Painted plastic doesn`t buff out as well as painted metal. With pics.

**WebDev** · 06-13-2005, 08:43 AM

I got myself a red Miata that had a ton of oxidation and paint defects. I took my PC to it with some 3M Cleaner Wax w/Medium Oxidation remover and a yellow pad (minor cutting). The paint on the metal pieces came back great, but the paint on the bumpers and mirrors didn`t come back nearly as well.

I tried switching to FI-II and that gave the plastic a little more shine, but still not nearly as much as the painted pieces. What should I do for these pieces? Should I get a pad with more cutting ability? Are the products I`m using not the right ones? I`m not sure how to proceed as I`m not sure how the paint differs on the plastic vs on the metal.

Pics, before and after.

http://www.ihatethissite.com/images/...fore-front.jpg

http://www.ihatethissite.com/images/...efore-hood.jpg

http://www.ihatethissite.com/images/...fore-trunk.jpg

http://www.ihatethissite.com/images/...uring-hood.jpg

http://www.ihatethissite.com/images/...er-profile.jpg

http://www.ihatethissite.com/images/...fter-trunk.jpg

http://www.ihatethissite.com/images/...after-hood.jpg

**holland_patrick** · 06-13-2005, 09:39 AM

Welcome to the Site and I see your pain. Normally I would have an answer but i don`t I might need a cleaner like AIO but even that is a guess. anyways welcome to the board and it`s nice to see another CT`er here

**TW85 HHI** · 06-13-2005, 09:51 AM

Scroll down to the title "Aerodynamic Parts." It should answer your question as to why plastics are different.

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/paintclinic.html

**WebDev** · 06-13-2005, 10:11 AM

After reading that section it seems as if I have little recourse and that I may have actually caused more problems by buffing it. Obviously going with more cutting isn`t the answer. Should I look to use a minor paint cleanser on the bumpers? Is there any answer to this problem?

**kyuubi** · 06-13-2005, 10:22 AM

that paint clinic link is very handy

**TW85 HHI** · 06-13-2005, 10:23 AM

WebDev,

Unfortunately, I think the only answer to painted plastic parts is to maintain from day one. I have not been able to restore plastic bumpers to the same extent as painted metal. Painted plastic can be improved but not matched if maintenance falls behind. I take it you are not the original owner? I really do not think there is much room for improvement on the bumpers and mirrors; they DO look better in the after pictures!

**WebDev** · 06-13-2005, 10:56 AM

Yeah, I`m definitely not the original owner. I picked the car up on the cheap and am fixing it up. That kinda sucks that the bumpers are toast as the metal paint shined up nicely. Ah well, the rest isn`t perfect anyway, lots of dings and scrapes.