Best stuff for reviving faded bumpers/general ext. plastics?

AllHailKingVolvo · Jul 15th, 2018, 20:36

Hi all,
My new 1990 740 saloon needs some cosmetic TLC-the bumpers and most exterior plastics are dry and sunbleached. Aside from the regular Back To Black stuff, what products do you chaps favour for bringing stuff like that back to life?

Thanks in advance for any and all thoughts!
Phil

Ukwide · Jul 15th, 2018, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllHailKingVolvo

Hi all,
My new 1990 740 saloon needs some cosmetic TLC-the bumpers and most exterior plastics are dry and sunbleached. Aside from the regular Back To Black stuff, what products do you chaps favour for bringing stuff like that back to life?

Thanks in advance for any and all thoughts!
Phil

Use an hairdryer or paint stripping heat gun, it will bring them back to black and the change is amazing and will last for a long time, just go careful if you use the heat gun mate..

Gary

bob12 · Jul 15th, 2018, 21:24

As above ^^^^, but carefully does it.

I have found the heat in a hairdrier isn't quite enough. Use a low heat on a paint stripper until you get used to handling it. You can also use something like rubbing on some peanut oil.

Things like 'Back to Black' are very temporary and to my mind useless after several applications over time!! Especially as they seem to have changed the formula over the years!

andy_d · Jul 15th, 2018, 22:08

C4 Permanent Trim Restorer
that give the trim a wash with W2 Universal Cleaner Concentrate then apply c4 , job - done for 2 +years if you cleaned it properly first.

psl · Jul 15th, 2018, 22:10

As above heat gun on low setting brings said results

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/attac...7&d=1522604189

Laird Scooby · Jul 15th, 2018, 22:15

Surprisingly, WD40 works well. Spray it on and leave it, making sure you get good coverage. I'd heard about this (and also for plastic dashboards, helps prevent cracking apparently) but never tried it until recently. My lawnmower has a plastic grassbox that had gone a pale battleship grey in the sun - originally black! It's now black again and the slugs and snails also just fall off when i picked it up!

If this sounds like a weird, "snake oil" type fix, think logically about it. Plastic is made from oil originally - the sun dries out that oil, using WD40 which is a petroleum distillate so made from oil as well is adding the natural product back into it.

Someone mentioned peanut oil further up - this is the same principle but a different oil.

chrisfr · Jul 15th, 2018, 22:30

Ditto the above post. Believe it or not it also makes rain bead off quite nicely as well. Maybe peanut oil is a cheaper option as it only costs peanuts!

Laird Scooby · Jul 15th, 2018, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisfr

Ditto the above post. Believe it or not it also makes rain bead off quite nicely as well. Maybe peanut oil is a cheaper option as it only costs peanuts!

But would you want a herd of squirrels following you round trying to eat your bumpers?

Forrest · Jul 15th, 2018, 23:38

I find Autoglym Vinyl & Rubber quite effective. I used to use another well-known product but that has had some very mixed reviews on other forums.

volvoid · Jul 16th, 2018, 08:51

anyone tried shoe polish ?

a luxury blend of waxes oils and pigments......la la la

Jul 15th, 2018, 20:36	#1
AllHailKingVolvo Ye olde Volvii galore! Last Online: Dec 18th, 2023 11:23 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Sherborne	Best stuff for reviving faded bumpers/general ext. plastics? Hi all, My new 1990 740 saloon needs some cosmetic TLC-the bumpers and most exterior plastics are dry and sunbleached. Aside from the regular Back To Black stuff, what products do you chaps favour for bringing stuff like that back to life? Thanks in advance for any and all thoughts! Phil __________________ Barges of Distinction: '96 945 SE LPT M90 '95 945 GLE D24TIC M90 ‘88 745 GL B200E M47

Jul 15th, 2018, 22:08	#4
andy_d Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 21:26 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: birmingham	C4 Permanent Trim Restorer that give the trim a wash with W2 Universal Cleaner Concentrate then apply c4 , job - done for 2 +years if you cleaned it properly first. __________________ 940s - 2l / 92 < gone&missed s401.8 xs auto <gone >V50 2.4SE Geartronic aka "the new money pit" "skyship007 has now been successfully added to your ignore list. "."

Jul 15th, 2018, 22:15	#6
Laird Scooby Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 20:02 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lakenheath	Surprisingly, WD40 works well. Spray it on and leave it, making sure you get good coverage. I'd heard about this (and also for plastic dashboards, helps prevent cracking apparently) but never tried it until recently. My lawnmower has a plastic grassbox that had gone a pale battleship grey in the sun - originally black! It's now black again and the slugs and snails also just fall off when i picked it up! If this sounds like a weird, "snake oil" type fix, think logically about it. Plastic is made from oil originally - the sun dries out that oil, using WD40 which is a petroleum distillate so made from oil as well is adding the natural product back into it. Someone mentioned peanut oil further up - this is the same principle but a different oil. __________________ Cheers Dave Next Door to Top-Gun with a Honda CR-V & S Type Jag Volvo gone but not forgotten........

Jul 15th, 2018, 22:30	#7
chrisfr Member Last Online: Apr 2nd, 2024 15:41 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South west france	Ditto the above post. Believe it or not it also makes rain bead off quite nicely as well. Maybe peanut oil is a cheaper option as it only costs peanuts! __________________ Volvo xc60 my17 SE premium lux nav d5 (230 bhp ) polestar, stop start, winter and family packs, twilight bronze, blonde interior and carpets.

Jul 16th, 2018, 08:51	#10
volvoid Monster Raving Loony Last Online: Nov 12th, 2018 20:03 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: hitchin	anyone tried shoe polish ? a luxury blend of waxes oils and pigments......la la la __________________ 1994 850 2.0 bought at 32,000 miles used daily now 45,000. Still like a nearly-new car 2004 filthy polluting diesel VW

Jul 15th, 2018, 21:24	#3
bob12 bob12 Last Online: Yesterday 18:45 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Woking	As above ^^^^, but carefully does it. I have found the heat in a hairdrier isn't quite enough. Use a low heat on a paint stripper until you get used to handling it. You can also use something like rubbing on some peanut oil. Things like 'Back to Black' are very temporary and to my mind useless after several applications over time!! Especially as they seem to have changed the formula over the years!

Jul 15th, 2018, 22:10	#5
psl Master Member Last Online: Feb 8th, 2024 15:31 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Melton mowbray	As above heat gun on low setting brings said results https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/attac...7&d=1522604189

Jul 15th, 2018, 23:38	#9
Forrest VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 20:34 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gloucester	I find Autoglym Vinyl & Rubber quite effective. I used to use another well-known product but that has had some very mixed reviews on other forums.

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