cleaned polydome
- Thread starter kappa7krazy
- Start date
You have 3 now???
dogwan
Dogwan
You have 3 now???
Nah, the one on the left (her right) was a Foster. We just got her (Sophie) placed in her new home this week.
Sad story. She's 3 years old and had lived her entire life in a crate as a breeder in a puppy mill. They estimate she had at least 6 litters before they dumped her. When we got her she didn't even know how to drink water from a bowl. Took a lot of work to get her adoptable, and she still has a long way to go. But, luckily her new parents are committed to giving her the life she deserves.
Poor thing!!! Yeah our Daisy has a similar story. Not that bad but we could tell she's been a crate dog at the breeder because she is impossible to get 100% potty trained unfortunately. But we love her anyway
Back on topic: looks like this cleaning method actually lasts. The hairdryer thing started turning again as early as the next morning. Not with the Meguiar. They look stunning still.
goodolpg
Just an old fart trying to help.
That's disappointing about the hair dryer "cure" failing so quickly.
Does the Meguiars treatment turn yellow or white domes clear again?
Or maybe do the hair dryer treatment to make discolored domes clear and then treat with Meguiars? Like as soon as the domes return to room temp after using a hair dryer on them?
Would be nice to have a long term cure for a long term problem.
Does the Meguiars treatment turn yellow or white domes clear again?
Or maybe do the hair dryer treatment to make discolored domes clear and then treat with Meguiars? Like as soon as the domes return to room temp after using a hair dryer on them?
Would be nice to have a long term cure for a long term problem.
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Yeah after doing the hair dryer thing they were less nice just the next morning already. I think they'd be going back to all yellow in a matter of weeks.
Update: I'm sad to report that even the Meguiar route doesn't seem to last long for me. This is 4 days in. A lot more dull than when I had just finished.
Am I going to need to do this several times or is there just no way to make this last longer?
I do have a kit with brand new domes on the way so if this method isn't going to last I'll just replace them.
Thoughts?
EDIT: quick re-application on the outside only made most of the transparency come back. I'll keep doing this for a couple of times to see if it eventually stays nice for more than just a few days. Not sure if this stuff actually penetrates and helps the material or merely stays on it as a protective layer?
Am I going to need to do this several times or is there just no way to make this last longer?
I do have a kit with brand new domes on the way so if this method isn't going to last I'll just replace them.
Thoughts?
EDIT: quick re-application on the outside only made most of the transparency come back. I'll keep doing this for a couple of times to see if it eventually stays nice for more than just a few days. Not sure if this stuff actually penetrates and helps the material or merely stays on it as a protective layer?
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I have to ask the question, is the yellowing due to oxidation. I wonder if it is similar to car headlight lens turning yellow over time. I've only come across one "restoration" kit that seems to work long turn and they are using a special chemically impregnated pad which softens the outer surface and removes the oxidation from the plastic.. I suspect the same thing may be going on here.
It makes sense but... This fast? Literally 1 day between my last two photos and there's visible degradation.
Using Meguiar Mirror Glaze #40 like many others recommended. I do have the 303 stuff as well but I was assuming that only protects and doesn't clean. Am I wrong?
Yes, 303 is just a protectant. However, when I've applied it to older, yellowed domes it does clear them up a bit. Especially if I apply it to both sides.
Maybe someone with a chemistry background can chime in and answer this question. Can a cleaner designed to clean vinyl and rubber also clean what ever poly-something material is used to make the poly-dome drivers?
Garretts91
Member
As others have suggested, I got my Kappa 7.1 polydomes clear with a hairdryer then let them soak in Mothers VLR.
I then cleaned and coated them with a thin layer of silicone oil to hopefully protect them from further degradation.
Quick thought, has anyone considered trying a ceramic coating? There are now ceramic coating kits that claim to permanently restore plastic trim on vehicles. Some vehicle plastics are made of polypropylene.
I then cleaned and coated them with a thin layer of silicone oil to hopefully protect them from further degradation.
Quick thought, has anyone considered trying a ceramic coating? There are now ceramic coating kits that claim to permanently restore plastic trim on vehicles. Some vehicle plastics are made of polypropylene.
Interesting idea. Worth a try I guess. Meanwhile I have found that neither the hair dryer nor the vinyl cleaner approach have a lasting effect.
Here's mine now.
Note that I have brand new replacement domes so I'm leaving it alone now until I find the courage to actually do the replacement "surgery".
Garretts91
Member
Remind me, who is the best source for replacement domes? I may as well buy a few.
I own a shop which applies high performance coatings primarily for automotive applications and I can't recommend the use of any of the clear coats available on the polydomes. This includes the ones that claim to restore trim and headlights. I've tried many of them personally on my own vehicles and unless you are applying the coating to a brand new part the results are temporary at best. Also, keep in mind, those coatings are meant to be used on parts that in general experience little to no flex.
You can contact @engelder2 . He is providing raw domes as a DIY option. I am offering a full service option using the same domes for those who may not want to tackle a somewhat tricky task themselves.
Garretts91
Member
Thanks for explaining that. I'll just stick to applying silicone oil every so often. From what i understand Silicone is a great barrier and does well protecting from oxidation and UV.
Down the line when I inevitably need replacements, it's good to know you guys are around offering solutions!
