Restore gone white front grilles

[M9G]

My plastic front bumper grilles had gone white over many years

Easy solution to restore them back to black rather than painting, I removed mine by removing the bumper but I suppose could be done still on the car just go careful. Bumper only took 10 minutes to remove so this might be something to consider.

All you need is a heatgun, this will draw the oils in the plastic back to the surface and restore them back to their original colour.

Literally a five minute job

[Racer Boy]

Hmm, interesting idea. I've never heard of that process.

[blue62]

Very interesting I am going to experiment with that idea myself

[JimmyBad]

I wonder how long will they last before they go white again.

[M9G]

Originally Posted by JimmyBad

I wonder how long will they last before they go white again.

Little trick I learnt back in the 80's, done it many times and has a lasting result

[blue62]

Originally Posted by M9G

Little trick I learnt back in the 80's, done it many times and has a lasting result

how hot are you getting them?
to hot to touch or????
Wondering if I could do the wheel arch guards on my CRV without removing them and not burn the paint

[M9G]

Originally Posted by blue62

how hot are you getting them?
to hot to touch or????
Wondering if I could do the wheel arch guards on my CRV without removing them and not burn the paint

It will literally be instant, within a couple of seconds you will see it going black

I know from experience it DOESNT work on all plastics

Only way you'll know is try it away from any painted areas and if it doesn't turn within a few seconds then its not the right plastic

[Racer Boy]

Too bad I had already painted my grilles.

[blue62]

Originally Posted by M9G

It will literally be instant, within a couple of seconds you will see it going black

I know from experience it DOESNT work on all plastics

Only way you'll know is try it away from any painted areas and if it doesn't turn within a few seconds then its not the right plastic

Thanks for the info.

[rick3000]

I never knew this was an option, I will be trying this in the next few weeks!

[lkchris]

New ones are $65.

FYI these grilles are factory painted titanium silver when installed on S versions and then don’t biodegrade.

https://www.gaudinporscheparts.com/oem-parts/porsche-grille-9865055530101c

[lkchris]

Originally Posted by M9G

It will literally be instant, within a couple of seconds you will see it going black

I know from experience it DOESNT work on all plastics

Only way you'll know is try it away from any painted areas and if it doesn't turn within a few seconds then its not the right plastic

Iirc the type of plastic is actually molded into these parts ... to help recyclers.