Faded hood

5116 Views 22 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Wilber256, Jul 29, 2018

Wilber256

Discussion Starter · Jul 26, 2018 (Edited)

Hello everyone, Hope all are doing good and have no issues with their machine.

I have a aesthetic problem that hopefully someone can shed some light on. My 99 Ranger 6x6 has a UV/UVB faded hood, It is very noticeable because the windshield protected part of it until I broke it. Pics will follow when i can get them to load off my phone.

I wonder, is there a product that can revitalize fiberglass than anyone knows about? I don't want to start throwing things at it that may make it worse.
Anyone have any suggestions? I can't afford a new hood even if they are still available. Any help is greatly appreciated. I know it's old but the old girl want look that bad if I can polish or buff out the lighter shade on the hood. Thanks guys, Y'all are a super bunch of guys always willing to help. It's unreal in this day and time. View attachment 121859

Finally got 1 pic to load, it is slow so be patient.

Green Automotive exterior Glass Floor Windshield

Green Automotive exterior Glass Floor Windshield

Why I did not just raise the hood for better pics....If more is needed let me know. Thanks guys

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1 - 20 of 23 Posts

fswan

· #2 · Jul 27, 2018

I haven't tried myself but I've heard of guys taking a heat gun or torch and carefully heating the faded plastics to bring back the shine. I would try it in an inconspicuous place before trying it on the hood!!

Reactions: 1

RJ

· #3 · Jul 27, 2018

Pledge furniture polish will brighten it up Wilbur. Try a little spot and see how it looks.

Wilber256

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 27, 2018

Thanks guys, That's two good ideas. The way I shake I best leave the heating to someone with a steadier body and hand. The pics I took were taken with my hand and phone propped up as steady as I could hold it and the pics are still a little blurry.

Rangerwhit

· #5 · Jul 27, 2018

Try some extra fine wet sandpaper and wax. Did you ever set your valve clearances? How'd it go on the ride today?

stainlessman

· #6 · Jul 27, 2018

I think one of the three part plastic polishes #1 polish is 60 grit, #2 polish is 120 grit and #3 polish step is 300 grit with wax. I forget the name.
I have some here somewhere.
Forde recommended it here like twenty years ago. So he'll remember the name.

RJ

· #7 · Jul 27, 2018

stainlessman said:
I think one of the three part plastic polishes #1 polish is 60 grit, #2 polish is 120 grit and #3 polish step is 300 grit with wax. I forget the name.
I have some here somewhere.
Forde recommended it here like twenty years ago. So he'll remember the name.

Plexus plastic polish?

Jungleman

· #8 · Jul 27, 2018

Reactions: 2

jobo2856

· #9 · Jul 27, 2018

Wilber256 said:
Thanks guys, That's two good ideas. The way I shake I best leave the heating to someone with a steadier body and hand. The pics I took were taken with my hand and phone propped up as steady as I could hold it and the pics are still a little blurry.

Wilber not to be rude but I think your unsteady hands is perfect for the job. You don't want to stay in one spot to long, :biggrin:.

Reactions: 3

Rangerwhit

· #10 · Jul 27, 2018

Now you have me wanting to torch mine!

Reactions: 1

CarlosSlim

· #11 · Jul 27, 2018

Tried sanding/polishs/compounds/waxes, temporary fix and fade would reappear. Removed hood and dash, heat gun brought great color and shine back to surface, like magic, permanent fix. ~solo mi dos centavos~

Marty

· #12 · Jul 27, 2018

Yessir. That's the fix for all UTV and ATV plastics.

Jungleman

· #13 · Jul 27, 2018

Rangerwhit said:
Now you have me wanting to torch mine!

Torch those 3 6X6's on Craigs List. Don't forget to throw some gas on them first though...........................

Reactions: 1

Wilber256

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jul 28, 2018

Hey guys, Some pretty good looking/sounding suggestions. That torch/heat process just amazes me, I would of though someone is nuts to try this. How do people decide they are gonna do things like this? I have often wondered about a chicken egg, what just a few guys hanging around and one speaks up and says, next thing out of that chicken butz im gonna eat it? I believe i'm gonna take a torch to my 4 wheeler. Is it more permanent? I can't really tell, does it bring back the gloss as well? What do you do about your stripes and decals? I would like to keep those but may not can have your cake and eat it too.

From what i have seen/read the wet sanding is a big labours job involving a lot of time and that was just on smaller pieces. The Ranger hood is huge.

Oh, reminds me,. I failed to mention there is bird stains on the hood also, if you look at the front end part you can see them. I may take another photo with the hood raised. The poop is long gone but it is etched/stained into the plastic. I suppose it is some type plastic I thought it was fiberglass but it's not. Wonder what it's made from? Knowing the content may could help to determine what may work best. Thanks for the suggestions, as usual you guys are really good at most any and everything. I believe all working together y'all could build a rocket to the moon.

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CarlosSlim

· #15 · Jul 28, 2018

Wilber256 said:
Hey guys, Some pretty good looking/sounding suggestions. That torch/heat process just amazes me, I would of though someone is nuts to try this. How do people decide they are gonna do things like this? I have often wondered about a chicken egg, what just a few guys hanging around and one speaks up and says, next thing out of that chicken butz im gonna eat it? I believe i'm gonna take a torch to my 4 wheeler. Is it more permanent? I can't really tell, does it bring back the gloss as well? What do you do about your stripes and decals? I would like to keep those but may not can have your cake and eat it too.

From what i have seen/read the wet sanding is a big labours job involving a lot of time and that was just on smaller pieces. The Ranger hood is huge.

Oh, reminds me,. I failed to mention there is bird stains on the hood also, if you look at the front end part you can see them. I may take another photo with the hood raised. The poop is long gone but it is etched/stained into the plastic. I suppose it is some type plastic I thought it was fiberglass but it's not. Wonder what it's made from? Knowing the content may could help to determine what may work best. Thanks for the suggestions, as usual you guys are really good at most any and everything. I believe all working together y'all could build a rocket to the moon.

Wilber, that stuff happens when you use a chicken as a hood ornament, no ways gettin around it! So your the guy I see riding around early morning trying to wake everyone up!! LoL

Reactions: 2

Wilber256

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jul 28, 2018

Here are a couple of pics of the stains from the bird poop. Thanks

Vehicle Windshield Automotive exterior Glass Wheel

View attachment 121877

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Wilber256

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jul 28, 2018

Yep, That's me. Don't complain or my GPS will poop on your paper before I throw it.....

Wilber256

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jul 28, 2018

Marty, You got anything to clean and restore this mess?

Rangerwhit

· #19 · Jul 28, 2018

I would try a wet sand and the heat. The plastic is the same color throughout, right? The stickers will probably have to go. One of my cars has been under pine trees and the paint has been etched by the sap. No fix for that that I know of. I put ice on the sap to harden and scrape it off and some compound as soon as I noticed it. A little late on some of them. Sorry, didn't mean to hijack, just throwing out my experiences with the pine tree sap/acid. No experience with chicken poop....

Reactions: 1

RJ

· #20 · Jul 28, 2018

Well just for the heck of it I took some 600 grit sandpaper to my 2016 for you Wilbur. Lower rocker on the black plastic though! :fat:Then hit it with a propane torch. The heat smoothed it right out and shined right up! Try a small spot on the hood....can't make it any worse. Don't be skeert.

Reactions: 1

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