03

iTrader: (8)

was that sarcastic?

here a pic using meguiars plastx


I prefer the rubbing compound.

PunishedU

iTrader: (1)

No sarcasm, just respect. You have a car I am envious of. My goal one day is to have my engine bay look like yours.