Cleaning/polishing/waxing exterior plastic panels help!

[Guest]

Hello,

Im new to the forum, but i have searched several threads about my problem but couldnt find any information. Im about to purchase a 2005 Smart ForTwo (450 model). As some of you may know, it has painted (or as smart describes it - paint infused) plastic panels, as well as normally painted metal body parts (that make up the "safety cell"). Both materials have a normal clear coat on them.

I know its not a popular car to "detail", but i would be happy hearing from anyone that has experience with detailing these cars or has any idea on what could be used to polish/wax plastic panels.

1) Can i use normal car paint polish and wax on the plastic? If not, which product, if any, can i use?

2) Do you have any tips on polishing and applying wax (both done by hand)for plastic panels?

I have thought about Meguiars deep crystal polish, or clear coat safe rubbing compound, or clear coat safe polishing compound for the car in question. Am i completele wrong assuming these products would be a good fit?

Ps: I have heard that M205 polish is good, but since im in europe, and meguiars isnt so readily available in my country, they only have the big packages which are frankly too expensive for me to buy and test out..

Thanks!!

[davey g-force]

Re: Cleaning/polishing/waxing exterior plastic panels help!



1) If the plastic panels are painted (clear coat is paint too), then yes, you can treat them as if they were normal painted metal panels. There is a chance of overheating with plastic when using a rotary and a slight chance when using a DA, but neither of those apply to you since you're working by hand. Go ahead and polish and wax to your heart's content!

2) Again, nothing special for painted plastic panels. If working by hand, do a search for "cheetah spots" on here and have a read (this applies regardless of whether you're working on painted plastic or not).

[mxd15]

Re: Cleaning/polishing/waxing exterior plastic panels help!

1) If the plastic panels are painted (clear coat is paint too), then yes, you can treat them as if they were normal painted metal panels. There is a chance of overheating with plastic when using a rotary and a slight chance when using a DA, but neither of those apply to you since you're working by hand. Go ahead and polish and wax to your heart's content!

2) Again, nothing special for painted plastic panels. If working by hand, do a search for "cheetah spots" on here and have a read (this applies regardless of whether you're working on painted plastic or not).

Thank you very much! I have checked the cheetah spots out in the thread. Pretty scary stuff. It says it is very important to use the right product, could you give an example of the right product? Somehow i believe the paint on a smart isnt too hard, its rather on the softside to be able to flex with the plastic and not crack. - thats just the way i believe it is.