Heat gun used on trim

I

imported_mystic04

New member
Well i read a thread here on trying a heat gun on faded trim. So last night i gave it a try on one section of my explore that's faded really bad.i used a sears heat gun only has one setting so be sure not to sit in one place to long. I used a slow back and forth and then up and down cycle to try and make it even ,seemed to work pretty well. As you heat the trim you will begin to see it change color getting darker .Hope to place some before and after pics this weekend as i do more work. The outcome makes it look almost close to new looking .plus i didn't melt anything nor hurt the paint but when you do get close to the inner edge near the paint i changed the way i held the gun to straight down at the trim so i didn't get too much heat shooting at the paint. the trim will get very warm to the touch closer to hot., and takes a bit of time to cool down again.I am not putting any trim dressing on for at least a week or 2 just to see if the trims begins to fade.Hope this help some others who have read the thread but haven't tried it yet ,just take your time and be sure and keep the gun moving very slow. you will need to get pretty close to the trim in order for this to work i guess i was maybe 1 to 2 inches away at the most.
 
mystic04 said:
Well i read a thread here on trying a heat gun on faded trim. So last night i gave it a try on one section of my explore that's faded really bad.i used a sears heat gun only has one setting so be sure not to sit in one place to long. I used a slow back and forth and then up and down cycle to try and make it even ,seemed to work pretty well. As you heat the trim you will begin to see it change color getting darker .Hope to place some before and after pics this weekend as i do more work. The outcome makes it look almost close to new looking .plus i didn't melt anything nor hurt the paint but when you do get close to the inner edge near the paint i changed the way i held the gun to straight down at the trim so i didn't get too much heat shooting at the paint. the trim will get very warm to the touch closer to hot., and takes a bit of time to cool down again.I am not putting any trim dressing on for at least a week or 2 just to see if the trims begins to fade.Hope this help some others who have read the thread but haven't tried it yet ,just take your time and be sure and keep the gun moving very slow. you will need to get pretty close to the trim in order for this to work i guess i was maybe 1 to 2 inches away at the most.
Click to expand...





Seen a Youtube video on this and couldn't believe how effective it was. I definitely plan to try this if I get a car in with faded trim. :2thumbs:
 
i think the jeep fender flares are different, last time i did a jeep i tried dressing the flares w/ a silicone based product, after i applied it, it just wiped right off. They might have a coating over the plastic or something.



This is a different idea though about the heat gun...never heard about it, might have to give it a try. Trying to figure the logic behind it though, why the heat brings back the color? I guess if it works it works..I was thinking about getting some refinish restorer for a more permanent solution than your average silicone type product..
 
Ever notice how trailer tires check and crack and fade in just a few months, but car tires go for years staying black and supple? It's because the flexing of the sidewalls brings the oils and volatiles to the surface. Unlike the trailer tire that just sits and doesn't get flexed and doesn't bring things up.



Same with a heat gun and plastic trim. The volatiles and oils evaporate from the surface, but there are still some just below the surface. Heating brings them up to the surface. They will evaporate just like the volatiles did earlier, and the trim will again re-fade.



It's a short term fix and a long term problem. Because you are bringing volatiles up from deeper down below, you are more thoroughly damaging the plastic. It will become even more brittle and faded with enough heat gun applications.
 
Peanut butter and a heatgun works better as it doesnt bring the volatiles up from the surface instead permanently puts in new volatiles by heating up the peanut butter and causing a permanent fix that wont damage trim
 
Before Heatgun and Peanut Butter works the best



Trim%20Before.JPG


You can even soak it with degreaser and its not gonna come undone

TrimAfter.JPG
 
RaskyR1 said:
Wonder what else is in the PB then making it more effective...:nixweiss
Click to expand...





probably some fats or weird isht they put in peanutbutter these days. I doubt he's slathering on "all natural" PB.
 
Mindflux said:
probably some fats or weird isht they put in peanutbutter these days. I doubt he's slathering on "all natural" PB.
Click to expand...



LOL.....I wonder if chunky = diminishing abrasive and creamy = SMAT. :D
 
Mindflux said:
probably some fats or weird isht they put in peanutbutter these days. I doubt he's slathering on "all natural" PB.
Click to expand...



Peterpan creamy ftw, Im wondering if its something with the fat and sugars. Either way you get hungry and wanna make a pbj when ever you do use it, bees also like to come admire your work also
 
WMD-DFW said:
Before Heatgun and Peanut Butter works the best



Trim%20Before.JPG


You can even soak it with degreaser and its not gonna come undone

TrimAfter.JPG
Click to expand...



care to give the details? i have a tahoe that has the trim turned white. if you scratch it it flakes of but trim still looks faded. the owner said she would pay for me to fix the trim, but i only knew of short term solutions.



what kind of peanut butter? obviously not chunky, unless you're making a sandwich after. how long do you heat the PB for? thanks
 
I spread it on there and let it sit for about 30mins, and than go over with a heatgun at 1200deg about 1inch a sec, and than wipe it off (You prob wanna get some really cheap mf towels and make them your dedicated peanutbutter towels as nothing will remove the smell and oils all the way)



I use peterpan creamy
 
WMD-DFW said:
I spread it on there and let it sit for about 30mins, and than go over with a heatgun at 1200deg about 1inch a sec, and than wipe it off (You prob wanna get some really cheap mf towels and make them your dedicated peanutbutter towels as nothing will remove the smell and oils all the way)



I use peterpan creamy
Click to expand...



will this get rid of the white crap that builds up on the trim?? or do you degrease prior to PB application?
 
advs1 said:
will this get rid of the white crap that builds up on the trim?? or do you degrease prior to PB application?
Click to expand...



Yea because I rub the peanutbutter in with a plastic toothbrush
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top