Easy fix for faded hoods

[jts32]

Bring color back to a faded hood with a heat gun. Keep the gun moving to avoid overheating and warping. Also avoid or remove gauges, as the heat will melt the plastic lens(don't ask how I know this :facepalm. It may take a few attempts to get a uniform color across the hood. Not as good as new, but as you can see, it is a hell of an improvement.

 

[Coastiejoe]

It is amazing how it works isn't it.


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[seadooaddiction]

Love this trick!

 

[seadooaddiction]

https://vimeo.com/141805222

 

[Spimothy Leary]

I had limited at best success using a heat gun...not that it didn't restore the fade, but it left an inconsistent pattern behind, kind of streaked.

Meguiars worked much much better and no streaking.... and then I used wipe new to hit the hard to reach spots.

I know we had a couple of thread on it..

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

I would say the heat gun way isn't the restoration quality fix, but it is better than leaving it all chalky I guess. It is the lazy, free way out

 

[Mekanix]

Wonder if there is a way to do this uniformly all at once like in an oven. Or it would be nice to know the exact temp the plastic starts to change. That way you could remove the hood and make an oven to suit and control the temp to exactly whats needed instead of melting it by going too hot.


Maybe use something like the hot gun used to shrink wrap boats since it would have a wide spread but thats probably a bad idea because its definitely way too hot if you hold it too long.

Just some wine thoughts

 

[1of500]

I slightly warped the hood for my xp800 using a heat gun it was off I didn't notice until I put it back on.

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[racerxxx]

I have done a few rare yellow XP800 hoods and hands down the best way is either soft scrub and a blue scotch brite pad to knock the dull down and then hit it with wipe new. If that didn't work the use heavy cut rubbing compound then wash very very good with hot soap and water then hit it with wipe new. I have done the heat gun and it at any point in the plastics life it was in contact with any type of oil it will show. I'm not saying this method doesn't work, but my best personal results where with this mentioned methods. I think Minnetonka gave the idea of the soft scrub with bleach and scrubbie pad.

 

[1of500]

I still hit with wipe new after the heat gun

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[SkierMan]

Which wipe new product and where do you buy it?

 

[Spimothy Leary]

the "as sseen on tv stuff"

I found it at target....they have an as seen on tv section believe it or not.

if I remember when I bought it it it was $20 for one... the tv deal I think is $20 for 2, but they have the BS shipping and handling free, so when I stumbled across it at target I snatched it up.... It was quite effective... I used it on a 96xp800 yellow hood to get the hard to reach spots and it did great, also tried it on my dodge's trim and roof rack (only worked for a few days) the jar dried up on me after sitting for 60 or so days, so I wasn't impressed with the shelf life after opening, but IMO it was money well spent, the only thing i'd do different next time is not set it aside with any unfinished projects because it dried up.

 

[Ankeneyou]

I bought some wipe new a while back but am leary of the longevity of it so haven't used it yet. Will it start to just peel off kind of like poorly sprayed clear coat after a year or two? I don't want to have a big mess on my hands down the road and never be able to get the hood clean again.

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[SabrToothSqrl]

this trick also works on many types of plastic auto parts... fenders, bumpers, etc.

**use at your own risk.

 

[jts32]

I would say the heat gun way isn't the restoration quality fix, but it is better than leaving it all chalky I guess. It is the lazy, free way out

That's why I like this method...FREE. On most of the older skis I have(which usually are resold), I'm looking for ways to enhance the appearance without dipping into the pocket book. I worked in the autobody field for over 10 years, so I am aware of how much you can spend on products and materials, especially anything 3M.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

I bought some wipe new a while back but am leary of the longevity of it so haven't used it yet. Will it start to just peel off kind of like poorly sprayed clear coat after a year or two? I don't want to have a big mess on my hands down the road and never be able to get the hood clean again.

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I didn't see any peeling/negatives but I only had 6 months before I sold the hood but for plastic's" i'd say use it w/o hesitation, it holds well enough and long enough,

for gelcoat like a faded bottom or top deck, its a 1 & done scenario that you will regret unless your just dressing it up for sale.