A handy tip for the Mk1's faded plastics

[Crossers]

This may have been covered before; if it has I apologise as I haven't found the thread.

Plastic dye is the way forward, I've used it now on some of #360's faded internal and external plastics (grey and black). It is not a paint, as the name suggests it dyes the plastic, it doesn't scratch for flake off.

An example of where I've used it is the door pockets, they go that nasty white colour. You can see around the switch area what colour it should be:







After applying the dye:







They literally look like new.

It does the same to the black external plastics. I'm going to try the grey on the tailgate trim tomorrow.

Paul

[manxseven]

Looks great and thanks for the tip.

Where did you buy the dye from and what brand.

Cheers
Simon

[Crossers]

I opted for the straight 'liquid' dye, Plasticare Trim Dye on eBay at £10.99 a bottle (1 black and 1 Grey). There is a company that supplies spray dye (vinyldye.co.uk). You are limited to Grey and Black in the Plasticare 'liquid' format, but for me its a more controlled application method than the spray. There are far more colour options with the sprays though.

I've used it on the door cards, door pockets, seatbelt plastics (grey bits around the mountings), scuttle panel, bump strips, exterior handles, boot lock, wing mirrors etc etc. It permanently deepens the colour back to new looking and you can use still your usual plastic 'dressing' products to give the blacks a sheen after detailing. Its saved me a fortune in new parts; a lot of the parts I've used it on aren't even available new any more.

The item I was most nervous about trying it on is the tailgate trim. I'm there with the best application technique (I use foam makeup sponges), I just need the balls to try it on one of the rarest bits of a 1!

Paul

[Crossers]

Oh and its useful to note that this stuff is permanent, instantly. It soaks in quickly and once its on its on! That's great for longevity...not so great if you are a messy with it!

p.s defiantly wear gloves as its a t**t to get off skin!

Paul

[PhilW]

Nice tip Paul, the plastics that you refurbished look like new , thanks

[FATBOY]

Is the phase one Tailgate trim no longer available from rpd???

[Crossers]

I tried a stealer and they said no. RPD only lists the phase 2/3 one. All car parts fast can't source one either. I may be wrong however, it seams to vary from dealer to dealer!

Paul

[jamiecrookston83]

Wow. That's fantastic mate. Thanks for that.

[16v_paddy]

You got a link for the stuff? I can only find it in black on ebay

[Crossers]

Yes, but you've got to be really careful not to heat the plastic too much or it distorts, or touch it when its hot. If you touch it, you damage the texturing.

Some parts respond well, other parts not at all. This is the best I could get my scuttle panel.



As you can see, not a great result.

It did work well on my 225's plastics though. I think the Williams plastics were just too far gone.

Paul