What would one use to thoroughly clean a new plastic front grille prior to painting?

Thanks!

Bob

First why do you want or need to paint it? :confused:
Second what type of plastic is it? :confused:
Third some plastics can't be painted? :confused:
Just some info before I gave my .02 if you know what type of plastic some prep agents acetone will take the shine off for paint. Other times use a propane torch and sweep the surface to give you a paintable surface. Try a small spot with a dab of paint FIRST if it melts the plastic your SOL. :(

I want to paint it because it's supposed to be painted to match the vehicle color.

I dont know what kind of plastic it is, but I'm reasonably sure that there must be a non-destructive method of removing any oil residue or maufacturing contaminants that may be present.....I dont think I care to hit it with a torch.

I assume you're talking about the bottom of the grill that goes in behind the bumper. Scuff it up with a 300 or 400 paper, use a good wax/tar remover, tape it off, tack cloth it and shoot it with anything you're painting the car with. Mine is shot with BC/CC. You could rattle can it I guess if you're not set up to paint it with a gun.

I like PPG DX 330 Wax and Grease Remover, and a good scotch brite pad is all you really need to prep the plastic for paint.

You first should wipe the plastic with surface cleaner first. This will remove any mold agent that still remains on the part. If you just starting sanding it you can sand the agent right into the part which can lead to poor paint adhesion. Wipe the part clean and dry then you can sand, I use wet 500.

Once I get it ready to to paint I tack it off then shoot one coat of PPG's plastic primer number dpx 801. Many times if you sand through the primer on the plastic the base coat can react with the plastic causing the paint to lift, this primer seals off the bare plastic, bites into the plastic providing adhesion. Let it flash off, then pait with baseclear or SS urethane...Eric

Follow Eric or MartinSR's advise, I have many times, they are the pros. What I did worked for me, but they have far more knowledge than I do.