I Try Restoring Plastics With A Heat Gun (So You Don't Have To).

Hey guys, I know this idea has been around for a while, but I have always preferred paint at my method of restoration. Today I decided to try out the heat gun method to bring some life back to my plastics. I try out some cowl cover plastic (same as door trim and pumpers) as well as trying out the what gun on the Xterra window trim. Hope you enjoy and let me know how it works out for you if you try it.

**This video is being performed by an experienced individual. Any attempt to repair automotive parts or its systems carries risk of personal injury. Always follow safe practices when working on vehicles such as using safety glasses, jack stands, not wearing loose clothing, etc. No guarantee or warranty is implied by these videos. Use the information in this video at your own risk. If you don't think you can perform the job then do not attempt it.

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Timestamps:
Intro: (0:00)
Titan Cowl: (1:00)
Xterra Window Seals: (4:33)
Outro: (7:00)

#howto #nissan #auto

[franciscocontreras]

This is actually a great idea for people who detail clean vehicles because they can actually restore and enhance some of their customer's vehicles at no extra charge but as a form of experimentation and also going that extra mile to get repeat work.

[pkbauer]

Thanks again Ry for all the great content, was wondering if you ever considered doing an Xterra video covering the Big 3/alternator upgrade as I do not think a high quality video of that topic is readily available. Anyway, just a thought, take care.

[GothicOutlaws]

I use this method along with Forever Black after the heat gun project. Never had a customer come back and complain. lol

[Spragoo]

I’ve used a product called “penetrol” - it’s a paint additive that actually has held up better than other restoration gels. A can runs under $10 and there’s enough in there to cover the X 3-4 times over. Application is super easy - I’ve read that it’s a detailing industry trick.

[mtbbikerbrady]

Did it on my Xterra and it looked good for about 3 months and then it looked worse than before. Faded back to gray pretty fast. I also blistered my paint in a few spots. Spray on Plastic Dip has yielded much better results for the plastics.

[dpalm]

I used Duplicilor trim and bumper spray paint on the plastics on my Xterra and they look like new. It still looks great even after years of abuse from camping and the Florida sun.

[HalJalikakik]

I have used a heat gun on plastic door cards and the rear seat plastic molding for my ‘74 Challenger restoration project to smooth minor scratches. It works really well but if you hold heat too long you will lose the molded texture. Practice (just as you did) on a scrap piece is a must. I would not use this method to refresh color however as I found it lacked uniformity. I went with SEM paint specifically designed for these plastics. If you go that route you need to use the prep spray as well which promotes adhesion. I actually took green interior plastic and changed to black with the SEM product and it looks great. My biggest caution with a heat gun is the possibility of permanently irreversible damage from holding it too long on one area. Lastly, be super careful with a heat gun near painted surfaces.

[tycox]

I painted my cowl. Used an adhesion promoter, paint for plastics, and a matte clear coat. Still looks new after four years.

[williamwilliams]

I would suggest trying Eastwood's Plastic Restorer. Used I the cowl of my 08 Xterra about 4 years ago and the cowl still looks new. Have been tempered to try on bumpers but want test piece because it may work but the plastics are grey.
Also be careful using the heat gun near paint. Heat guns are used the soften and remove paint. You could damage the clear coat or bubble your paint.
Not good. Great site. Bill

[ELEVOPR]

I saw a video where someone applied clean new Motor oil to the plastic after heating it up, this way the oils would Penetrate into the plastic while it was hot and last forever.

Apparently that is what is happening when you hear up the plastic, the oils are coming back up to the surface?

[TitanTown]

I've done this on our escape before and it worked for a while but turned out worse than before after a couple of months. Also warped some of the plastic.

[aronmonta]

Thank you very much for the videos you put out about Nissan Xterra. I am a Toyota and BMW person and recently purchased a Nissan Xterra and your videos have saved me money and time. I’m still learning about my Xterra and your videos makes it so much easier. Thank you again very much!

[richardgeorge]

I wonder how this will hold up compared to other methods, like a ceramic coating. Maybe you could do/apply both and see how they hold up down the road.

[carltongossett]

Ray can you help me with Gas tank strips on my nessan extra ? They are so Rusted for I have Rounded the one going to the Frame . How would you go about getting it out thanks Carl

[kinein]

I've seen that perhaps lower heat and constantly moving to avoid excessive overheating of the plastic may help avoid the marking or warping.

[callanbrown]

Yes bleaching = oxidisation. Watch out for warping. Trust me I've done a lot of this. Trick is don't let the while plastic part heat up. Intense quick heat melt the top. Get heat away. If not perfect, , let it cool down first... also make sure u rub down the plastic to remove as much of the white oxidated plastic as possible. Melamine sponge is good

[DesertFernweh]

I would be curious if heating then applying 303 would help preserve the result.

[richbanister]

Thanks for exploring the options. I am going to try bed liner on my bumpers. Does it create a texture?

Your grill disassembly and painting video was quite helpful. The afternoon sun had stripped paint off the plastic and it is now shiny silver once again.

[Mike.D.]

I have used the heat gun method on my Xterra for a while now. It does work very well, at least the first few times. After a few times of doing this, it does seem to end up making the fading worse, which will probably just lead to needing to paint the plastics. My front bumper plastic, rear bumper center top plastic, and the rear side bumper plastic step inserts are very faded out now and will probably need to be painted. Maybe using the heat gun, and then finding some sort of UV protectant to treat the plastic with afterwards might give better long term results.

[marb]

Do you have any vidoes on restoring the trunk panels in the cargo area of the Xterra? Mine are scuffed to hell and I'm not sure if I should bed line, paint it, heat gun it, or buy new ones.