Auto Technical Reference Library Auto Refinishing: General Refinish Procedures

Topic Index

Collision Repair — Plastic Parts

Refinish Repaired Existing/Recycled Panel

Refinish New/Recycled Undamaged Panel

Blend into Undamaged Adjacent Panel

Interior Trim Panels

Texture and Exterior Repaired Panels

The preparation of plastics for adhesion is the most important factor when refinishing. The first solvent wash on a plastic is one of the most critical steps. Most coating manufacturers have specific cleaners for plastics. These cleaners are specially designed to remove any contaminants and mold release agents, without being too aggressive. For most plastics parts that are received raw with no primer, it is just as important to clean the inside of the panel as it is the outside prior to refinishing. There are two types of adhesion when refinishing; mechanical and chemical. With unprimed parts proper identification of plastics is important for obtaining chemical adhesion. Coating manufacturers may have several different types of adhesion promoters to use, depending on the plastics being refinished. Mechanical adhesion is achieved by sanding or scuffing both primed and unprimed parts.