JaredsZ28

What exactly did you do with the heat gun to restore those panels?

officermartinez

iTrader: (1)

I remember years ago, I was reading an article in a magazine about repairing scuffs on a door panel using a heat gun. Then last year, I remember seeing a DIY video on youtube where someone was using a heatgun to restore various plastic pieces.. So, I just did the exact same thing. Be careful to keep that nozzle moving and don't let it set in one place for any length of time. Also, once you have gone over the area, DO NOT TOUCH THE PLASTIC. IT WILL DISTORT or WARP if you aren't careful. Here's the DIY video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-dtbBzky-s

myltwon

iTrader: (1)

I'm buying a heat gun asap

JaredsZ28

I just bought one the other day when I was using some heat shrink tubing. I will let yall know how it works on the tan plastic interior pieces.

officermartinez

iTrader: (1)

Did you guys give it a try?

94Aquaformula

iTrader: (28)

Would like to know what you have to do in order to prep the plastic. Sand it? Just wash it?

officermartinez

iTrader: (1)

Good question. About the most important thing is to wash off years of dirt / dust, grease / oils or any type of "armor all" or "protectant" from the surface of the panel. All I basically do take them to a bathtub and give them a bath in Dawn diswashing detergent. Dawn (or similar washing detergent) is a good way to remove the stuff on your plastics. I pre-soak em for maybe 10 minutes in pretty hot water (as hot as your skin can safely stand the temperature of the water). I use a green scouring pad and give them a good lathering wash. Let them dry (towel dry is fine, but do NOT use a heat gun to dry them). Once they are dry, they should look really discolored / faded. Now they are ready for the heat gun!

94Aquaformula

iTrader: (28)

officermartinez thanks so much. Me and a couple of buddies will be trying this.

officermartinez

iTrader: (1)

Very cool. Be sure to take "before" and "after" pics. Lemme know when you have done it!

67goatman455

iTrader: (14)

does it take away the texture? i tried it real quick at work.....no cleaning or anything.....but it seemed to smooth out the texture. and also does this only work on black panels? or does it work on other colors? i have a feeling anything other that black is painted on.

Beaflag VonRathburg

iTrader: (176)

That video is pretty impressive. I am going to have to borrow my friend's heat gun.

officermartinez

iTrader: (1)

If it's "regular" automotive plastics (not vinyl covered or very poor "granulated" plastics that are basically dry rotted), it's been my experience that if it was "textured" and now it's smooth, the plastics got too hot. You might try back the nozzle off a little from the surface of the plastics and AS SOON as the color of the plastics "change", do NOT keep that nozzle pointed at that area anymore than you have to. Most heat guns are easily capable of burning a hole right through your plastics, so be careful not to keep the heat on them for too long.

officermartinez

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, there is a guy on youtube that heats his plastic Jeep fenders with a propane torch! WOW! I would NEVER do that. Even though both are capable of burning plastic, a heat gun is a much safer way to do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWyecrQh_HQ

JaredsZ28

Yep I tried it on my tan interior panels, while the results were not as dramatic as the darker plastics it still made a significant difference.

CHELOZ28

iTrader: (10)

Any update on your restoration OM?

badfbodyz

iTrader: (3)

so did you also use the heat gun on the console?

ninjai_ruken

Im Also wondering if there are any new updates man...Im loving this thread. Its like a drug

1FASTZ28

I like all the amazing work you have done on that car. So many things like this that I would like to do to my Z but just can't afford it right now. What did you add to the sides of the center console to avoid scratches and scuffs? Keep us updated on the progress

Jazz-LT1

iTrader: (2)

Hey, NOTHING RUNS LIKE A DEERE!!!

slp223

iTrader: (1)

any updates?