restoring buguards with pics

[vdog0531]

Almost every truck or suv i come across that is a few years old and has a buguard that has been on for any amount of time seems to be completely beat up. Here is what i do to bring them back to new looking.

Products used:
2000 grit sand paper
Meguiards DACP (dual action cleaner polish)
Klasse AIO
Makita 9227 rotary buffer
Edge 2000 medium cut and polishing pad

Process:
I soaked the sand paper in soapy water for about 20 minutes then proceeded to wetsand the guard. Since there is no clearcoat, i wasn`t worried about going "too" deep. After a few passes, i took a towel and wiped dry to look for anymore imperfections. The surface was very smooth but obviously very dull. I then proceeded to use DACP and my rotary with a medium cut pad to polish it out. After the shine was restored, i used Klasse AIO with a polishing pad on my rotary to finish it off and give a little protection.

Here are the pics. I`ve done this to a few guards and all of them come out looking new. Enjoy!

Before anything:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/vdog0531/Jimmy/buguardbefore2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/vdog0531/Jimmy/buguardbefore.jpg

After wetsanding:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/vdog0531/Jimmy/buguardafterwetsanding.jpg

After everything:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/vdog0531/Jimmy/buguardafter2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/vdog0531/Jimmy/buguardafter.jpg

thanks for looking, hope this helps some of you guys out a little. I believe this definately could be done by PC or by hand if you have the patience.

Vernon

[GregCavi]

Very nice writeup!!

Greg

[Boss_429]

Very nice work vdog!

Looks like the paint needs the same deal. :D

[vdog0531]

yes, the paint indeed needs lots of work. I just acquired the vehicle so today was the interior and i just wanted to do the write up on the guard. paint will come soon and i will post lots of pics:)

Vernon

thanks for the comments

[Mikeyzr]

Nice write up! Polishing plastic is not my fortay, but I think I`ll have to take a stab at it now. Looks great!

Mike

[vdog0531]

Nice write up! Polishing plastic is not my fortay, but I think I`ll have to take a stab at it now. Looks great!

Mike


yeah man, give it a shot. these are SO EASY to do. it took me MAYBE 5 minutes and thats with the breaks to take the pics.

Vernon

[mtwedt]

I am curious as to how you used the rotary on the bugshield....did you remove it from the truck first? If so, what did you mount it on to hold it in place while machine polishing? Did you do the reverse side as well? I noted this shield is not transparent....mine goes from a deep smoke at the edge nearest the hood, fading to clear plastic at the top edge and defects on the windshield side of the deflector would show through. My current regimen for it is Meg`s plastic cleaner and VM. I could seal with UPP, I just never thought of doing it. Have you ever tried UPP for this or are using only AIO? Many thanks for a great post...I`ve never seen this topic addressed before.