Although durable, black plastic-especially in trim (ornaments or decorations) and car bumpers-will usually fade and change color over time. Luckily, you can easily restore its natural shine. You can rub olive oil or use a heat gun on the faded area to make the plastic look like new. If all else fails, you can repaint the plastic so that it shines again.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Rubbing Oil on Fading Plastic
Step 1. Wash and dry the plastic surface
Olive oil absorbs well on clean surfaces. If the plastic object is still dirty, wash it with warm water and soap. Dry with a towel before you restore it so the olive oil can be absorbed well.
Step 2. Pour some olive oil on the cloth
This oil can restore the natural color of black plastic items, as well as restore discolored or faded areas. Pour a little olive oil on a washcloth or paper towel (a small amount will work for large areas), and you can add more later if needed.
Alternatively, you can also use baby oil or linseed oil
Step 3. Massage olive oil on the plastic
Rub the washcloth or tissue on the desired area back and forth. Continue scrubbing the area for a few minutes to allow the plastic to absorb the olive oil well.
Cover the surrounding objects with a towel or tarpaulin so they don't get exposed to the olive oil
Step 4. Rub the plastic object with a dry cloth
After rubbing the olive oil for a few minutes, use a washcloth to wipe the plastic in a circular motion. Apply firm pressure as you do this so that the olive oil lifts and the plastic shines.
If you don't have another cloth, use the part of the washcloth or tissue (used in the previous step) that is not exposed to oil
Step 5. Check the plastic object to see if the discolored part is gone
Once the olive oil has been cleaned, check the plastic object for any discoloration. If there are any parts of the plastic that are still faded and haven't been restored by the olive oil, repeat the process again with more oil and target the stubborn areas directly.
If the fading and discoloration is severe, you may need to repaint
Step 6. Try using a black plastic moisturizer as an alternative
Like olive oil, this moisturizer will restore car trim and bumpers by adding moisture to their surfaces. If you want to use a product specifically designed for cars, apply moisturizer to the black plastic in the same way you would apply olive oil.
- Car trim moisturizers can be found at auto parts stores. Read the instructions on the packaging carefully before you use the product on plastic objects.
- If you want to recover black plastic that isn't part of the car, you can still use a moisturizer on the item.
Method 2 of 3: Using a Heat Gun
Step 1. Use a heat gun for a temporary solution
A heat gun can remove the natural oils in the black plastic and restore its shine, but it doesn't last long. Eventually the plastic will fade after use, and after you've done this process a few times, the natural oils will run out and can't be removed by heat.
- How long the results of this method will last depends on how often the car is exposed to direct sunlight. The more often the car is used, the faster the color will fade.
- If you've used a heat gun before and it didn't work, try adding olive oil to the plastic surface to restore its shine.
- Heat guns can be purchased or rented online or at hardware stores.
Step 2. Use a tarp to cover the surrounding non-plastic items before you use the heat gun
This tool can bend or discolor the surface of objects that are not made of plastic. If the object you're working with is stuck to something, use a fireproof tarp to cover the area you don't want to heat.
This method is perfect for dealing with car trim and bumpers. Do not use this method on black plastic that is attached to a flammable material (such as a plastic toy)
Step 3. Clean and dry the plastic object
Using a heat gun on dirty plastic can burn stains and dirt. Wash the item with soap and water, and remove as much dirt as possible. Dry the plastic with a towel before you use the heat gun.
Step 4. Place the heat gun a few centimeters from the plastic surface
Turn on the heat gun and move it in small circles around the discolored area. Do not aim the heat gun in one place for a long time to get an even result and avoid burning the plastic.
Test the heat gun in a hidden area first to see if you like the color of the plastic (after handling this tool)
Step 5. Turn off the heat gun and check for new color on the plastic surface
When you move the heat gun around the plastic, the color of the plastic will be darker and stronger. If you have moved it all over the plastic surface, turn off the heat gun and inspect the plastic. If you like the new plastic color, this means that the restoration process is complete.
If the plastic still looks faded or discolored, apply olive oil or repaint it
Method 3 of 3: Repaint Black Plastic
Step 1. Wash plastic objects with soap and water
The paint will stick well to a smooth, non-dirty surface. Dip a washcloth in warm soapy water and remove any dirt and grime that has stuck to the plastic surface.
- To do a thorough cleaning or remove stubborn dirt, soak a plastic object in water.
- Use a cloth to dry the plastic item before you paint it.
Step 2. Scrub the plastic surface with a 220 grit sandpaper (roughness level)
Sanding is useful for giving texture so that the paint will stick more easily. Scrub the plastic surface with fine sandpaper using firm pressure. When finished, use a dry brush to remove the dust.
If you don't have a dry brush, you can use a paint brush instead
Step 3. Spray primer (primary paint) to help the paint stick
Spray the primer on the surface of the plastic object. Don't spray the primer on one area for too long to keep the coat even and thin. Wait for the primer to dry according to the time recommended on the product packaging. This can take about 30-60 minutes.
- Primers for plastic can be found online or at craft stores.
- Ideally you only need a thin coat of primer. A thick or piled primer can change the texture of things.
Step 4. Spray black paint on the plastic
Hold the nozzle about 30–45 cm from the surface of the object and gently move the can of paint over the object. Continue to spray paint in overlaps until the entire surface is covered with paint.
- Apply 3 to 4 coats to strengthen the paint color. Wait for the paint to dry before you apply a new coat.
- Each coat may take approximately 30 to 60 minutes to dry. Check the paint package for the exact time.
Step 5. Protect the new paint with a clear primer
When the last coat of paint has dried, spray a clear primer all over the plastic. This will help keep the paint from fading, discolouring, or peeling off over time.
The use of paint primer is very important if the plastic object is used outside the house because it will be exposed to various elements
Tips
- If you are working with a damaged plastic item, fix the item with glue, acetone, or solder first before attempting to restore the color.
- If you can't recover the color you want, take the black plastic item to the recycling bin.
