Video: Restoring Faded & Sun-Bleached Plastics With a Heat Gun

[Rustymuscle]

As personal watercraft have rapidly ballooned in size over the decades, manufacturers have had to find new and creative ways to help keep weight down. To counter packing on some serious pounds, companies like Sea-Doo have invested millions into developing different forms of plastics to replace heavier fiberglass, all while retaining strength, rigidity and the watercraft’s overall aesthetic.

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[SL3STR]

Thanks for the article link. I was actually looking around on ways to fix my faded plastic on my ski....I'll have to try this out.

[mittens]

while this does work, has been for years on dirt bikes and quads as well. what is happening if your drawing the oil sto the surface, and it makes the plastics brital, and will fade worse as it goes. But it doe make them look better for the time being.

[Team Bilford]

while this does work, has been for years on dirt bikes and quads as well. what is happening if your drawing the oil sto the surface, and it makes the plastics brital, and will fade worse as it goes. But it doe make them look better for the time being.

Unfortunately, you do remove oils and the plastic does become more brittle. The other problem, is if you get it too hot, you will get wet spots like the three on the nose. Gotta keep the gun moving and not overheat the plastic.

[Rustymuscle]

Guys, you're NOT extracting oils from the plastic (at least in modern polypropylenes). You're realigning the chemical bond by activating dormant molecules through heat. This tutorial follows EXACTLY the ASE plastic repair process. And yes, as we detail in the video and article we do caution against burning the plastic. (You gotta read the story before commenting, man!)