Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Plastic refinishing

[Larry B (larrybard]

Charles,
 
Thank you!
 
On a related note, it's embarrassing to disclose how I do virtually no work on my cars, leaving almost everything instead either to the dealer (Algar), or my local, trusted mechanics (who are genuine enthusiasts and talented, but specialize in Porsches, Audis and other German cars, and politely and respectfully decline to do anything more sophisticated than an annual state inspection for my 512TR).  I have almost no automotive mechanical aptitude, and therefore am basically clueless as to how to remove any trim.  Is it ussually a matter of gentle prying until hidden clips are accessible?
 
Regrards,
Larry
 

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Subject: Plastic refinishing
Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:14:49 -0400
From: charles [at] carolina-sound.com
To: larrybard [at] hotmail.com
CC: ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com

Larry -

 

I did all the goo removal myself on my 355 (and it was extensive in that car). I collected a lot of info on FChat, here and other sources before trying. I ended up trying three or four things on inconspicuous spots before settling on my solution.

 

My own conclusion was that oven cleaner, acetone, toluene, Goo Gone, mineral spirits and the other things recommended were way harsher than necessary and could damage or discolor the plastic.

 

My parts came cleanest (without damaging the part) with just a simple application of rubbing alcohol by q-tip. I went through two boxes of q-tips and about 12 movies since I just removed all the parts at once and sat on my couch for a couple of days polishing, but they came quite clean and the plastic underneath was a pretty black, so for everything but the steering column I just left the underlying plastic.

 

For the steering column, I liked the texture, so I used the textured plastic paint from Lowe's that someone recommended. It came out beautifully.

 

I'm not putting down any of the refinishing services. Everyone raves about them, and I think they go the extra step of re-coating all the plastic with newer paint or some other finish, but I have been quite pleased with what I did.

 

I did replace the center console with carbon fiber because a) I really like CF and b) I didn't want to have to get the new overlay to put over the cleaned plastic.

 

But the cleanup is easy. Removing some of the parts from the car was the only tricky part, and as with everything Italian, the trick is go slow and don't use too much force. If you need force, you're doing something wrong.

 

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