Need advice on Impala

[wifpd4]

Dear wise ones:

I'm starting this Impala today. This black band on the trunk lid concerns me.

Can it be treated as paint (which it may be) or does it require special treatment? I'm wondering if it isn't different to be translucent for the taillights.

Can it safely be clayed and machine cleaned with a DA? I be starting with a test spot on the trunk lid with SwirlX and Ultimate Compound and perhaps ColorX. The car is heavily swirled and will require a lot of passion.

Thanks for any advice you may offer.

[wifpd4]

Re: Need advice on Impala

oops forgot this...

[Shawn T.]

Re: Need advice on Impala

I think any one of those products will be fine. It looks like it may be clear plastic like the tail lights.

[BillyJack]

Re: Need advice on Impala

That entire panel on a 2000-2005 Impala is one large sheet of plastic. Go easy, since it's softer than paint. You can certainly clay it and use a compound appropriate for the severity of defects, but I'd look into PlastX as a first choice.

Bill

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Need advice on Impala

This section definitely screams for a test spot. Then proceed to the entire area.

[wifpd4]

Re: Need advice on Impala

Thanks for the great advice, it headed me in the right direction. I grabbed a foam applicator pad and tried the most gentle product I had, M205. I started out gently and increased the pressure.

I saw no improvement, nor saw any new damage so I moved up to a PC and the softest 4" LC pad (black) I had. I set the PC at 3. Some improvement and no new marring. Then I jacked the PC up to 5 and it started to work just fine.

I grabbed a Brinkmann, as it started getting dark, and saw more swirls I'll attack tomorrow to finish up before waxing the car.

Again thanks for the timely and helpful advice.