It is the UV rays from the Sun that breaks down the finish. The heat is rebonding it.

 

Well it works, but not so much on the F150. I was expecting more black, but the plastics are grey, so there wasn't much of a change. I tried it on a 2001 Volvo S40 however, and the difference is night and day. The plastics went from a washed out grey/near white to black immediately. I'll throw some before and after shots up later.

 

I agree on the gray panels. I tried it on a friend's Jeep because I had the heat gun out already, and it did a whole lot of nothing.

 

So is the plastic suppose to be grey or black on your truck? Be sure to post pics! I did this to my wiper cowl on the truck and it did perfect, nice and black it was a greyish before i did it. All my other plastics are good so cant try it on anything else

 

Good find!

 

I dont think its working how we want because they were never black. At least on my truck my bed rail and rear window trim was always grey colored. Im sure its faded some but doing this to them wont do much but change it to a little darker shade of grey. Same with the front bumper on the 2000-03 f150s. Thats the color of the plastic maybe faded a tiny bit.

 

If it changes it a even a little bit to a darker grey it is still worth it, shows how much the plastic was faded. look at the picture i posted on the 1st page and theres not a whole lot of difference but it does look better imo.

 

That's an old trick that the jeep guys have been using for a long time. I used to do it to the fender flares when I had a Wrangler. It works, but they will re-fade quicker and subsequent treatments aren't as impressive as the first go-round.

 

I never thought of it for an automotive use, but I've heard of dirt bike and ATV owners doing this for years on their plastic. Some plastic, blue Yamaha plastic in particular, will develope a white crease when it's bent or folded. Off roaders have been doing this for years.

 

interesting find, i may try this on my fiancee's bumper on her blazer which has faded to pink through the years....

can't find a picture of it, but ill take some before and after and see how it works....

 

I wouldn't try this on painted plastic or urethane. The "pink" comment made me think your fiancee's bumper may be urethane painted red. This trick is for solid color molded plastic, not painted body parts.

 

This

 

I would do this but I think I want the black finish. What would you all suggest for black paint when I remove my bed rails and paint them. I also would need a sealer so if you guys have a suggestion for that as well, it would be greatly appreaciated.

 

Krylon Fusion Satin black works great. Not sure about the the sealer though

 

Yea, I was told today at work about the fusion, sounds like I don't even need a sealer, so I think I'll paint em today at work and see how she goes.