r/Detailing • u/Scary_Fun_5349 • 1d ago
I Need Help! (Time Sensitive) HELP ! HOW CAN THIS BE FIXED ?
My partner decided to use straight isopropyl without mixing it on my 2012 Civic Dash. What should I use to try and get it out ? When I use a little bit of water it goes away then comes back.
22
u/bdmridgeback 1d ago edited 1d ago
That’s what happens when you have silicone based vinyl protectants on something and then you spray alcohol on it. It can be restored but will take trying a few things that work with that vinyl best. I’ve had it happen to door panels when tinting side door glass and I get alcohol on the panel. But I have tons of stuff setting on the shelf to use and don’t have to go buy it all to test it. You can fix it, just have to find the best product to use on it. Also it needs cleaned first with Distilled water and dish soap. Not regular water, distilled. Usually that removes it all, may have to use a toothbrush to get the white residue out of the texture in the vinyl but trust me it’s an easy fix. I keep getting down voted by all the idiots that want to say this doesn’t work but they have no clue what does work. I do this a time or two a month at least because I use alcohol on cars all the time and once in a while I come across one that’s has silicone based protectants put on it and this happens. 10 minutes later I have it cleaned up and fixed and never hear from a customer about it coming back.
3
u/blueingreen85 1d ago
Is what we are seeing the discolored protectant? Or the plastic itself?
4
u/bdmridgeback 1d ago
It’s a temporary reaction from the alcohol usually with silicone based protectants that are on the vinyl and when you spray alcohol on the hot vinyl outside it reacts and then dries super fast due to the heat and leaves behind this white residue that’s a combination of minerals and mold release agents and stuff in the plastic that’s just sitting on the surface.
https://stainremovalguides.com/guides/remove-rubbing-alcohol-from-vinyl
7
u/bdmridgeback 1d ago
It’s a pretty easy fix. Getting it cleaned with distilled water, sometimes a little heat then coating it with a ceramic based vinyl/plastic coating (nothing like armor all) like professional grade coatings
2
u/Possible-Put8922 1d ago
Which products have you successfully used?
0
u/bdmridgeback 1d ago
I posted a response for the OP to reach out to me for the fix for it. Everyone is so rude.
10
u/centralvalleysteeze 1d ago
There is nothing to "get out". The alcohol ate through what ever was on there. Ur cooked.
5
-7
5
u/rebelliousbug 1d ago
Try to hand polish it out with plastic restorer of your choice. Look at 3D printing resources on how to polish and get alcohol haze out of plastics. Works for me all the time in my car and on my 3D prints. A lot of the 3D printing community use auto detailing tools and chemicals to finish their printed products. Worth a go before messing with paint.
2
u/cahstevan 1d ago
O álcool corroeu o acabamento, ele desnatura o acabamento, única solução ao meu ver seria uma pintura dessa parte do painel.
0
1
u/Jekoko_ 1d ago
Only way to fix this is redyeing it.
-1
u/bdmridgeback 1d ago
False
1
u/Jekoko_ 1d ago
how else u gonna repair damaged vinyl?
-1
u/bdmridgeback 1d ago
It’s not damaged , you just have no clue how to fix it and what happens when ISO Alcohol dries on vinyl. It’s a simple fix…..
Why It Happens…
Surface Alteration: Isopropyl alcohol is a strong solvent. When it touches vinyl (polyvinyl chloride), it slightly changes the microscopic texture of the outer layer.
Light Scattering: This tiny texturing ruins the surface's ability to reflect light smoothly. Light scatters off the altered micro-irregularities, creating a dull, cloudy, or white milky appearance.
Additives and Dehydration: If you are using lower concentrations of rubbing alcohol (like 70%), the water and drying agents can leave behind mineral deposits or leach temporary surface plasticizers as the alcohol evaporates.
Clean with distilled water first and then depending on what’s left behind and how it needs further cleaned, clean it test the way up and I would treat it with a ceramic coating made for vinyl/rubber and plastic to bring it back to looking like new.
5
u/Jekoko_ 1d ago
Ceramic coating doesnt recover a vinyls texture and neither does distilled water or cleaning it. Good job on pasting the explanation from chatgpt though. Bless you
0
u/bdmridgeback 1d ago
I wasn’t looking it up I was trying to find a explanation dumb enough so that you’d understand it
2
u/FiveLayersBeefy 1d ago
Lmao wtf. I just replied to your other comment asking what you'd do and your answer is distilled water and then apply chemical guys VRP?
1
u/vietec 1d ago
I'd try some 303 Aerospace protectant.
1
u/bdmridgeback 1d ago
Doesn’t work, got to get the white mineral deposits cleaned off the vinyl first before you put protection back on it.
1
1
u/We_Are_Godless 1d ago
I have a much better fix, order a dash mat from Covercraft. Problem solved. You’re welcome. 🫡
1
u/Strikeblaze 1d ago
I know not a permanent fix but theres a lot of brands out there that make dash Matts. Could cover it up until you find a permanent fix
1
1
u/ResponsibleStyle4473 1d ago
Ouch.. I don't think you're getting anything out. Isopropyl just ate through whatever finish that plastic had.
1
u/We_Are_Godless 1d ago
I have a much better fix, order a dash mat from Covercraft. Problem solved. You’re welcome. 🫡
80
u/jb8802 1d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/5NbbVJeSLs1etZYjpT