Sealant / Clear Bra

J

jr weeks

New member
A friend of mine asked me this , and I really didn't know what to tell him.



He has a surface scuff on a plastic panel in the interior of a SUV, and the scuff is a different ( lighter ) color. I do see this a lot, as most of you probably also do. Can anything be done besides just applying 303 or similar? Anyone ever try to sand smooth and/or retint this type of plastic problem?



I honestly don't know of an easy and cheap fix. Thanks fellers.
 
Personally, I think this may depend on the scuff. If it is just a scuff from a shoe or something, it could be rubber or something else on the surface of the plastic. Clean it first with soap and water, IPA, or some other cleaner. Rub well, see if it changes.



If not, the scuff is more of a scratched section where the glossy top layer of the plastic has been forcefully removed (how violating..). I have asked the question of scratches in plastic before and gotten different info.



Don't sand it if it is textured! You will change the look of the plastic.



Try using an abrasive compound on the area and then move to a lighter compound if need be. FI-II is supposed to work pretty well. If that doesn't work, try some rubbing compound and go back over it with a moderate abrasive like FI-II.
 
You might want to try Novus plastic polish. They have 2 different grades. One for cleaning (blue bottle) and polishing scratches (red bottle). It is really good for cleaning taililght lenses and console plastic.
 
Ok, It's actually a scratch, abrasion of the surface plastic, not a mark like a shoe would leave etc. Not hairline thin according to what my friend Adam told me, maybe 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide , not deep per se, but the plastic surface IS damaged .



I know if it were compounded or wet sanded smooth, the color might change all the more over a wider area, so that wouldn't help. I understand about the texture, makes sense. Most of that stuff is textured too. Tough call, but your advice is appreciated. Thanks
 
I would try to match the color and "fill" it in with color, but only on the scratch not the surrounding areas. Basically its the lesser of two evils, either big long white mark or a faded looking same color mark (but if you're lucky) a same color mark if you matched it correct.
 
It's very difficult to remove scratches from interior plastic. It can be done with a heat gun, but it's very difficult to do and I would not recommend trying it.
 
If applying the clear bra over a bumper I am assuming you should just polish and then IPA it first.
Is this correct or should you apply a sealant before the bra as well. I'm assuming the sealant would interfere with the bra attaching. Is this correct?
 
CEE DOG said:
If applying the clear bra over a bumper I am assuming you should just polish and then IPA it first.
Is this correct or should you apply a sealant before the bra as well. I'm assuming the sealant would interfere with the bra attaching. Is this correct?
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Apparently not. I recently had VentureShield applied to my '11 BMW and I was asked to put a layer of sealant prior to the application. Apparently this is new, as I've had venture put on many times and this was the first time it was requested.
3 months later no signs of bra adhesion issues :thumbup:
 
I would think any wax or sealant would affect the adhesion of the film. Of the installers I've seen apply the film over the years they have always wiped the area down with a wax and grease remover prior to application....though it's been a while since I've seen it done. ;)
 
RaskyR1 said:
I would think any wax or sealant would affect the adhesion of the film. Of the installers I've seen apply the film over the years they have always wiped the area down with a wax and grease remover prior to application....though it's been a while since I've seen it done. ;)
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Thanks Chad. That would seem logical to me as well. Maybe some of them like "ventureshield" are different somehow.
 
CEE DOG said:
Thanks Chad. That would seem logical to me as well. Maybe some of them like "ventureshield" are different somehow.
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Maybe, but I doubt it.

I actually detailed an S4 a few month ago where I was able to remove the clear bra as if it were Saran Wrap! No heat needed either and it left zero adhesive behind. Came off in less than 60 seconds! Poor prep (wax) would be my guess as to why it came off like it did.
 
I have had several Venture Shield Bra's put on a few new cars in the past, and just had one installed last year on my '09 Grand Cherokee.
Each time, the guys wiped the area down with a spray bottle of IPA/water, and then did the install, so it doesnt really matter what you do beforehand, as the IPA spray should knock enough of it down anyway.

DanF
 
My issue is I would prefer to be the last one wiping it before they put it on. I don't want them scratching it before they put the plastic down. Who know what crappy cloth they might use. I'll talk to them and see if they will let me prep it. I'm sure most of them do a fine job but I'd hate if I was the one to get the wrong guy doing it.
 
CEE DOG said:
My issue is I would prefer to be the last one wiping it before they put it on. I don't want them scratching it before they put the plastic down. Who know what crappy cloth they might use. I'll talk to them and see if they will let me prep it. I'm sure most of them do a fine job but I'd hate if I was the one to get the wrong guy doing it.
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I wouldn't blame you a bit and it might make them understand that they better do a top notch job.



Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
 
You are correct in wanting them to use the best towel for the wipedown, and I had my guys use brand new microfiber on my brand new black paint.
And since they were doing it in my garage I got to watch how the whole thing happens.
I didnt get any scratches and going on a year now, it still looks beautiful.

And I also "prepped" my Jeep before they touched it -(but hey, Im a Detailer, this is what I do) so the entire vehicle was really nice and clean - yet another incentive for them to be careful and do a really nice install.. :)

Good luck with your Ventureshield !

Dan F
 
Thanks guys! I appreciate it. So is Ventureshield the way to go or one of the others?

Actually I'll start a new thread for that question so I'll see more experiences.
 
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