Options to Restore Plastic Panels

[charliekwin]

Finally getting around to re-doing all the plastic panels that make up the hatch area.  They came out of the car black(ish) and quite dirty, so I gave them a good scrubbing and found out that they'd been painted -- poorly -- to cover up some pretty decent fading.  There's more cleaning yet to do, but this is what I've got to work with:

I have three options in mind for how to go about restoring/refreshing this stuff...

1.  Mix of boiled linseed oil and paint thinner.  This trick comes up often as a way to fix faded plastic. Pros: it's cheap and easy.  Cons: I don't know how well it works, or long the results will last.  And, if it doesn't work, how the residues of those chemicals would effect the panels for the next two options.

2.  Re-paint them.  SEM's Color Coat in Landau Black appears to be the most popular.  Pros: everyone who's used this stuff seems to love it and if done right, it should provide good results.  Cons: most expensive (though still only ~$100), but mainly a lot of work.

3.  Wrap/cover them.  I'm toying with the idea of covering panels with the same or similar vinyl that I used on the scuff plates.  

It might look good; maybe even really good...but it might also look weird or conspicuously out of place.  It would also cover up repair work I'll have to do on some cracked areas.  It would be fairly cheap and reasonably easy to do.  I haven't really come across anyone who's given it a try, though.

What do you guys think?

[Kurbycar32]

My panels were trashed but mostly intact, i carpeted over them and i think they look great but certainly not original.  On other plastic panels i have used vinyl paint and if done correctly looks real nice in matte not glossy.  Clean the heck out of everything and then mist this paint on in several coats.  Its extremely thin so you dont lose the texture of the panel

 

[Kurbycar32]

and i think paint thinner will eat the surface of your panels, at least the surface texture.  So if you are going to try that do it on a spare panel

[charliekwin]

Just now, Kurbycar32 said:

i carpeted over them and i think they look great but certainly not original

Good to know!  I'm not really looking to keep my car original, but do want to have something that's spiritually consistent with what it was originally.  

Maybe I spoke too soon...it looks like at least one other person out there had the same idea about covering those panels: http://www.zdriver.com/forums/240z-260z-280z-s30-forums-9/260z-restoration-retirement-project-37922/page8/#post342586  Wish he included some photos of the finished product!

 

(And yes, always test chemicals on a hidden section first -- especially with ABS!)

[Z dreams]

If you wrap your panels it's easier with leather. The leather can be pulled and stretched, vinyl can't. 

[grannyknot]

I have been wondering how the vinyl they now use on the outside of cars might look on the panels, it stretches and with the use of a heat gun it seems to be able to take every curve a car can throw at it.

Chris

[charliekwin]

10 minutes ago, grannyknot said:

I have been wondering how the vinyl they now use on the outside of cars might look on the panels, it stretches and with the use of a heat gun it seems to be able to take every curve a car can throw at it.

Chris

I have personal experience using 3M's Scotchprint product.  I made a custom bezel in my G35 and covered it and all the "washi paper" items in the car to match.  It's great stuff: easy to work with, fits around all kinds of curves, and after about a year and a half, hasn't degraded in any way.

The only problem is the finishes it comes in are limited: plain colors, carbon fiber and some brushed metal.  None of which are good for the large panels.

3M also makes Di-Noc, which is similar but apparently designed for architectural use.  I understand that it's a little thicker and harder to work with, but it comes in a huge variety of finishes, including wood and leather.  I looked at the leather as an option (it was my #1 choice, actually) but wasn't able to find online retailers that sell the stuff.  If anyone knows something about it that I don't, please share.

[grannyknot]

That looks like it has real posibilities, vinyl covering for cars is growing in popularity it's just matter of time before more colours and surface finishes are available.

I guess that is the brushed metal texture that you used?

[charliekwin]

Yup, I used the brushed titanium finish, which isn't too far off from the stock look in those cars. (I relocated the stock screen where the ashtray used to be and mounted a Nexus 7 in the stock opening.)

There is some leather styled automotive vinyl available on Amazon, but no mention of the brand or manufacturer. Might be worth taking a chance.

[gwri8]

My interior is the Ginger color. I opted to paint with the SEM products. Even custom color matched the original color at the Automotive Paint Store. SEM has a prep spray called 38363 Sand Free that works well with the panels.  The trick was to apply paint when the Sand Free was still wet. Everything matches and looks like new. It just seem easier to me as you still have to clean everything and prep it.  Then just spray.  Had it all done in a 1/2 day.

[Bonzi Lon]

My interior is off white.  It was very dirty over the 26 years in storage.  I used acetone with white T-shirt pieces until soiled then got another.  The acetone did not hurt the texture, cleaned it very well.  Make sure you have plenty of fresh air.  Then I used several coats of SEM 15103 Super White vinyl dye.  Came out very nice and happy with the results.  I also was thinking about wrapping in leather, but that will have to wait.

 

Bonzi Lon

[cbuczesk]

I used SEM NAPA Red on plastic panels that had started to fade to white. It's been several years and they still look great. It shouldn't cost anywhere near $100 to go this route. I used one can...two at most.

Chuck