Polishing Black Trailer Fender Plastic?

[YamaHog]

Not a big deal really but last fall when I was doing some minor gel coat repair on my 195S just above the trailer fender I unintentionally polished the black plastic with my orbital and a wool pad. I tried to "polish" the whole fender with Meguiars Miror glaze to make it uniform, but now it's just a dull hazy black. I was going to try a foam pad on a drill with Meguiars PlasticX to see if that would restore the glossy finish on the plastic fender, but then I read the label on the PlasticX and it says not for use on coated plastic. Any suggestions for getting the plastic fender a glossy black again, short of painting them, gloss black? Like I said, it's not a huge deal but kind of an annoyance. Gel coat repair on the boat turned out great! Here's picture of the hazy looking trailer fender. Any tips appreciated!

 

[Babin Farms]

Take a propane torch back and forth across it. I’ve done this to “clean up” plastic and give it its shine back. Just keep it moving & don’t melt it.

 

[PEARCE]

If the torch thing doesn't work I'd paint it to get it shiny. That would drive me crazy too having a shiny and new looking boat on a dull trailer.

 

[WV Hillbilly]

If you can’t find anything else... I have a 2021 trailer for a 195S with upgrades for sale in the classified section...

I have had good luck with brushing a torch on other plastic to renew the shine. I would give that a try.

 

[chester2008]

I use this to keep the black plastic on my cars and trailer looking new. Gives it a deep black color but not that super glossy fake black look.

Chemical Guys VRP Vinyl, Rubber, Plastic Shine and Protectant | Chemical Guys

VRP provides a brilliant shine and restores the dark black appearance to plastic and rubber trim. Apply to rubber tires to maintain the dark black finish after every wash. Restore mirror and bumper trim from dull and faded to dark and rich. VRP Protectant leaves no-residue and finishes...

www.chemicalguys.com

 

[Mike Clark]

Try "Wipe New" plastic restore. Used it on many vehicles, it's amazing stuff. Small bottle, do not need allot, just wipe on wet, let dry. Done.

Walmart usually has it, or Amazon definitely has it.

 

[YamaHog]

Take a propane torch back and forth across it. I’ve done this to “clean up” plastic and give it its shine back. Just keep it moving & don’t melt it.
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@Babin Farms , any specific tips on doing this other than keeping the torch moving? About how far off the plastic surface should I keep the flame? I have used propane torches before, but only for soldering copper pipes. This process sounds like it would work well, just want to do the process right. Thanks!

 

[drewkaree]

You could also use a heat gun, it's more forgiving, but can still melt stuff if you aren't focused on the task at hand, and it's definitely slower than the torch.

 

[Babin Farms]

@Babin Farms , any specific tips on doing this other than keeping the torch moving? About how far off the plastic surface should I keep the flame? I have used propane torches before, but only for soldering copper pipes. This process sounds like it would work well, just want to do the process right. Thanks!

Probably about 2” off the surface using a nice slow brushing pattern. You start to see it change but it takes a while. Slow & steady & keep it moving.