Chemical Etching Mabett Fender Flares

[gwrace14651]

Greetings all
I just completed the install of our baseplate on our 24 Ford Maverick. During the process I had to remove and peel back the front half of our Mabett fender flares. I used a chemical by 3m for removing the adhesive on the double sided tape. Some of the chemical got on the fender flares and appears to have etched the plastic. I can see every place it hit the plastic. It's just a visual stain with no actual plastic damage. I've tried various chemicals to remove in addition to plastic polishes and cleaners. Would you all have any tricks to fixing this?

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[Dmat]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here. Tried a Magic Eraser yet? Dont know how or why but those things seem to work on the most random stuff.

Usually though plastic isnt very porous so a color change may actual be the plastic being physically changed. Like some chemicals can melt plastic so the plastic is the same but the finish is different and there isnt much you can do about it.

 

[Carlitos_92]

Seriously not trolling here, but if it truly isn't damaged - what if you just wipe down the whole thing with the 3M solvent so it all looks the same? Without a pic, I can't tell if that would make them "ugly" or not.

If you have already tried the usual "back to black" plastic cleaners, I don't know what else there would be. Note that any of those petroleum-based protectants would be temporary and require re-application anyway...

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Pictures help.

 

[AzureBlueBill]

I think you'll need to paint them.

 

[gwrace14651]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here. Tried a Magic Eraser yet? Dont know how or why but those things seem to work on the most random stuff.

Usually though plastic isnt very porous so a color change may actual be the plastic being physically changed. Like some chemicals can melt plastic so the plastic is the same but the finish is different and there isnt much you can do about it.

I have not tried a magic eraser yet but will give that a try. Thank you

 

[gwrace14651]

I went back to chemistry class and ended up with a mixture of vinegar, citrix acid and baking soda. Applied several coats with an old toothbrush and let it sit for several minutes in between coatings. It seems to be working and the etching is getting fainter and fainter. A few more coats tonight and I hope it's gone. I really have to look close now to even see it.

 

[Bwicka]

Ceramic coating on black plastic , gives it a semi permanent fix for greyed or discolored cheap plastic around wheel wells or windows.

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