APC staining on plastic?

[evan.f_nz]

Re: APC staining on plastic?

Perhaps I am misunderstanding then. It seems like it could be one of two things to me rethinking it. Either, the lighter spots appeared after using APC, or the dark spots have?

ok, I think I might have been a little unclear in my description. The darker patch is what the whole section from that line down looked like. I got rid of all of it with a quick scrub with apc 10:1. The dark area was still dirty so I scrubbed some more with 4:1. Thats when I noticed the lighter area, it doesn't just look clean but rather a lighter grey than the rest of the plastic. The photo doesn't really show how obvious it is.

I was confused because I didn't think apc would do that (have used 4:1 on the plastic before) and I didn't think you could make plastic lighter like that with any cleaner at all.

I guess what I need to know is whether or not solid plastic can change color/stain at all?

[roushstage2]

Re: APC staining on plastic?

I understand it all now. I'm going to go back to my other question though real quick, is that lighter strip on the panel an area where the driver's leg could rub up against it? The reason I ask is because if it has constantly been rubbed on against for the life of the car, the cleaner may have just been strong enough to remove the worn, final top coat of color off of the panel making it appear the "real," lighter color underneath. Some panels have that extra coat on top. I don't know why...

The dash on my Neon has an extra coat and in one tiny spot, it has bubbled up a bit. Was like that when I bought it, so I am just extra careful when wiping that area down.

[Murr1525]

Re: APC staining on plastic?

Well, it is one of two things:

1. That light part is the real color, and the rest hasnt got there yet.

2. You arent staining the door, but removing the color from the plastic. You could be removing a dye, or removing a film as Tyler says.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: APC staining on plastic?

I would try on this door another cleaning. My thinking is like this. It looks "dirty" in some spots. Another cleaning may leave a more uniform appearance. No "spotting", if you will.

Hopefully this works. Then the area will have a more uniform appearance. It may make the problem less noticeable, if you will.

[evan.f_nz]

Re: APC staining on plastic?

I understand it all now. I'm going to go back to my other question though real quick, is that lighter strip on the panel an area where the driver's leg could rub up against it? The reason I ask is because if it has constantly been rubbed on against for the life of the car, the cleaner may have just been strong enough to remove the worn, final top coat of color off of the panel making it appear the "real," lighter color underneath. Some panels have that extra coat on top. I don't know why...

The dash on my Neon has an extra coat and in one tiny spot, it has bubbled up a bit. Was like that when I bought it, so I am just extra careful when wiping that area down.

I can see where you're coming from but Im in NZ and our cars are all RH drive. I think even if it were on the drivers side that wouldn't be the case, its quite out of the way when driving, my legs are never touching the door. I think it could be a case of what you were saying with the extra sort of layer on top that I might have worn through, I guess i'll have to see what happens when I scrub the rest of the panel really well.

I'm also confused as to why I couldn't remove that strip of dirt when the rest came off. No amount of scrubbing could get it off, what could it be?

[evan.f_nz]

Re: APC staining on plastic?

Well, it is one of two things:

1. That light part is the real color, and the rest hasnt got there yet.

2. You arent staining the door, but removing the color from the plastic. You could be removing a dye, or removing a film as Tyler says.

yep I agree, its one of those. But I don't think the door is so dirty its that much darker. In person its really light and obvious, worse than what is in the photo. I think its removing the color, and if that is possible I think its cos I scrubbed so hard to remove that dirt (which is still there...sigh)

I will try and take a better photo when I get it back to better show how light it is.

[evan.f_nz]

Re: APC staining on plastic?

I would try on this door another cleaning. My thinking is like this. It looks "dirty" in some spots. Another cleaning may leave a more uniform appearance. No "spotting", if you will.

Hopefully this works. Then the area will have a more uniform appearance. It may make the problem less noticeable, if you will.

Yep, i'm certainly going to try my best to clean it and even it out when I get the car back. I still don't know why the strip of dirt is so stubhorn, I think even if I could get rid of that it would look 10x better.

[Murr1525]

Re: APC staining on plastic?

Do you have the Magic Erasers there?

[evan.f_nz]

Re: APC staining on plastic?

Do you have the Magic Erasers there?

I'm not sure, what exactly are they

[evan.f_nz]

Re: APC staining on plastic?

Ok, just googled them, they look interesting will try and find out if I can get them here, i'd imagine so.

[Murr1525]

Re: APC staining on plastic?

Obviously, pick an out of the way spot first, even if it is clean, to check the color problem. But people use those for scuffs on the interior and things, I have never needed one, but an option.

[evan.f_nz]

Re: APC staining on plastic?

Ok thanks, will give it a go. You mean the Mr. Muscle ones yea?

[Murr1525]

Re: APC staining on plastic?

Mr. Clean is the main brand here, a couple other brands may be around here now.

[evan.f_nz]

Re: APC staining on plastic?

Ok, I guess you'd find this sort of thing in supermarkets and stuff, I'll have a look next time I'm there.

[Murr1525]

Re: APC staining on plastic?

http://www.mrclean.com/en_US/magic-eraser.do

Just to be sure, here is the US one. Its like a white foamy block.