oxidized paint on plastic

[ToyTruk]

I have a badly neglected white ’93 Previa which has what appears to be oxidized paint (possibly combined with various car wash hot waxes) imbedded in the grey plastic lower panels and bumpers. These aren’t just little spots, it covers almost a quarter of the plastic surfaces and looks like it has accumulated over a period of years. Is there any graceful way to remove this without destroying the texture of the plastic?

[PhatRoyale]

Do you have pics of the area you're referring to?

A clay bar kit used right after a gentle hand wash may be able to do the trick.

[Pb]

Originally Posted by ToyTruk

I have a badly neglected white ’93 Previa which has what appears to be oxidized paint (possibly combined with various car wash hot waxes) imbedded in the grey plastic lower panels and bumpers. These aren’t just little spots, it covers almost a quarter of the plastic surfaces and looks like it has accumulated over a period of years. Is there any graceful way to remove this without destroying the texture of the plastic?

Is the paint oxidized or the plastic? Is it bare plastic? If it's painted then it doesn't matter if the underlying material is metal or plastic. You probably need a good polish. You could try it by hand, but a buffer would be better. Read the Detailing Sticky about polishing.

[ToyTruk]

Originally Posted by PhatRoyale

Do you have pics of the area you're referring to?
A clay bar kit used right after a gentle hand wash may be able to do the trick.

The plastic is unpainted and has a fine textured surface as opposed to being smooth, which is why I was hoping for a chemical rather than a mechanical solution. This stuff must be a combination of oxidized paint and wax that migrated from the body and has resisted everything I have tried including lacquer thinner, petroleum spirits, Simple Green and anything else that I found laying around in the garage. I’m amazed that some of the stuff I tried did not eat big holes in something besides me when I got clumsy.

[Pb]

Oh. Yeah I've messed with bumpers like that. You can't do much, except cover it up. Several coats of Mother's Back to Black will help a lot.

[ToyTruk]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

[Tommy]

A trick from the small bumper VW crowd with plastic bumpers - Use a heat gun and heat up the plastic. i guess it melts the plastic a bit and reveals cleaner, fresh plastic underneith.

You can also tape it off well, then get a couple cans of black bumper paint and repaint it. Works well, lasts a long time.