"Buffing out" powder coat - possible??

[skiddz]

I said I'd never do it, but my 4Runner's up for sale. Got it all detailed out and looking good, but there's one small problem. The brush guard. It was originally PC'd bright red to match the paint and now it's "pink" and appears oxidized. I've never used any abrasive polishes or anything on it, just carnauba car wax. Is it possible to restore the color with some type of polishing compound, or would I be better off unbolting it and have it re-coated??

Thx!

[mcaswell]

Many years ago, when I lived in England, we had a product called 'T Cut'

It was a type of 'Brasso' metal polish, but it was used on a lambswool bonnet polisher. It 'cut' a layer of paint off the old nitrocellulose laquers and really brought the color up on faded reds.

I suspect 'Brasso' would do the job.

Also try Collinite Metal wax. That cuts and polishes at the same time.

[customandsound]

skiddz .... try 3m finest on it .... it is like a 2500 grit polishing compound .. i use it on cars with bad paint and i get great results ... then finished it up with a coat of carnuba .. i would not use brasso .. that stuff states NOT for painted surfaces ...if you go with the way i said .. just keep the buffer moving . don't leave it in one spot to long or it will burn the paint ...

[non-stick]

skiddz..... try approaching it much as you would a clear coat paint situation. Most anything you use at this point with a polishing media in it will get embedded within the polymer and dig in deeper. Start out with 1200 grit wet-sandpaper ( wet-sand technique.... NOT dry,k?) and move up the line until you get desired results ( I'd assume 2000-3000 grit would get your gloss back). The goal here is to remove the oxidized layer and now "push" anything further into the coating. I know this sounds unconventional... but after you are done, take a soft cloth and a VERY small amount of vaseline and rub it all over the entire piece. This will help restore some gloss but protect it as a sacrificial layer for any debris in the future. Hope that helps.

[skiddz]

I'd thought about wet sanding, but wasn't sure how the powder would "react".. I've only got to get it good looking for a week or so. After that, it's the new owner's problem... ehehhe

Thanks for the info guys!