Plastics In One PIO
Guides
How to paint a model car using plastic paint
Handbrake Gaitor
BMW X5 E53 BONNET VENT RECONDITION / REPAIR
Using Plastics In One (PIO) we can bring old faded plastics, leather, vinyl, and trim back to new, with a lasting, flexible and hard wearing finish.
For the purposes of this guide the vehicle is a 2004 Facelift bmw X5 3.0D. Several items have faded/ degraded, and we will start with the bonnet plastic vents. These could be colour coded, but we are going to restore them with minimal effort, tools or time to as new condition.
- The vent is highly oxidised, and leaving this for a period of time allows the UV damage to Embrittle the plastic. So not only can we improve the aesthetics, we can help ensure the part lasts longer.
2. to remove the vent lift the bonnet, and using gentle force, push the vent from underneath. Whilst doing this, spring the four main clips holding the unit in place. Start at one end. Once the four clips are dislodged and no longer holding the unit, tap the unit out by hand, and remove.
3. The vent is a two piece unit with opposing grills, and to do the job properly you need to separate the two parts.
4. Using two screwdrivers, use on screwdriver between the two parts to place some load against the securing clips. Then using a Slot screwdriver, twist gently against the securing clip to allow it to pass under the retaining bar. Repeat this for the clips along the edge all around the outside.
5. One you have dislodged all the clips the unit will come apart, looking like this.
6. So that the PIO Adheres correctly and lasts a long time we need to remove the worst of the oxidisation. You can do this with a small brass wire brush and/ or a scotchbrite. The wire brush is alot quicker and easier.
7. Shake the PIO aerosol for a full two minutes after the ball inside is free and starts to mix the paint inside. You need to spray each part at 90 degree intervals. so thats from four opposing angles so that you cover the whole item. Place the items upside down on a clean dust free surface, and spray them. Leave them to dry for 30 minutes, or force dry them faster using air/ hot air.
8. If you want a dull satin/ matt finish then spray from further away and do several light coats. If you want a glossier finish spray closer and put more product on. We also do a clear lacquer for a full gloss which can be sprayed over the top.
Once fully cured you can clip the unit back together, pressing all the retaining clips under the retaining bars.
9. We sprayed the unit with the Washer jet in place, but you can remove it with a simple press of the clip. However ours was faded. Be careful not to block the washer jet when spraying it, so spray lightly. If you intend to put more paint on for a glossier finish, then you should remove the washer jet, and paint this separately. locating a pin in the jet carefully and removing after spraying is another alternative.
With PIO you can also choose a textured finish, which is a fine sandpaper type finish. Great for hiding marks!
10. And the result after 10 minutes work....
Products Used.
BMW X5 E53 HANDBRAKE GAITOR RECONDITION REPAIR
Using Plastics In One (PIO) we can bring old faded plastics, leather, vinyl, and trim back to new, with a lasting, flexible and hard wearing finish.
For the purposes of this guide the vehicle is a 2004 Facelift bmw X5 3.0D. The handbrake gaitor has faded, and has some minor abrasion. We can restore this item to a near as new condition in minutes, and with minimal cost.
You will need :-
- scotchbrite (use a decent one like this, not a kitchen scour)
- Zip ties
- Cutter to remove existing zip tie
- Plastics In One in the correct colour for your interior
- Start by removing the existing gaitor. This can be done by hand, simply lifting it from the back, and using minimal force pull the gaitor towards the front of the vehicle freeing the retaining clip at the back.
- Lift the gaitor up and pull it towards the gearstick area exposing the retaining zip tie.
- Avoid using cutting tools directly on the zip tie, as you will most likely damage the gaitor. Use a small screwdriver to get between the gaitor and the zip tie. Then, cutting away from you, cut the zip tie, and remove the gaitor. Use gentle force, take your time.
- remove the gaitor to somewhere you can prep it
- Using the scotchbrite abraid and dull off the entire outside surface. If grease/ dirt is present wash the gaitor and allow it to fully dry before abraiding. You not aiming to remove the black coating, simply to dull it for PIO to adhere to.
- One prepped, follow the instruction on the PIO can (H&S, and shake can for required duration). Spray the Gaitor. If you want a dull satin finish, use lots of very light coats, from a greater distance. If you want a higher sheen finish, spray closer and slower. Avoid very heavy coats due to runs.
- Once sprayed leave the gaitor for 30>60 minutes in warm dry air (you can use a fan to speed up the process) to dry. Once dry, invert the gaitor and slide back on to handbrake as shown.
- The hardest part of the job is relocating the gaitor and the indent on the handbrake with the zip tie. This is incorrect and will eventually come loose.
- The zip tie must pull the gaitor in to the locating groove in the handbrake for it to be secure like so.
- Once secured, refit the gaitor (lower part first). After the frame is seated, push the gaitor down inside the frame either side, With foot on brake, let off the handbrake, and ensure the gaitor allows full movement and is seated correctly. if should look like this.
Radio Controlled RC car painting
PLASTICS IN ONE PIO
Here is the process on a Radio Controlled Tamiya Lunchbox refurbishment. This process can be used on lots of things including msot types of: -
- Rubber including tyres, gaiters, trim covers
- Vinyl such as steering wheels and seats
- hard plastics like ABS bumpers, interior dash parts
- Powder coating such as Wheels, engine parts, bumpers, bike frames, and seat frames
- Flexible plastics such as wheel arches
- Difficult materials such as Stainless steel
- other materials like door cards, polyurethane coated interior trim panels
Products Used
Plastics In One Aerosol (Colour. Lucas Bluewater tribute colour)
BLACK PLASTIC PAINT/ TRIM AEROSOL
1.
Remove the body and strip it down to its basic parts.
2.
First thing we need to do is clean it up. A TINY amount of washing up liquid, a new scour, and clean the item up.
3.
Once fully cleaned down, rinse the sponge out thoroughly, and then spend a good 2>3 minutes washing down the item under warm fresh flowing water to remove all traces of the washing up liquid and dirt.
4.
Once cleaned and dried, you will be left with the original finish. This needs Keying in preparation for the Quora colour you have chosen. If you do not Abraid the surface the adhesion of the product will be reduced and damage and chipping will occur easier.
5.
Beware that any moldings on the item will leave spots that have not been keyed. You will need to pay particular attention to these and use a flexible sanding pads to prepare these areas for painting / spraying.
6.
Shake the can until the agitator ball can be heard, and then shake for a full two minutes.
Spray in the hidden areas first such as on this example the wheel arches, and bottom faces. Allow a short while to cure (in this case 20 minutes).
7.
Position the aerosol 6 inches past the piece you are going to spray. Press the nozzle and in one motion pass the aerosol past the item. Do not release the nozzle until you are past the item. We do this so you do not initiate, or cancel the spraying whilst on the piece, as this can lead to splatter and an uneven finish.
8.
Repeat the process all over the item, building up a good coat, and then allow to cure for at least 30 minutes. You may have sanding, preparation or previous usage marks like we do.
9.
We opted to flat back the first coat to reduce some of the marks and scratches from previous use. (We could of opted for plastic primer, followed by rapid build filler, and then the top coat, but we know this will be getting damaged again so no point making it perfect).
10.
We then sanded back and sprayed the other components using Buzzweld black Bumperspray.
TIP. Leave any screws and fitting you want colour coding in the item to be sprayed.
11.
Re- assemble the item.
12.
The finished article.
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