DIY plastic polishing

[TypeG]

i posted this on cb7, but i thought you guys should know about it as well.
*note* only polish hard plastic. it will turn into power when sanded. the softer plastic will not powder and will be difficult to polish. if it is flexable it is to soft. there are not a lot of things on the car that are hard plastic. most of the interior is soft plastic. test on unseen areas first. do not use anything other than hand sanding. machine sanding may make the plastic melt.
for taillights, blinkers,you shouldn't have to sand. that is usualy only for sanding the texture off the interior pieces. only sand in extreme cases(deep scratches, nicks, blemishes, ect.) you can use mag and aluminum polish first, then use the plastic polish to make it crystal clear.
i recomend a drill with a buffing attachment to cut out a lot of work.
materials:
-plastic polish
-sandpaper (600g-800g-1000g)
-cotton polishing cloth
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf31b3127cce950aa1b1234800000016108Aas2zFi1buK
this is to show you how to polish plastic in and around your car. this is the plastic blank in the dash trim. to polish it, begin by sanding the texture off of it with 600g sandpaper til the texture is smooth. then follow with 1000g to knock it down some more and smooth it further.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf31b3127cce950aa1e0a22900000016108Aas2zFi1buK
this is what it will look like after sanding
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf31b3127cce950aa4a6e2f500000016108Aas2zFi1buK
now you are ready to use the plastic polish. apply it to the polishing cloth and buff until all the fine scratches disappear and a reflective finish appears. it should look like this when done.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf31b3127cce950aa438e26b00000016108Aas2zFi1buK
clock
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df04b3127cce97423a12eee700000016108Aas2zFi1buK
here are some more: the seat levers. a before pic\/
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf39b3127cce95d18c06470200000016108Aas2zFi1buK
after\/
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf39b3127cce95dcc0dce68100000016108Aas2zFi1buK
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf39b3127cce95dcc15d27a800000016108Aas2zFi1buK
a side by side comparision of before and after.\/
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf39b3127cce95d18d4607da00000016108Aas2zFi1buK
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df36b3127cce96bb4772361800000016108Aas2zFi1buK
later.

[TypeG]

some more:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf06b3127cce95e1a077d1f100000016108Aas2zFi1buK
OEM blinker
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf30b3127cce9536f4e67b1600000016108Aas2zFi1buK
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf02b3127cce95f44ff9d30900000016108Aas2zFi1buK
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df29b3127cce96fbf98eb01500000016108Aas2zFi1buK
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df31b3127cce969473129c8100000016108Aas2zFi1buK
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df39b3127cce96a14efd390800000016108Aas2zFi1buK
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df39b3127cce96a2a93019fa00000016108Aas2zFi1buK
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf29b3127cce95013812ce5b00000016108Aas2zFi1buK
later.

[paso100]

That's some beautiful stuff. You got me thinking. Thanks for the tips.

[B16KILLA]

Hell yeah!!i gotta get me some of that.

[ICEMAN707]

good info! usually when i want to polish something i use 600, 1500, and 2000 grit sandpaper, then 3M rubbing compound with a powerball attached to my drill. nice to know about the plastic polish. thanks! it's about time we get some useful noobs in this forum that actually contribute something worthwhile! welcome to the board man. :rockon:

[2drSE-i]

useful noobs lol.

[ICEMAN707]

lol anyways, just curious...what are these from? kinda gave me an idea for something.



http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf06b3127cce95e1a077d1f100000016108Aas2zFi1buK

[TypeG]

they are defrosting vents located on the dash. one is polished, the other not. later.

[ICEMAN707]

yeah but for what car? anyways, i guess i'm misjudging their size. they look big in the pics and thought they might be good hood or fender vents for the outside of the car, but i guess not....oh well.

[TypeG]

a 4th gen accord. and they are only about 2 inches long. later.

[A18A]

i wanna see them gold plastic thingies in your car, that looks soooooo coool

[TypeG]

i wanna see them gold plastic thingies in your car
??? i don't know what you are saying.


i bet this stuff would work real good on the pieces on the headlight and grill. later.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc28b3127cce9708f9fcccf300000026108Aas2zFi1buK

[Acid X]

The first picture of that plastic piece you showed step by step looks almost like gold at the end. That's what he's talking about...

[TypeG]

in that case, its the piece in the middle of the vents. later.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5db03b3127cce918178291fee00000026108Aas2zFi1buK

[Acid X]

YOu should hae left the top of the dash black, but left that front molding stuff the silvery white that it is. That looks great.

[A18A]

yeah, sorry, im just a very pathetic person at speaking online

[A18A]

whats that switch for on your dash above your heater on the right?

[frankie89]

nice work, excellent info, imma try this on my DA...

[BITESIZE]

Thats genius!

[gp02a0083]

i got this stuff from my dads work its some kinda lens compound in a foam pad that u put on a drill , it works great on anything plastic

[racerx]

dude, that is totally awesome. and the dash looks flippin sweet too (imo).

i love all the custom work. hats off to you! :D

[HondaBoy]

you know i was reading this yesterday. it really seems like a good idea. i'll have to try this out.

[racerx]

*double post?*

[TypeG]

whats that switch for on your dash above your heater on the right?
its a switch i regret putting there and i will fix it someday soon i hope. it was for some foglights i don't have anymore. later.

[EricW]

That looks great. I'm going to have to go buy some of that.

[86lxinva]

ima have to try this! good stuff

[3rdgenhatchDX]

LOOKS AWESOME!!!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf39b3127cce95d18d4607da00000016108Aas2zFi1buK
I'M NOT GONNA SAY WHAT THESE LOOK LIKE THO, THAT BELONGS IN OT X!

[AccordEpicenter]

lol yeah muahahah

[mrrlx]

wow..it gives the accord a more updated look. thanks for the DIY..very informative!

[flyingmen4]

Nice !!! I like !!!

[kaltenacht]

great job, i've got to try that!