I Try Restoring Plastics With A Heat Gun (So You Don't Have To).

Hey guys, I know this idea has been around for a while, but I have always preferred paint at my method of restoration. Today I decided to try out the heat gun method to bring some life back to my plastics. I try out some cowl cover plastic (same as door trim and pumpers) as well as trying out the what gun on the Xterra window trim. Hope you enjoy and let me know how it works out for you if you try it.
Here is a link to the heat gun I used: www.harborfreight.com/power-t...
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**This video is being performed by an experienced individual. Any attempt to repair automotive parts or its systems carries risk of personal injury. Always follow safe practices when working on vehicles such as using safety glasses, jack stands, not wearing loose clothing, etc. No guarantee or warranty is implied by these videos. Use the information in this video at your own risk. If you don't think you can perform the job then do not attempt it.
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Timestamps:
Intro: (0:00)
Titan Cowl: (1:00)
Xterra Window Seals: (4:33)
Outro: (7:00)
#howto #nissan #auto

[@aronmonta8173]

Thank you very much for the videos you put out about Nissan Xterra. I am a Toyota and BMW person and recently purchased a Nissan Xterra and your videos have saved me money and time. I’m still learning about my Xterra and your videos makes it so much easier. Thank you again very much!

[@Rythecarguy]

Well welcome! I'm glad you like the videos. You should also definitely consider joining the Xterra Subreddit over on Reddit if you have not yet. Great group of folks over there.

[@franciscocontreras4450]

This is actually a great idea for people who detail clean vehicles because they can actually restore and enhance some of their customer's vehicles at no extra charge but as a form of experimentation and also going that extra mile to get repeat work.

[@Rythecarguy]

👍🏻

[@callanbrown7979]

Yes bleaching = oxidisation. Watch out for warping. Trust me I've done a lot of this. Trick is don't let the while plastic part heat up. Intense quick heat melt the top. Get heat away. If not perfect,, let it cool down first... also make sure u rub down the plastic to remove as much of the white oxidated plastic as possible. Melamine sponge is good

[@lzh3131]

Thanks for taking it for the team!

[@Rythecarguy]

Any time!

[@dpalm88]

I used Duplicilor trim and bumper spray paint on the plastics on my Xterra and they look like new. It still looks great even after years of abuse from camping and the Florida sun.

[@Rythecarguy]

Right on. I used bed liner on my bumpers and rustoleum on my cowl and im very happy. I will definitely be using the heat gun for my windows when they need it again however.

[@dpalm88]

I hear you get about a year out of the heat gun trick. Still better than the plastic restoration compounds. In the weather we get down here anyway

[@Rythecarguy]

Truth. Are you by the ocean? I'm in Orlando so I don't have salt spray, just the sun

[@dpalm88]

@@Rythecarguy Panama City Beach area. I park right near the ocean every day for work.

[@dpalm88]

@@Rythecarguy I had the cowl from my parts truck to test different paints on. The Rust-Oleum flat black I tried completely covered/removed the plastic "texture" of it. Did you have the same experience?

[@Spragoo7]

I’ve used a product called “penetrol” - it’s a paint additive that actually has held up better than other restoration gels. A can runs under $10 and there’s enough in there to cover the X 3-4 times over. Application is super easy - I’ve read that it’s a detailing industry trick.

[@dailyrider2975]

I used heat gun and penetrol together on a old Cal trans Orange truck, works a treat. made it look almost new for a month, heat gun treatment kept it from going all the way back to faded.

[@Tonisuperfly]

@@dailyrider2975did you use the heatgun right after applying penetrol, or let it dry for a bit first?

[@tycox8704]

I painted my cowl. Used an adhesion promoter, paint for plastics, and a matte clear coat. Still looks new after four years.

[@genx6359]

Keep up the good work Batman..

[@135-j]

What did u use a spray can like Krylon

[@tycox8704]

@@135-j Yes. Off the shelf spray cans from home improvement center. Sorry, I don’t recall the brand.

[@mtbbikerbrady119]

Did it on my Xterra and it looked good for about 3 months and then it looked worse than before. Faded back to gray pretty fast. I also blistered my paint in a few spots. Spray on Plastic Dip has yielded much better results for the plastics.

[@Rythecarguy]

Agreed, paint is the way to go.

[@scbane]

You have to spray on a plastic uv protector

[@pkbauer7893]

Thanks again Ry for all the great content, was wondering if you ever considered doing an Xterra video covering the Big 3/alternator upgrade as I do not think a high quality video of that topic is readily available. Anyway, just a thought, take care.

[@Rythecarguy]

I like the idea. What do you mean by big 3?

[@pkbauer7893]

@@Rythecarguy Good morning Ry, the big three refers to re wiring the connections from the alternator to the positive battery terminal, the negative battery terminal to ground, and the engine block ground with lower gauge wire to decrease resistance and improve battery charging efficiency, usually done alongside an alternator replacement or upgrade. This can also be a good opportunity to mention the importance of checking all ground wires for wear as these can sometimes cause intermittent/confusing electrical problems. Mapping these ground wire points within the Xterra engine bay should be considered for long term maintenance but they can be hard to find or identify. If you google 'Big 3 Wiring Upgrade' you should find products, forum posts, and videos. Best of luck and thank you again.

[@HalJalikakik]

I have used a heat gun on plastic door cards and the rear seat plastic molding for my ‘74 Challenger restoration project to smooth minor scratches. It works really well but if you hold heat too long you will lose the molded texture. Practice (just as you did) on a scrap piece is a must. I would not use this method to refresh color however as I found it lacked uniformity. I went with SEM paint specifically designed for these plastics. If you go that route you need to use the prep spray as well which promotes adhesion. I actually took green interior plastic and changed to black with the SEM product and it looks great. My biggest caution with a heat gun is the possibility of permanently irreversible damage from holding it too long on one area. Lastly, be super careful with a heat gun near painted surfaces.

[@williamwilliams925]

I would suggest trying Eastwood's Plastic Restorer. Used I the cowl of my 08 Xterra about 4 years ago and the cowl still looks new. Have been tempered to try on bumpers but want test piece because it may work but the plastics are grey. Also be careful using the heat gun near paint. Heat guns are used the soften and remove paint. You could damage the clear coat or bubble your paint. Not good. Great site. Bill

[@richbanister]

Thanks for exploring the options. I am going to try bed liner on my bumpers. Does it create a texture? Your grill disassembly and painting video was quite helpful. The afternoon sun had stripped paint off the plastic and it is now shiny silver once again.

[@richbanister]

Oh, did you ever find the 10mm?

[@Rythecarguy]

Yea, the bed liner is gritty like sandpaper. I really like it. Makes it feel rugged. Glad my video helped. Yea, the plastics on the Xterra are really not that great. also, YES! I found the 10mm. I also bought some spares. :D

[@marb801]

Do you have any vidoes on restoring the trunk panels in the cargo area of the Xterra? Mine are scuffed to hell and I'm not sure if I should bed line, paint it, heat gun it, or buy new ones.

[@francisco0400]

Good job Bro

[@Rythecarguy]

Thanks!

[@richardgeorge8294]

I wonder how this will hold up compared to other methods, like a ceramic coating. Maybe you could do/apply both and see how they hold up down the road.

[@EForchetto]

Apparently the heat gun treatment just sweats out oils from plastics and makes them look good for a while. As soon as they wash off you’re left with trim that’s worse than before.

[@scottr1575]

Thanks!

[@Rythecarguy]

🐐

[@tongkatali6904]

I tried the heat gun, it took hours and only lasted a couple months. This time I used Forever Black, looks really black, like new, and goes on in about 1/4 the time, been one month and so far so good

[@fioribeats]

Ceratrim was great for mine if you’re just keeping the original color and refinishing

[@Rythecarguy]

Good tip!

[@TitanTown]

I've done this on our escape before and it worked for a while but turned out worse than before after a couple of months. Also warped some of the plastic.

[@Rythecarguy]

Mine didn't warp but its already turning gray. Not worth the trouble TBH.

[@carltongossett2282]

Ray can you help me with Gas tank strips on my nessan extra ? They are so Rusted for I have Rounded the one going to the Frame . How would you go about getting it out thanks Carl

[@St.Maurice]

Great video! Have to try this!!! Question, ballpark can I ask what your rent is on your garage?

[@Rythecarguy]

I own this garage and my "company" pays me rent but that won't mean anything to you. The garage I used to rent was about 1500sqft and that was $1200 a month.

[@St.Maurice]

@@Rythecarguy Thanks!!! The Mrs. wants me to get my Xterra out of the garage and I want a place with enough room work on it. Carry on sir.

[@Rythecarguy]

🤘🏻👍🏻

[@brunnie]

I wonder if a fan nozzle might work better rather than just the straight pipe that the heat gun has.

[@Rythecarguy]

MAybe!

[@callanbrown7979]

It will work on those handles,,, combination of light sanding with 3000 or higher, and quick heat to reseal surface,

[@DesertFernweh]

I would be curious if heating then applying 303 would help preserve the result.

[@Rythecarguy]

Interesting thought.

[@hillforce31]

You funny bro!!! “So that’s a little like witchcraft”😂

[@Rythecarguy]

Thanks dude 😆

[@qeva_]

Nice

[@Rythecarguy]

🤘🏻

[@andrewedwards9721]

no worries about the glass

[@Rythecarguy]

👍🏻

[@ELEVOPR]

I saw a video where someone applied clean new Motor oil to the plastic after heating it up, this way the oils would Penetrate into the plastic while it was hot and last forever. Apparently that is what is happening when you hear up the plastic, the oils are coming back up to the surface?

[@mrv6159]

Gyeon Trim. Buy it, protect your trim and it’ll stay good. No risk of damage.

[@Rythecarguy]

I'll try it! Thanks.

[@Mike.D.843]

I have used the heat gun method on my Xterra for a while now. It does work very well, at least the first few times. After a few times of doing this, it does seem to end up making the fading worse, which will probably just lead to needing to paint the plastics. My front bumper plastic, rear bumper center top plastic, and the rear side bumper plastic step inserts are very faded out now and will probably need to be painted. Maybe using the heat gun, and then finding some sort of UV protectant to treat the plastic with afterwards might give better long term results.

[@Rythecarguy]

good thought!

[@PORRRIDGE_GUN]

You are drawing up the oil in the plastic and it is vapourising off. Eventually you run out of oil and this makes the plastic brittle. I wouldn't do this more than twice, but if removal is easy enough, and most scuttle plastics are, just pop it off and spray with Plastikote

[@jamesforler6897]

Could you restore once using the heat gun the. Use a nice ceramic uv inhibitor? Edit for spelling.

[@scbane]

You need a flat tip for your heat gun, and use a 50% overlap pattern like painting.

[@jamescpalmer]

If you have a place that has the sun XD I laughed out loud.

[@Rythecarguy]

Hahah I grew up in Michigan. The sun is never a guarantee up here. Especially in the winter. :D

[@NCrdwlf]

Let it fade like old jeans …. Let the haters judge your faded old girl that still runs like a top.

[@Rythecarguy]

I like this approach 😂

[@sector7676]

Got an Xterra with light scuff scratches on the front plastic bumper. You can feel the scratches with your fingernail but they're not very deep.. Wonder if I should wet sand it with 1200-2000 grit or heat gun.. or both..?

[@Rythecarguy]

I would avoid using a heat gun on a specific area of the bumper. You will find yourself having to heat on the rest of the bumper because of how it will change the color.

[@sector7676]

@@Rythecarguy ah, yeah that makes sense

[@sector7676]

@@Rythecarguy problem is I suspect wet sanding will change the color as well..

[@Rythecarguy]

@@sector7676 yes it will :( it will take off the first layer of oxidation

[@elgatoremendado1115]

Now you have a extra big power bill

[@Rythecarguy]

😆

[@anthonybeshires9255]

I noticed the plastic distorting on the first large piece like adding heat to stainless steel.....

[@Rythecarguy]

Yea, I did not like this process. I would much rather just paint.

[@hussyprojects1609]

Sooo lucky those windows didn’t shatter as they cooled down. I’ve seen a friend loose his whole back window trying the same technique.

[@Rythecarguy]

Really? That’s wild

[@hussyprojects1609]

Yeah, you have to be careful with heating the plastic if it close to glass. A easy fix is to put a wet rag on the glass and when the rag start to steam up just dip it back in a bucket of water. Just to be safe

[@Rythecarguy]

@@hussyprojects1609 great tip!

[@hussyprojects1609]

@@Rythecarguy your very welcome

[@phillipralph2504]

Try rub it with chilli will last forever. Tell me if it’s works?

[@Rythecarguy]

I'm good on that

[@iraklikogua2735]

👌👍

[@Rythecarguy]

👍🏻💪🏻

[@seangamboa3453]

LOl 75 cents. This video was pretty funny.

[@Rythecarguy]

:D

[@erichartmannadventures6456]

I did heat gun to my plastic and the haters on fb got me like 100 comments lol. Xterra crew ftl

[@Rythecarguy]

😂

[@whateyedoo]

Just use maguire s plastic restoration cream u won't regret it works perfect last super long

[@Rythecarguy]

👍🏻

[@esurles1]

I tried it, it just made it worse luckily I put some stuff on it to get it to look like it did before I heated it

[@Rythecarguy]

Agreed, I didn't like this process. So many better ways

[@darkrulier]

I do not recommend this to anyone. I did it on my Frontier and it looked good for about two weeks. After that it looked like shit, worse than before. Do not do this!

[@Rythecarguy]

Yea, l am not in love with the result.

[@jgregg7100]

Same

[@CaseyDLocker]

Seconded. Did mine a few years back and not only do they look more faded now than before you can also see the path that the heat gun took. Not recommended.

[@oliverkhoo]

I prefer the thumbnail flamethrower method

[@Rythecarguy]

Haha that would be awesome

[@JohnJohnson-jm8ku]

Cheap plastic renovator, that looks like shoe polish and is applied like a shoe polish, is the better solution. It will also wear off, but it's quick to apply again and perhaps over time it will start to permanently color the plastics a bit darker. I tried the heat gun and it only makes it worse than before.

[@Rythecarguy]

Agreed

[@Nathan-lt6bw]

i wouldn't do this, i've tried it and it warped the plastic.

[@Rythecarguy]

Right on.

[@Fedgery007]

Yeah I found out the heat gun method doesn’t last.

[@Rythecarguy]

Yea, not loving it. I'll stick to paint or just not touch it.

[@parker123ism]

I did the same and it just goes back to original ugly in a few months

[@jgregg7100]

Came to say the same. I did with a MAAP gas torch and looked amazing for about 4 months and then goes back...but only takes 30 min

[@Rythecarguy]

Thats unfortunate since I don’t really know how many times the plastic can handle this.

[@pooroldfred]

These are the only things a heat gun are good for Bacon Cheese on toast Sauages Eggs Searing steak Crispy chicken skin Etc....

[@tonykeiiz7807]

WD 40 works best without damage! Try it!

[@JH09SUMIT]

But its very temporary

[@jasgap]

Put it in the Oven

[@Rythecarguy]

🤘🏻

[@clivesilk3501]

try using a propane gas weed killer !! you'll get better coverage and not patchy

[@Rythecarguy]

Good idea!

[@tulikinikini4321]

High heat circular motions. This is a horrible way of showing this method it’s been done for years without any hassle till now lol

[@Rythecarguy]

If you watch the video you will see I did it in a variety of motions to see the results. They all sucked. Lol

[@ivnnrss387]

75 cents your lying ... I paid 12 dollars for it with coupon

[@Rythecarguy]

🤣