[lumberjacknooj]

I just bought a set of bucket seats for my 70 chevelle, and the plastic seat backs are a little deteriorated. Y'know how plastic gets "dry" looking, and scratches away really easily? Well that's what's happening.

I want to know: what's the best ways to "restore" these plastic parts; Or, are they even worth the effort (will the plastic hold up after sanding, etc). There are no cracks (that I've seen), and they're not mis-shaped. Should I just sand down the dusty stuff that scratches off, and prime and paint? I guess that would eliminate the graining that they originally had, but that's not a big deal.

I could buy replacement seat backs and all, but that would be too easy. Any tips on plastic restoration will be appreciated

Thanks,
Nooj

[Pantaz]

Yes, you can sand and paint them. I had the same problem with a '68 GTO. (I wonder if it's specific to the plastic GM used for those parts?)

Krylon recently introduced a special paint just for plastic. It's called "Fusion". They claim it somehow bonds to the plastic. No special prep required, just clean and dry.

My seatbacks had a pretty thick layer of oxidation -- I could actually gouge it with a fingernail. I recommend scraping and sanding down to a good, smooth, solid surface.

Let me know how it comes out... I've got another set of seatbacks waiting.

-- Mike

[matt167]

Originally Posted by Pantaz

Yes, you can sand and paint them. I had the same problem with a '68 GTO. (I wonder if it's specific to the plastic GM used for those parts?)

Krylon recently introduced a special paint just for plastic. It's called "Fusion". They claim it somehow bonds to the plastic. No special prep required, just clean and dry.

My seatbacks had a pretty thick layer of oxidation -- I could actually gouge it with a fingernail. I recommend scraping and sanding down to a good, smooth, solid surface.

Let me know how it comes out... I've got another set of seatbacks waiting.

-- Mike

The fusion does bond because it has the bonding agent arleady in it, that " bonding at a molecular leval " is a bunch of BS, any paint will work with a good spray adhesion prometer.

[lumberjacknooj]

My dad used some of that fusion on an old plastic table and chair set he had. It was white, and he painted it green with that fusion. It looked brand new, and bonded really well- I was impressed.

These seats have that oxidation that's fingernail gouge-able, too. I'm just curious about how well they'll hold up after sanding all that crap off... and I wonder if it will change the shape or fit of the seat back enough to affect anything. I figure it'll take off about 1/16, or 3/32 off of the surface.

Pantaz, did you re-do those GTO seat backs? If you did- did you like how they turned out?

[Pantaz]

I didn't get a chance to do anything with the GTO seatbacks. The car was totaled by a DUI before I finished the interior. :-(

[Bob C]

I've restored several interiors and the plastic can be a real problem.
I sand all the loose stuff off and take them to Line-X,the bedliner spray co. They can spray a very thin layer on the parts and can spray at almost any texture, and it's paintable. I haven't had any kind of bonding failure.
Bob

[lumberjacknooj]

Wow, Bob! How clever. I bet that would be a lot better than just painting. You wouldn't have to worry about it scratching off, like paint over old plastic.

Were there any problems or negatives about using line-x on those parts? Do you recall how much they charged for what you had sprayed? I really appreciate that tip, Bob!

Nooj

ps- That's too bad about that GTO, Pantaz. What a bummer.

[Bob C]

[QUOTE=lumberjacknooj]Wow, Bob! How clever. I bet that would be a lot better than just painting. You wouldn't have to worry about it scratching off, like paint over old plastic.

Were there any problems or negatives about using line-x on those parts? Do you recall how much they charged for what you had sprayed? I really appreciate that tip, Bob!

It's very durable and it paints easy. It bonds very well to the plastic. The last one I had done was a 73 Mach-1 and I paid $100.00. There were several pcs. It's sprayed very thin so it doesn't add to the thickness. If your panels are black, you don't need to paint them.
Bob

[lumberjacknooj]

I'm going with a black interior, or mostly black. As far as the plastic seat pieces go- they'll be black, which works out with the whole line-x thing.
I'll have to contact a line-x (or similar product) dealer, and get some quotes. A new pair of seat backs would be around $70, and the seat bottom pieces for $55- but if it's cost effective to re-do the ones I already have, then I'd rather use mine.

Thanks for your help and advice, y'all.

Nooj