back in a Lotus at last...

[mwmackenzie]

As some may know, I finally got myself another Lotus, an S2 sport 135 in Quartz Silver. Spent a wee while cleaning her this weekend but she's being let down by the black plastics going very grey, tried Meguires Tyre gel, that did nadda, tried the hair dryer, nope, got the plastics too hot to touch but still grey..... What do you guys use on old neglected plastics?

[mikeyb13]

Tried peanut butter?

[philthy]

Good to see mate, looks like a nice one

Id give this a try - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... cat21.html
Its solvent based not just a silicone so should cut back the plastic a bit and make it stay black.

[pjlarge]

I use Autoglym bumper and trim gel - works a treat on all plastics and great for giving the engine bay a once over as well

[ryallm]

S2 135 Sport with the long tail roof? Nice! I had one of them, bought new back in 2002. Great car

[Fluoxetine]

Did you try the boiled linseed oil?

If that's not doing the job, you could follow the more hardcore route...

Acquire some Wurth Plastic Dye - http://www.performancemotorcare.com/blo ... ls-choice/ (Amazon sell it, but it's not cheap).

Remove the trims, and carefully sand them with wet 240 grit W&D, before a generous application of the dye - Might have to repeat the application a few times if they're really bad.

[Corranga]

I use SONAX Xtreme Plastic Restorer Gel on our Panda 100hp. It looks amazing when applied, and seems to last a while, though I guess as with all of these things, re-application is needed. A little goes a long way though..

[mwmackenzie]

Thanks chaps! Great to be back in amoungst it all again! I actually prefer the short roof Mark Might look into a conversion in the future if anyone has some bits kicking about?

Yet to try the boiled linseed oil, actually forgot what it was called when I got to B&Q I'll give it a try though, not sold on rubbing food stuffs into my car lol, I don't even like peanut butter so can't see why my car will hahahahahaha... might be worth a last ditch attempt though as there is some smooth organic in the house

Phil, have you tried that Nanolex reviver? I spoke to Polished Bliss the other week and that's what they recommended although they'd not seen the extent of the greying/bleaching.

How bad was your Panda Chris? As bad as the plastic in mt pics?? if so might give it as go..

These dyes look great but I couldn't get the vents removed at the weekend as the bolt on the side didn't seem to want to move This would definitely be my method of choice looking at it all but I need to get the feckers off first

[Jeremy]

They look too far gone to me for a detailing/valeting product to bring back to life.

I would use Plasti Dip. Incredible stuff, very easy to use and totally idiot proof which is handy if like me, you're an idiot. Check out the YouTube videos. The added advantage is you can paint parts in situ with plasti dip. Warning - it's addictive, you'll be doing wheels and all manner of trim with it in no time.

Regards,

Jeremiah

[mxvx]

Congrats Mark, enjoy.

[j2 lot]

Well done 135 is a good choice a good choice

[Mike Scib]

Looking good Mark.

Enjoy

[Callummarshall]

Car looks cracking!

I'd suggest the reason you haven put had much luck with your plastics from looking at your pictures they are still ingrained with dirt and contamination. When you apply the restorer product it's just sticking to the dirt and limescale ingrained in the plastic. I'd suggest giving them a thoughrough clean with some strong APC and a detaling brush. Maybe go as far as a solvent cleaner.
Peanut butter may work too because it is slightly abrasive and the oils condition the plastic, but you need to remove as much of the white gunk as possible before you start to make your life easier!

[mikeyb13]

It really does work

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tri ... utter.html

[tut]

Tried peanut butter?

We are old fashioned so stick to Vaseline or KY.

tut