Smooth black plastic mirrors

rockford33

rockford33

New member
Well, I just got some new, in-the-box side view mirrors for my toy car (old ones were pretty scuffed up somehow). Anyway, I want to clean and protect them before I install them on the car so I can get into all of the nooks and crannies easier. Any thoughts on what to use? I was thinking PB's PwC. They are smooth balck plastic.
 
On my Pontiac mini-van, Klasse AIO looked great, but only stayed that way for a few weeks (2-3). 4 Star UPP over the AIO lasted at least 6 weeks.
I really like AIO, but I'm not too sure about the durability when used as a stand alone product. For the little extra time and effort needed, it would be interesting what your findings were.

Charles
 
Amazing. I get at least 6 weeks or so on the plastic on the mini van. I just did the plastic trim on my sister Yukon yesterday and she cares for it like crap. I will see how it holds up there. I wish now that I had done one side with each product.
 
I think any good LSP would be better....they are new so they don't need polishing...any of the above mentioned products would be fine later down the road for maintenence:dunno
 
SpoiledMan said:
Amazing. I get at least 6 weeks or so on the plastic on the mini van. I just did the plastic trim on my sister Yukon yesterday and she cares for it like crap. I will see how it holds up there. I wish now that I had done one side with each product.
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Have her stop by and do one of the mirrors with whatever sealant you are using. Should be an excellent test.

Charles
 
AIO for my vote - I use it where I can. It is the most ridiculously versatile product I own. I cant think of a surface I cant use it on with great success. Cant get enough of the stuff, its awesome.
 
6cyl's_of_fury said:
AIO for my vote - I use it where I can. It is the most ridiculously versatile product I own. I cant think of a surface I cant use it on with great success. Cant get enough of the stuff, its awesome.
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Don't take my post wrong, I love AIO. It just didn't seem to last nearly as log as AIO/UPP on the mirrors.

Charles
 
The LSP's I have right now are PB's EX, Natty's, and some Meg's Gold Class Endurance (or something like that). I am thinking of trying some EX (that won't stain the mirrors white, right Steve?). Should I do any prep beforehand? Trim Restorer, rinse with car wash/water?
 
No it won't stain, just buff it in and out thoroughly but not hard...you will see a little black come off on your rag;)
 
Well, I tried EX today on my new mirrors. Not sure if I am happy with the results. They look kind of flat black, but one has a shiny spot on it (about 1/2" wide by 4" long). I don't think it was there before. The one mirror also seems kind of streaky, like the EX was absorbed unevenly. Any thoughts on what I might have done wrong, or what else I might try?
 
CharlesW said:
On my Pontiac mini-van, Klasse AIO looked great, but only stayed that way for a few weeks (2-3). 4 Star UPP over the AIO lasted at least 6 weeks.
I really like AIO, but I'm not too sure about the durability when used as a stand alone product. For the little extra time and effort needed, it would be interesting what your findings were.

Charles
Click to expand...

I agree, AIO was formulated as a one step product but I've never had much faith in how much resin protection is left behind, having said that AIO is my base prep product for all wax/sealants.

AIO + an LSP you can't go far wrong...
JonM
 
rockford33 said:
Well, I tried EX today on my new mirrors. Not sure if I am happy with the results. They look kind of flat black, but one has a shiny spot on it (about 1/2" wide by 4" long). I don't think it was there before. The one mirror also seems kind of streaky, like the EX was absorbed unevenly. Any thoughts on what I might have done wrong, or what else I might try?
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try using a QD to even out the shine...on smooth plastic it really can't be absorbed also try cotton if you used mf before and just buff them...I used S&G on mine today as well as on the black smooth plastic on my Tahoe and it came out real shiny and slick.
 
rockford33 said:
Well, I tried EX today on my new mirrors. Not sure if I am happy with the results. They look kind of flat black, but one has a shiny spot on it (about 1/2" wide by 4" long). I don't think it was there before. The one mirror also seems kind of streaky, like the EX was absorbed unevenly. Any thoughts on what I might have done wrong, or what else I might try?
Click to expand...
Since your results are different than many of us, maybe we need to take anothe look at what you are working with.
1. Are these OEM mirrors?

2. What make of vehicle?

3. Is the finish of the smooth plastic glossy or suppose to be glossy?

My experience was with OEM mirrors on a Pontiac mni-van. Very smooth and glossy when they are cleaned up.
If you are starting with a flat black finish, the products I used, AIO and UPP, probably aren't the right thing for your application. I would skip the UPP.
The AIO should have worked based on how it looks on my flat plastic trim around the windows.
It's very possible that a plastic treatment product would be better. I happen to use 303, but there's lots of good ones available.

Charles
 
CharlesW said:
Since your results are different than many of us, maybe we need to take anothe look at what you are working with.
1. Are these OEM mirrors?

2. What make of vehicle?

3. Is the finish of the smooth plastic glossy or suppose to be glossy?

Charles
Click to expand...

1. Yes, they are OEM mirrors.
2. 1991 Dodge Spirit R/T
3. The finish is more like a semi-gloss. Not real glossy like a painted finish, but glossier than flat black trim. I am going to do as Poorboy suggested and use cotton towels and a QD. I also have some 303 around. I think I will experiment some with one mirror to see what works best before doing the other. Thanks for the tips guys!!
 
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