restoring bumper plastic to new condition for free!

[joostio]

I just finished restoring my front bumper plastic and the rear step, they were incredibly sun fadded, pretty much white in colour. I found a thread on the Aussie forum about using a heat gun. It melts the outer layer of plastic restoring it to its original lustery black! Mine looks awesome, it was one of the things that showed the age of my van and I am glad its fixed. I didn't see it mentioned anywhere on this site so I thought I would pass the info along. Don't be shy, give it a try. I had to hold the gun 1 to 2 inches away and move slowly, looks like you are spray painting it. The finished product didn't look blotchy either.

[loki]

I just finished restoring my front bumper plastic and the rear step, they were incredibly sun fadded, pretty much white in colour. I found a thread on the Aussie forum about using a heat gun. It melts the outer layer of plastic restoring it to its original lustery black! Mine looks awesome, it was one of the things that showed the age of my van and I am glad its fixed. I didn't see it mentioned anywhere on this site so I thought I would pass the info along. Don't be shy, give it a try. I had to hold the gun 1 to 2 inches away and move slowly, looks like you are spray painting it. The finished product didn't look blotchy either.

Thanks, but fyi it has indeed been mentioned on this site numerous times :) nothing wrong with a reminder though :D

[joostio]

yet I see so many turning white.

[loki]

yet I see so many turning white.

I for one just haven't gotten around to it, many, many things higher on the priority list that don't get done, I have a wife, 2 kids, dog and a mountain bike that are all higher priorities for my time :)

[delicat]

Hey, you forgot you can also restore your taillights!( the gray plastic, not lenses!) BUT be careful with those, they'll melt quicker than the rest... Still, once done they'll look like new.

Cheers!
David

[FalcoColumbarius]

I use chemicals... on the vinyl, that is. $15 And a bit of elbow grease and they are flawless.

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And I am not worried about melting my tail lights or stripping the paint near the subject matter, which I might add is what the heat gun is originally designed for.

Falco.

[kb&2dogs]

we had great success with mineral oil (the kind used to condition wood cutting boards). Brought it back nicely and no unkind chemicals or danger of melting anything with a heat gun.