Wing arch protection

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SteveG4TRA

SteveG4TRA

Active Member
Posts
241
I'm rather fed up with my original 23 year old wing arch protectors. They are grey and resemble the moons surface due no doubt to utra violet degradation.. Generally they let down what is an otherwise quite tidy D2. Firstly I thought about painting them. Has anyone done this? Does it last very long? If I shelled out and replaced them all how easy/difficult a job is it and what are the new reproduction ones like?
Any thoughts would be very welcome.
 
Anaconda said:
You can buy textured paint in a spray can to replicate plastic parts.
You could try heating them up gently with a heat gun.
Or a good quality plastic reviving gel.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the ideas Anaconda.

I like the idea of the textured paint, that would match the UV destruction of the wheel arch protectors in theory, so that's a possible.
The heating up may not bring enough oils to the surface to make much difference to them and if they did this solution has a limited period of looking good.
As for the good quality plastic reviving gel such as gtechniq c4 I am put off this for two reasons. One the cost, it's very expensive and two the covering capability on UV damaged surfaces. Additionally the D2 has vast amounts of black plastic too.
Maybe the easiest way is a couple of Tool Station £6 rattle cans of black satin paint and just bang it on. Probably wouldn't stay on long though?
 
Anaconda said:
You could try some satin black paint, key it up with a scotchbrite pad first.
Click to expand...

I use satin black for most things, ive also used hycote bed liner paint on arches & other bits n pieces....looks good but need to watch when washing & polishing as some rags stick to it then its time to get the masking tape out.
 
MJI said:
How are they attached as mine are tatty, heard some people raptor coat them
Click to expand...
Hi Tilly. The others are all wider for real off roaders 50mm and 75mm and for some reason much cheaper than the factory originals. What is your delay in fitting them?
 
MJI said:
How are they attached as mine are tatty, heard some people raptor coat them
Click to expand...
The ones I have appear to be stick on, with double sided tape. Like I say, they are still in the box, as I would still prefer the ****ty original ones to these smooth shiney gloss black bits of plastic.... I think they were supplied to be pained... I'll post up a picture of them tomorrow if I get time.

Not fitted, simply because my D2 is off road at the moment..(last 18 months). So many things to do to it.... roof lining, sunroofs off to reseal, new watts linkage, new wheel bearing, mot, bit of chassis welding, all for the MOT. Still havent sorted out why the TD5 engine is fine, then smokes after a few miles to the point theres no power...... plus Im building an extension to mine, and renovating my lads new house. Missus thinks Ive got far too many important projects to do before I deal with something of my own....

These are the ones I bought.... Ebay link
 
Last edited:
Ok, there might of been a bit of amnesia in the last few years. Found the box of arches, to find the surface is textured. I suppose I looked at the in isolation, and not next to the originals, that are highly pitted. There's no tape included in my kit, but they are stick on, like the originals. In hindsight, Im going to change my mind, and fitting them sometime later....
 

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I like the finish, but really not sure about just "sticking" them on. I would be happier if there was some form of mechanical retention device too. The existing ones on your car are just like mine, really well pitted and grey.
 
They are not durable, the scratches you see happened in the box, before opening. Apparently, you stick them on with a tube of adhesive, rather than tape.
 
Linseed oil, that's worthy of a try. I currently use a liquid shoe polish stick with foam applicator. That has an element of success in bringing them back to life, albeit limited.
 
I experimented with Boiled Linseed Oil on the plastic parts of the D2 this morning. Lovely smell, reminded me of the days before plastic window frames. Initial results look good but it depends upon longevity really.
 
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