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Old 06-07-2020, 03:30 AM   #1
M9G
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Restore gone white front grilles

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





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Old 06-07-2020, 09:17 AM   #2
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Hmm, interesting idea. I've never heard of that process.
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Old 06-07-2020, 10:09 AM   #3
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Very interesting I am going to experiment with that idea myself
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Old 06-07-2020, 06:54 PM   #4
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I wonder how long will they last before they go white again.
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Old 06-08-2020, 12:45 AM   #5
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Quote:
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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
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Old 06-08-2020, 05:36 PM   #6
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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
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Old 06-09-2020, 01:36 AM   #7
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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
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Old 06-09-2020, 06:35 AM   #8
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Too bad I had already painted my grilles.
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Old 06-09-2020, 07:09 AM   #9
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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.
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Old 06-10-2020, 06:26 AM   #10
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I never knew this was an option, I will be trying this in the next few weeks!
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Old 07-31-2020, 09:56 AM   #11
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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
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Old 07-31-2020, 09:58 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M9G View Post
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.

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