[OB1theStogie]

Anyone use a heatgun? I have a buddy who swears by it. Just a bit skittish on the idea.

If not, I'm going to have all the trim, mirrors, bumper, etc., Line-X'd. Mine is an '07' & starting to fade to the point my OCD is kicking in. The heatgun would obviously be cheaper. :grin

 

[thormcse]

What is the heat gun method?

 

[AJsC4]

Have you read the reviews on that "wipe-new" stuff for plastic trim?....that will be my first trial when i need it

 

[OB1theStogie]

The heatgun method is exactly what it sounds like. You actually run the gun up & down your trim, actually melting the plastics top layer. I've watched a few youtube vids on it. Looks good, just wondering if anyone here had actually gave it a shot on an actual FJ.

Wipe New seems to work well. My brother used it on his Dodge dually. It's just pretty tedious, & if you get it on your paint it leaves shiny marks that won't wash off. Especially on black, which is the color of my FJ. :wink

 

[iwashmycar]

Back to black. Apply it a few time after washing and it will bring it back...yes it fades, but it is easy and doesnt get all messy like Wipe New seems to do.

 

[Racer X FJ]

Try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It worked good on my old tacoma. I used Armorall Outlast Trim and Plastic Restorer after that and it kept it nice and black. Armorall Outlast works great on FJ's roof rack too. Makes it look new.

 

[Ti Toaster]

I had a break in a few years back: passenger side window. The guy leaned in thru the window, and scratched the hell out of the plastic moulding to get into the glove box. When the insurance guy looked at the car, I asked how expensive the door panel was to replace. He replied that there was no need to, he would just have the shop use a heat gun to get the gouges out. I never had it done, but it was the first I ever heard of a heat gun on plastic to restore it. Keep researching. I would LOVE to get rid of all the scrapes and gouges in the back plastic!!

 

[thormcse]

The heatgun method is exactly what it sounds like. You actually run the gun up & down your trim, actually melting the plastics top layer. I've watched a few youtube vids on it. Looks good, just wondering if anyone here had actually gave it a shot on an actual FJ.



Wipe New seems to work well. My brother used it on his Dodge dually. It's just pretty tedious, & if you get it on your paint it leaves shiny marks that won't wash off. Especially on black, which is the color of my FJ. :wink

Thanks, never heard of that. I wipe mine down with a cleaner protector but it's not shiny. Mine is only a 2013 so it's not an issue yet. The wings I replaced with black ones but the other parts are black plastidip. If the other parts get bad, I'll probably dip them. The dipped parts look better than the black ones I think. We'll see how long the dip lasts. 1.5 years so far.

 

[OB1theStogie]

I had a break in a few years back: passenger side window. The guy leaned in thru the window, and scratched the hell out of the plastic moulding to get into the glove box. When the insurance guy looked at the car, I asked how expensive the door panel was to replace. He replied that there was no need to, he would just have the shop use a heat gun to get the gouges out. I never had it done, but it was the first I ever heard of a heat gun on plastic to restore it. Keep researching. I would LOVE to get rid of all the scrapes and gouges in the back plastic!!

My buddy has did a couple of old Mustangs using this method. Inside vinyl & outside trim. The reason I was leaning using the heat gun is that It won't fade near as fast, & I wouldn't have to reapply treatment every so often.

His answer is... "Let's do it, & if you don't like it, then just Line-X it anyway." Can't argue with that logic really lol.

 

[IDFJ]

I did it on my 1997 4Runner. It is a little tedious and you have to be very careful to not over heat/burn it. It is tempting to hold the gun too close to speed things up.

In the attached photo, only the front fender was done.

 

[Fishtale]

Penetrol, pour on a rag and wipe into the plastic. It's an oil paint conditioner. As the plastic dries out, it becomes faded and brittle. This stuff renews the plastic, just like it does for oil paint. One application will last two to three years depending on the direct sunlight it receives. A can costs $10 at Home Depot, in the paint dept. Used to use it on my old Wranglers, it worked great. There was a thread on this subject a few weeks back.

 

[Knrstz]

I don’t recommend the heat gun method. It pulls the oil to the surfaces but then quickly dries out looking worse than before.

 

[OK.]

Check out a product called '303 Aerospace Protectant', it will freshen up faded plastic after a few applications and acts like sunscreen for plastic. Also dries to more of a matte finish than shiny.
I apply it a few times a year and plastic still looks great.
(no affiliation on my part to 303, just seems to work well for me)

 

[MikeS11222]

I like the heat gun videos that show them removing small scratches from interior trim pieces. Unless someone else has a better way to do that?
I have tons of those especially in the back cargo area.

 

[YodaPro]

Reviving an old tread, there’s new products on the market now. Any recommendations from u guys that restore the plastic trim pieces back to black? I purchased the chemical guys spray back to black and will try a piece and see, I also seen ceramic coating anyone tired that with good results? My trims pieces all looking pretty faded white color,

 

[Effief100]

I have used this with good results.

Cerakote Ceramic Trim Coat Kit - Quick Plastic Trim Restorer - Guaranteed Restoration to Last Over 200 Washes – A Ceramic Coating, Not a Dressing

Buy Cerakote Ceramic Trim Coat Kit - Quick Plastic Trim Restorer - Guaranteed Restoration to Last Over 200 Washes – A Ceramic Coating, Not a Dressing at Amazon. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision!

www.amazon.com

 

[norm356]

x2 Cerakote.

We did extensive testing at work and it lasted far longer than the usual Meguiars, or Turtlewax, etc. which must be reapplied annually or semiannually.
It is also very easy to apply. Just make sure the part is very clean first, as it is a rather permanent treatment and you don't want to trap any dirt in it.

 

[YodaPro]

Thanks! I just ordered it and will post results. So far I just did two test, I had arospace 303 in my stash and chemical guys

 

[YodaPro]

What a transformation, one note is that it will look wet at all times, it’s dry to the touch and is not oily at all. Hopefully it stays that way for 200 washes as advertised. Project Farm on YouTube did a test on many products and this one come out on top.

 

[RDTCU]

Ceracoat by far.
I just re-did mine after ~4 years.