I'm starting to see a bit of degradation of my trim. Its still very good in comparison with many, but its starting to lose its shiny top surface. So I've been looking into what can be done and this is what I think so far (though I am open to criticism and different ideas.
I think the material is likely to be HDPE or High Density Polyethelene, as this has good UV characteristics and I cant find better, It is almost certain to be further modified by a UV inhibitor at the injection stage and seems likely to have further UV inhibitor on the surface. It works in the same way as sunscreen, and it is this surface film that I think is breaking down. Pitting of the face must surly follow.
So far my only pitting is on the edges but I want to fix that and not let it get worse. There is a company called Wayside Adhesives who make plastic repair kits with a two part epoxy type resin, so I'm thinking this might be a good filler/edge restorer and general scratch filler. Trouble is they give zero info on whats in the kit or how to use it, but I am going to call them tomorow. I think it takes paint OK.
Then for the general surfaces, I found a video that suggests you get rid of the UV inhibitor by rubbing it down with SCotchbrite to get rid of the inhibitor layer and provide a key for the paint. Then a clean with alcohol, then a primer, then two light coats of paint then a top coat of Clearcote.
So my question for discussion purposes is "has anyone tried this or something similar and if so how did you get on and has it been durable. I am going to try the above on my donor which is a bit tatty and see how I get on.
Comments please.
Bob.
Window and door trim repair.
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Re: Window and door trim repair.
Bob,
I don't believe that we are as inventive as yourself, it's not something I have heard anyone talk about before, but it sounds like a feasible idea
I don't believe that we are as inventive as yourself, it's not something I have heard anyone talk about before, but it sounds like a feasible idea
Admin and Owner of this fine club 
Location : South Norfolk
Location : South Norfolk
Re: Window and door trim repair.
Really points up just how essential it is to 'garage-up' when off road.
100,000miles ,ave speed 33.333mph = 3000hrs of sunlight.
Or , 8years outside, at 12hrs/day x 365 = 35,000hrs approx exposure.
There's our problem Bob.
100,000miles ,ave speed 33.333mph = 3000hrs of sunlight.
Or , 8years outside, at 12hrs/day x 365 = 35,000hrs approx exposure.
There's our problem Bob.
Re: Window and door trim repair.
My thinking is that it is the one area of the car that we have no control over and which ultimately sets the benchmark for any refurbishment we undertake is the window and door trim. The rest can be brilliant but if those seals are dull and pitted it detracts totally from any other efforts. At its worst it says "old banger" and nothing brought that home to me more than the bog standard 16v white Probe, (lowest spec possible) that went under the hammer recently for £7000. Why... well mileage aside, it looked great and like brand new. I think if we could find a solution, it would help everyone going forward.
On that subject Wayside adhesives were no help, however, I have found 3M Scotch-weld DP88005 which looks a better product. It is exactly suited to polyethylene and all the other "lene's" from what I can make out from the spec list and is a two part epoxy that molecularly bonds to the parent material (without any particular preping according to the litrature). If I can find it in black (Cant find it in black outside the states as yet) I will give that a try.
Then there is Isopon bumper repair filler, but I am not so sure about that as bumpers are always under paint, thus not so exposed to UV. Consequently the material could be much more run of the mill like ABS or HIPS.
I have another avenue yet to be explored which is BP Motors in Cheltenham. Its a body shop that specialises in restoration and high end body work and I have a lot of time for the guy that runs it. A spade is a spade and you cant fool him over anything, car related. The FM is off there shortly to have its skirts and sunroof sorted, so I will be picking Lee's brains.
Needless to say, Johns comments are bang on. Prevention is better than cure and an investment in a half cover all year round would seem to be a wise investment.
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