Author Topic: Warped plastic trim and hubcaps...  (Read 1411 times)

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Me_and_BIScuit

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Warped plastic trim and hubcaps...
« on: February 27, 2020, 06:18:55 PM »
The plastic trim and two of the hubcaps are slightly warped, just enough for a kind of shabby look. How did you deal with this problem, if at all? Or will I have to buy replacements?

d0mokun

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Re: Warped plastic trim and hubcaps...
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2020, 06:38:40 PM »
The plastic hubcaps are made of quite brittle plastic in my experience, so you may not have any luck other than with replacing them. However, try clamping them to the wheels with some plastic cable ties. With enough pressure over a few days/ weeks that might bring them back into shape.

Interior wise I don't really have any tips, though I have found in the past that renewing the plastic tabards/ clips can do wonders for older, warped pieces.

Dan.
1988 Fiat 126 bis - 1989 Austin Mini - 1978 Trabant P601

Me_and_BIScuit

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Re: Warped plastic trim and hubcaps...
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2020, 03:44:19 PM »
Ok, I'm going to try that then. With trim I actually meant the plastic strips.. bumpers.. whatever you call them on the sides of the car.

d0mokun

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Re: Warped plastic trim and hubcaps...
« Reply #3 on: February 29, 2020, 10:27:10 AM »
Aha, those side 'bits' (trim? blades? black plastic thingies (tm)? ) are made to be somewhat durable owing to the mounting positions on the outside of the car. Perhaps try removing them and clamping them into a few vices. Other than that I can't really think of any method other than strongly bonding them to the car where they are bending, but that will present its own issues down the line..

Good luck and keep us updated on how you get on!
1988 Fiat 126 bis - 1989 Austin Mini - 1978 Trabant P601

Me_and_BIScuit

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Re: Warped plastic trim and hubcaps...
« Reply #4 on: February 29, 2020, 08:09:16 PM »
Yes, those thingamaboppers lol, how do I get these off? Well, I'm not too much worried about it now since I I'm (trying) to remove the engine at a glacial pace because of no skills at all, but it's good to learn something new.

d0mokun

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Re: Warped plastic trim and hubcaps...
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2020, 11:31:08 AM »
According to the BIS-bible, they are "rubbing strips". Ooh, Matron!

Seems relatively easy to get them off. A screw from the cabin side of the door and a few plastic pegs. Though, depending on how tidy and hardy your car is, beware the plastic pegs. I've had similar attachments snap clean off on even 4 year old cars, so I'd expect them to be somewhat brittle on a classic.

Dan.
1988 Fiat 126 bis - 1989 Austin Mini - 1978 Trabant P601

Minijohn

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Re: Warped plastic trim and hubcaps...
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2020, 07:32:22 PM »
You could try warming them up with a hot-air gun, then holding them in the correct shape while they cool down.

shielsy

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Re: Warped plastic trim and hubcaps...
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2020, 09:44:58 PM »
boiling water poured over and held in place till they cool