'Black Chrome' to revitalize your plastic

[naterade]

Hey

Just wanted to offer a tip if you've got faded plastic on your Delica.

The plastic housing surrounding the brush guard on the front of my L300 was looking quite grey and faded, I figured it was just old, as I've seen others just as faded, thought I'd just have to paint it to get it looking nice again.

My girlfriend's dad loves to tinker though, and has 1001 bottles of miracle-this and wonder-that in his garage, and applied some 'Black Chrome' to the plastic and it totally renewed the guard back to a very shiny black finish!! Looks like new again!

I believe this stuff is similar to 303 Aerospace cleaner and/or other Plastic/Vinyl/Rubber cleaners/conditioners

Just thought I'd pass this tidbit on~!


Cheers
Nate

[FalcoColumbarius]

Right on, Nate. I like to use "Auto Glym" as it seals really well. I have tried Mother's "Back To Black" but I have found that it doesn't completely dry for some time and the stickiness tends to attract dust. Some people have used mineral oil, which I'm sure is good but I would feel that one would still have to seal to keep the dust off. How well does the "Black Chrome" dry and seal?

Falco.

[naterade]

How well does the "Black Chrome" dry and seal?

Far as I can tell it dries up quite nice. You are left with that slightly slippery feel to it, but I think that is common with all those types of products. Only the front housing was done, I'm going to go back to his house and finish off the rest of the van. I'll report back with my findings

[FalcoColumbarius]

One thing I have found on my tailgate: Unless you have a spoiler the tailgate collects a lot of dust off the road and will settle on the rear step and on top of the mirror like snow. This sucks the oil out of the vinyl and plastic, which in turn makes it go grey. Just an observation.

Falco.

[dennis_lambert]

Thanks for the post,My plastic also requires revitalization I think I will try the product you are metioning,where can I purchase it?.I heard a heat gun also works but I am concerned that it might be a short term soulution as it might suck the oils out and cause it too crack...

[FalcoColumbarius]

This is my opinion: A lot of people swear by the heat gun method. I have seen the results and they vary. Some results look quite good where other results look more blotchy, which tells me there is a skill level involed.

However, the primary reason that I will not use the heat gun method is what it's doing is drawing oil from deeper in the plastic to the surface. The sun or dust then sucks it out of the plastic. I believe there is a good risk that after so many times your plastic is going to be compromised and crack.

It makes more sense to me to put the oils back into the plastic.

I have noticed that "Auto Glym" is now available in the North Vancouver Canadian Tire, although not the complete line. For instance they have the high resin wax but not the sealer that goes with it. They do have the vinyl & plastic protectant ~ it's the yellow one.

Falco.

[naterade]

Thanks for the post,My plastic also requires revitalization I think I will try the product you are metioning,where can I purchase it?.I heard a heat gun also works but I am concerned that it might be a short term soulution as it might suck the oils out and cause it too crack...

I'm not sure where to find it, my dad-in-law had it in his basement. I would check the usual places though, Canadian Tire, Napa, Etc.

As said earlier, I'm pretty sure this product is similar to 303 protectant, which I know you can get at CDN Tire

[Mr. Flibble]

I have been looking everywhere to find more 303. It is the only approved stuff to put on Latex Drytop seals for whitewater kayaking drytops and drysuits, and I am running out. I have not seen it anywhere in Victoria in some time.

If anyone sees any 303 in the Victoria area, let me know as I want to buy about 4 bottles of it!

As said earlier, I'm pretty sure this product is similar to 303 protectant, which I know you can get at CDN Tire

[naterade]

Here's a pic I took yesterday of the renewed plastic

If yours is looking faded and grey, mine was too!! It can be revitalized!!

[FalcoColumbarius]

Nice job, Nate... smiles.