Repainting gives new life to aging plastic

Jan. 1, 2020

3 min read

We've all seen the plastic cladding on today's vehicles. From bumper covers and fender flares to side cladding and top cowl panels, these plastic parts can consume much of the vehicle's total identity. Over time, many of these parts fade. What once may have been a black or charcoal gray bumper cover on the showroom floor has since faded into a dreary shell of its former self.

A quick and permanent solution for this problem is to repaint the affected plastic parts. With the right preparation and refinishing products, these plastic parts can easily be painted to look like new again. This is a great way to increase the bottom line and add a valuable service for your customers.

As with most repairs, proper surface preparation is a key component to ensuring a quality job. It is important to remove the contaminants you can see, as well as those you can't see, such as grease and mold release agents. Some of the contaminants may be water based, while some may be solvent based. Since there is no way of knowing what sort of contamination is between you and the repair, it is best to account for both.

Using a high-quality, water-based cleaner designed for the job will remove any water-based contaminants from the part's surface. If contamination still exists, water will bead on the surface. Repeat this cleaning step until water no longer beads.

After cleaning and drying the part, follow up with a solvent-based cleaner specifically formulated for plastic. The solvent-based cleaner will remove any solvent-based contaminants and prepare the bumper for the remainder of the repair.

When refinishing "problem plastics" such as TPO, PP, PPO and TPE, it is important to use a plastic adhesion promoter to ensure topcoat adhesion. Apply the plastic adhesion promoter and allow it to flash off according to the manufacturer's instructions before spraying the topcoat.

Next, apply the paint system of choice. Some companies offer convenient bumper coater aerosols formulated to match many of today's contrasting domestic and foreign bumpers. Unlike reconditioning dressings that must be reapplied, these coatings form a permanent bond to the plastic and provide minimal film build, ensuring the original texture of the bumper remains unaffected.

By incorporating a few steps, many of today's vehicles can receive a facelift that will make them look much better and increase their value. Equally important is how refinishing faded plastic parts on vehicles can add profit to your business.