Window and door trim repair.
Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2020 10:50 pm
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.
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.