Refinishing plastic hood and side panels
 

I bought a 1862. I would like to refinish the hood and side panels which are cream colored plastic or fiberglass. Any ideas what is the best approach to this? I thought about 0000 steel wool or maybe fine wet/dry sanding paper.

Or should I just get it clean and repaint it?

Thanks for any direction in this project. :bigthink:

I'd use a gray Scotchbrite pad, 3M #07448. Add some flexibilizer if you are spraying it.

EDIT-Sorry I thought you meant you were painting it. Still on first week w/o coffee...

Unless your intent is to paint, sanding with steel wool will add scratches. I polished mine with Mcguire's PlastiX. This product is available at automotive stores like Advance Auto, Pep Boys, etc. It is a polish intended for plastic, like headlights. If you have a dual action buffer, DA, use a soft foam polishing pad. Careful not to heat the plastic too much. when polishing.

I would try polishing first. On amazon you can find headlight polishing kits that work through a series of abrasive paste.

Then if you didnt like how it polished out, scuff it with 220 grit and paint.

What follows is FREE! That's what it is worth so proceed at your own risk.

I have very limited experience shining this plastic after it's been weathered.

I do know that sanding it will put scratches on it. Almost like the plastic balls up.

I believe I would try as suggested above, the headlight polishing method first.

One thing I did try briefly and only on a sample piece, I sprayed non-chlorinated brake cleaner and quickly wiped it off before it dried. If left a dull and weathered surface slick and shiny. But, it will also streak if you can't do it evenly.

I haven't tried to paint the stuff yet.

Proceed at your own risk.