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INT : DIY plastic polishing

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    INT : DIY plastic polishing

    *note* only polish hard plastic. it will turn into power when sanded. the softer plastic will not powder and will be difficult to polish. if it is flexable it is to soft. there are not a lot of things on the car that are hard plastic. most of the interior is soft plastic. test on unseen areas first. do not use anything other than hand sanding. machine sanding may make the plastic melt.

    for headlights(JDM, not glass), taillights, blinkers, and switches you shouldn't have to sand. that is usualy only for sanding the texture off the interior pieces. only sand your headlights in extreme cases(deep scratches, nicks, blemishes, ect.) you can use mag and aluminum polish first, then use the plastic polish to make it crystal clear.

    check out some of the before /afters on the other pages

    things you can polish without worry.......bumper lights, corner lights, plastic headlights, taillights, tag lights, sunroof visor, dome light lens only, door light lens covers, lumbar support knob, air vents, INT door handels, coin holder, insterment bezel and trim, door locks (the ones you grab with your finger, up/down), all buttons/switches, i wouldn't try any other pieces as they are to soft to polish

    i also recomend a drill with a buffing attachment (powerball), to cut out a lot of work.

    since it's a true polish, it requires working/buffing.

    materials:
    -plastic polish
    -sandpaper (600g-800g-1000g)
    -cotton polishing cloth
    custom int door handles
    custom clear switches



    this is to show you how to polish plastic in and around your car. this is the plastic blank in the dash trim. to polish it, begin by sanding the texture off of it with 600g sandpaper til the texture is smooth. then follow with 1000g to knock it down some more and smooth it further.


    this is what it will look like after sanding


    now you are ready to use the plastic polish. apply it to the polishing cloth and buff until all the fine scratches disappear and a reflective finish appears. it should look like this when done.


    clock


    here are some more: the seat levers. a before pic\/


    after\/



    a side by side comparision of before and after.\/




    unpolished^^^^^^^^^^^polished

    an oem blinker i did (no sanding needed)


    lumbar adjustment knob





    .later
    Last edited by TypeG; 08-03-2009, 09:11 PM.
    Avoiding dirt at all costs


    #2
    Good idea - Nice write up. I might give this a shot.

    Planning on doing anything else in the interior (ie. black trim garnish) maybe?
    www.StreetLightz.com

    Comment


      #3
      Nice write up --- you made it look like shiny metal!

      Originally posted by TypeG
      ... this is the plastic blank in the dash trim. ...
      Sorry, having a brain fart here ... which part is that? I don't recognize it.
      >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

      Comment


        #4




        ^^^ 10 year old coner lenses




        door lock


        armrest (90-91)


        later
        Last edited by TypeG; 08-03-2009, 09:12 PM.
        Avoiding dirt at all costs

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by cyclonus_cb7
          Planning on doing anything else in the interior (ie. black trim garnish) maybe?





          use caution if you do the gauge trim cluster bezel. it's 2 layers of plastic (dark gray under coat with black top coat) you can sand through this topcoat, so be careful here's an example of sanding through:



          here's a gauge cluster trim piece (not mine)




          later.
          Last edited by TypeG; 08-11-2008, 02:46 AM.
          Avoiding dirt at all costs

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by cyclonus_cb7
            Planning on doing anything else in the interior (ie. black trim garnish) maybe?
            he has all of his buttons and stuff polished too... its pretty cool looking, looks like he has shiny buttons all over.


            - 1993 Accord LX - White sedan (sold)
            - 1993 Accord EX - White sedan (wrecked)
            - 1991 Accord EX - White sedan (sold)
            - 1990 Accord EX - Grey sedan (sold)
            - 1993 Accord EX - White sedan (sold)
            - 1992 Accord EX - White coupe (sold)
            - 1993 Accord EX - Grey coupe (stolen)
            - 1993 Accord SE - Gold coupe (sold)
            Current cars:
            - 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon - Daily driver
            - 2004 Chevrolet Express AWD - Camper conversion

            Comment


              #7
              nice ...

              post pics for show 'n tell
              www.StreetLightz.com

              Comment


                #8
                damn typeG thats tight


                Formerly 91AccordExR33
                11.68 @ 127mph
                417whp/375wtq
                Sold: 8/2016

                Comment


                  #9
                  jdm headlight restoration in the near future

                  "Tucking tires and wires."
                  The Chronicles.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    give him some to do i bet he could and nicely too!
                    <

                    (129)Transactions and counting

                    Comment


                      #11
                      damn that looks good. I may try this.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by J-specCb4
                        jdm headlight restoration in the near future
                        this more detailed instruction on polishing the plastic headlights.

                        this is the before pics:



                        first thing i did was put mothers mag and aluminum polish on the headlight:


                        i buffed the headlight for a few minutes, then used the plastic polish and buffed this time by hand, as that is all that is needed after the metal polish.

                        done:





                        don't forget to tape off the headlight so you don't damge the surrounding paint.
                        Last edited by TypeG; 08-11-2008, 02:41 AM.
                        Avoiding dirt at all costs

                        Comment


                          #13
                          your freaking nuts. you are so good at polishing.
                          Last edited by TypeG; 08-11-2008, 02:35 AM.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by TypeG
                            it works very well on those to.
                            here is an OEM turn signal i polished. later.
                            looks like i wont be buying new bumper lenses, ill just keep mine... and polish em!


                            - 1993 Accord LX - White sedan (sold)
                            - 1993 Accord EX - White sedan (wrecked)
                            - 1991 Accord EX - White sedan (sold)
                            - 1990 Accord EX - Grey sedan (sold)
                            - 1993 Accord EX - White sedan (sold)
                            - 1992 Accord EX - White coupe (sold)
                            - 1993 Accord EX - Grey coupe (stolen)
                            - 1993 Accord SE - Gold coupe (sold)
                            Current cars:
                            - 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon - Daily driver
                            - 2004 Chevrolet Express AWD - Camper conversion

                            Comment


                              #15
                              It's the same plastic polish you used? I might do this for my 92 amber corners.
                              Last edited by TypeG; 08-11-2008, 02:35 AM.

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