I think it's called the windshield wiper cowl? Doesn't look bad in pic but I'm tempted to paint it with special plastic spray paint. I just don't want to do it and then regret it later if it starts peeling off or doesn't adhere everywhere like I've seen happen when painting plastics like this.
As everyone pointed out, CLEAN ! then wipe it down with "Grease and wax remover". Fusion works best, spray it WET so you don't leave stripes or swirls.
Wont "back to black" or something like it work on that instead of paint?
Should've taken your advice. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum4/HTML/069618.html Maybe the abomination was because of the brand? It was Rust-o-leum plastic paint. Should've used the Krylon? Just thought I should put it out there.... prep was good with bad results
Read your linked post. You should not have used a pressure washer or denatured alcohol on that part. Dove soap really? I would have used a dishwashing soap like Dawn or Palmolive, no solvents. Let it dry indoors not out in the direct sunlight. When it is dry soak the part with spray can silicone (do this with the cowl panel off the car). Spray a heavy coating on both sides of it. Give it time to soak into the surface of the plastic. Re-spray it with silicone and the second time around wipe it down before the carrier evaporates.
Provided your cleaning was effective, this will make the part look like new.
Read your linked post. You should not have used a pressure washer or denatured alcohol on that part. Dove soap really? I would have used a dishwashing soap like Dawn or Palmolive, no solvents. Let it dry indoors not out in the direct sunlight. When it is dry soak the part with spray can silicone (do this with the cowl panel off the car). Spray a heavy coating on both sides of it. Give it time to soak into the surface of the plastic. Re-spray it with silicone and the second time around wipe it down before the carrier evaporates.
Provided your cleaning was effective, this will make the part look like new.
No...not Dove. It was Dawn dishwashing soap! Got them mixed up (had a few beers last night!) I treated this part like any other body panel and had success in the past...but this part is different. I'll try your silicone treatment when I find a replacement. Thanks, Marc
If the part has had armor all or tire shine or another vinyl or rubber protectant applied alot in the past it may be hard to get clean and degreased enough for paint to stick and last?
If the part has had armor all or tire shine or another vinyl or rubber protectant applied alot in the past it may be hard to get clean and degreased enough for paint to stick and last?
It likely did. That's why I thought washing it with Dawn and then pressure washing it after was a good idea?! Maybe it was cleaning it with denatured alcohol that wasn't such a good idea before I painted. The alcohol was evaporated but maybe left a chemical behind that mixed with the paint causing the issue?
[This message has been edited by Gokart (edited 07-07-2014).]
Denatured alcohol is fine and good for use on brand new plastic pieces. Plastic that is fresh has a skin which for most grades of plastics (especially those used in automotive applications) will be chemical resistant. But in this case the part is at least 26 years old and has been exposed to the environment all that time. The combination of UV, heat cycling in the summer months, and interaction with naturally occurring ozone is what destroys old plastic. Over time and interaction with the environmental factors the skin of the plastic degrades which will significantly affect the chemical resistance of the plastic. I believe that the combination of the denatured alcohol and the pressure washing is what pitted the surface of your cowl.
Denatured alcohol is fine and good for use on brand new plastic pieces. Plastic that is fresh has a skin which for most grades of plastics (especially those used in automotive applications) will be chemical resistant. But in this case the part is at least 26 years old and has been exposed to the environment all that time. The combination of UV, heat cycling in the summer months, and interaction with naturally occurring ozone is what destroys old plastic. Over time and interaction with the environmental factors the skin of the plastic degrades which will significantly affect the chemical resistance of the plastic. I believe that the combination of the denatured alcohol and the pressure washing is what pitted the surface of your cowl.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I could've avoided the embarrassment of destroying this cowl but felt I had to share my experience so others will have better luck! I believe your theory regarding the old plastic. I think it was just the denatured alcohol that sabotaged my painting. I had the gun far away and the highest nozzle (40) and it was a quick rinse. When I was done there was absolutely no pitting. It was still very smooth.
I just hand washed my cowl, dried it, and used Krylon Fusion paint on it. That was about three years ago and it still looks very good (done on a 87 Mera show car).
I just hand washed my cowl, dried it, and used Krylon Fusion paint on it. That was about three years ago and it still looks very good (done on a 87 Mera show car).
Nelson
I wish I would've used that Krylon brand. I thought Rustolem paint for plastic would've been just as good but I'm curious if my results would've been different!?!
I have had good luck with anything Rustoleum, they are as good as Krylon IMO. I use "rubbing alcohol" on pretty much every material before painting and havent had an issue with that either. But I havent painted a Fiero cowl.
