Restoring red plastic hood - how to inquiry?

[XRDAD]

I've searched the forums, but couldn't find an answer?

One of my newest projects is a 1996 Honda H5518 tractor. The beast was left in the sun last year with no protection, and the hood has gone from bright red to a dull red. It's made of plastic.
The metal parts of the body are faded also, but I think I can restore those with my DA.

But what can I do for the hood? I took Color X and Scratch X to a test spot, manually.. made it smooth/glossy, but no change to the colour.

Ideas?

[Murr1525]

Re: Restoring red plastic hood - how to inquiry?

Are you referring to painted plastic, or the plastic itself is red?

[XRDAD]

Re: Restoring red plastic hood - how to inquiry?

Are you referring to painted plastic, or the plastic itself is red?

I believe it to be red plastic.. not painted.

[Murr1525]

Re: Restoring red plastic hood - how to inquiry?

A paint cleaner could get some dead plastic off the surface maybe... but other than that you would probably have to go with a dressing like the All Season Dressing or Ult. Protectant, and kind of keep applying that to moisturize it again.

[rmagnus]

Re: Restoring red plastic hood - how to inquiry?

Cool looking tractor! Have you tried sanding an area maybe underside to see if the color goes all the way through? If it does sand a small test spot starting with 2000 or 2500 grit ending with 3000 then buff with a compound and polish just like paint. Just realize these plastic parts do not disapate heat like painted metal so don't go at it hard with a polisher. Follow up with wax. Also you'kk be cleaning your sand paper more frequently dur to the plastic.

Post some pics. Once detailed that tractor should look awesome.

[BillE]

Re: Restoring red plastic hood - how to inquiry?

Is it actually plastic or is it fiberglass (gel-coat)?

If just 'plastic', you have any cleaner/wax (ie, A-12 or similar)...give that a shot in an out of the way area and see how well that will work. Kinda of a starting point.

IF, fiberglass with gel-coat, think 'boat/RV' for an attack method.

Bill