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How to clean up black plastic trim?

Technical issues not related to a DLOC car marque, eg tyres, ethanol, other car makes, etc. and legal, political and insurance
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captain bobo
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How to clean up black plastic trim?

Post by captain bobo »

This query relates to my (new to me) Saab 9-5 Aero Hot Estate (a veritable wolf in sheeps' clothing with 260 bhp!!). The car drives superbly and looks great, it is a very very dark grey (or light black if there is such a colour?). There are various body parts that are made of what I regard as black plastic (aerial triangle on the roof, door handles, horizontal strips on the doors, loading area above the rear bumper, strip below the front bumper etc). Some of these "plastic" parts have faded to a mid grey colour, other parts (the loading area in particular) are scratched and marked.

I would like to smarten the car up a little, so my question is twofold: how do I "polish" and clean this black "plastic", and how can I repair scratch damage and a couple of minor tiny dents to the "plastic"? Do any forum members have experience of doing this sort of work?

As usual, any inputs and comments greatly appreciated.
Best wishes, Dave B

Vortex O'Plinth
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Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Post by Vortex O'Plinth »

I've used both Autoglym and Meguiars products and they both work very well in producing a deep satin black finish. Unfortunately in neither case is the effect permanent; it needs redoing within a month or two.

There is a paint on the market specifically intended to produce a permanent restored finish on plastic trim. However I haven't used it and I can't remember the name either. :?: Someone else may be know of it?
Nick

"Don't bother with the Air & Space Museum - there's nothing to see.......".

classiclife
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Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Post by classiclife »

Maybe worth giving Frost a call to see if they can assist - I find them very helpful.

If they do not stock a specific item they may know if such a product exists and who supplies it; along with the 2x excellent recommendations Nick has flagged.

https://www.frost.co.uk/

Regards.

Richard.
1968 Daimler V8-250 Saloon
DLOC East Sussex Branch Secretary
DLOC 2.5L V8 & V8-250 Registrar - https://www.dloc.org.uk/v8-250
DLOC 2024 International Rally - https://www.dloc.org.uk/rally-2024

Db n j
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Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Post by Db n j »

Dave,

Just be sure that the parts are painted plastic, (ie plastic with a coloured skin over the top, rather than made from self-coloured plastic).

My hunch is that (on the basis that the trim has faded relative to the main body panels) the parts are self-coloured.

What tends to happen to self-coloured plastic is that the UV inhibitors in the raw material is weak, or has broken down in the wonderful sunshine
we have in the UK. This leads to a "milky" appearance, that wont disappear with T-cut.

If its painted over the top, then repaint is an option - if its self-coloured, then painting can be very difficult, so take care.

Using a polish with a suitable tint may be the least painful option.

classiclife
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Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Post by classiclife »

I recall many decades ago, that Citroen vehicles were very prone to discolouring - not just the plastic but panels as well, especially red cars.
1968 Daimler V8-250 Saloon
DLOC East Sussex Branch Secretary
DLOC 2.5L V8 & V8-250 Registrar - https://www.dloc.org.uk/v8-250
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Petelang
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Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Post by Petelang »

Just a thought....
Would boot Polish work?
Peter
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Sydsmith
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Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Post by Sydsmith »

Hi Dave, almost all the bumper black or back to blacks I have tried fade especially left in the sun, nothing seems to last very long, WD 40 will last as long as some of the expensive stuff but Lidles cheap black boot polish lasts longer than any of the expensive remedies, at least it did on an old VW transporter van I owned. Syd

Vortex O'Plinth
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Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Post by Vortex O'Plinth »

If all else fails.......



:D :D
Nick

"Don't bother with the Air & Space Museum - there's nothing to see.......".

Phillmore
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Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Post by Phillmore »

My first reaction was "that's nuts" but the results look good and as he says it's much cheaper than the specialist auto products designed to do the same thing, although I can imagine all the local squirrels chasing the car down the road! I wonder what else we can find in the kitchen cupboards? Now where did I put that Marmite, my wheel bearings need repacking . . . . :D
Andy

1954 Conquest Mk1, 1956 Conquest Mk2, 1957 Conquest Century Mk2, 1955 Austin A90 Westminster

A.N.Other
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Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Post by A.N.Other »

Peanut butter contains peanut oil. All sorts of oils restore and care for all sorts of things from baby skin to chrome, so why not ?
Colin,
I may be slow but I’m rough as well !

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