Suggestions to clean the side bumpers on Xantia.

[ihatecars]

Any suggestions for cleaning and making look great those grey plastic side protectors (halfway up the side of the car about 2" tall) that run down either side ofa Xantia? I have tried some Plastic Trim Cleaner from Halfords which takes an age to apply, I just need something quicker.

I notice the side protectors have a fine lumpy texture to them which seems to hold the dirt. So mine at the mo look a little grey and weatherd but know with the right cleaner would look, well hopefully almost new

Any suggestiond for cleaning??

[Hell Razor5543]

I would use a toothbrush on them, so that you can get your cleaner into those gaps.

[RobinMasters]

They're probably faded rather than dirty. Either rub something oily into them (linseed oil, peanut butter, old engine oil), or gently heat them up.

[Old-Guy]

Oily substances (and that includes Back-to-Black) don't last, attract dirt and make cleaning harder.

The way s/h dealers make grey unpainted plastic external trim look black again is to heat them with a hot air gun - at the same time even quite big dents can be (largely) removed:

First thoroughly clean the plastic with detergent and a softish brush.

Then very carefully heat with a hot air gun on low heat. Keep the gun moving all the time and keep the hot air off all paint-work; use a corrugated cardboard shield held in the other hand when necessary. Do not touch the hot plastic with anything! Experiment on a hidden area first. The plastic will turn black again just below melting point - the trick is to get the surface of the plastic soft without the heat penetrating too deep.

Removing dents requires care and percy-whatsit - then all you have to do is heat-treat all the rest of the trim to restore it all to a uniform and original black

[ihatecars]

wow thanks boys, esp, Old-Guy for giving full instructions because I saw the heat gun trick on YouTube but wasn't sure if it was genuine knowing the opportunity for disaster is high. Now you've confirmed it, next time I'll give it a go, in the meantime I backed out and did the oil trick.

[harryp]

Old guy, does this work on red and silver and bumpers too - but I don't want them turning black