Plastic Repair Services Elk River MN

As plastic components become more prevalent on auto exteriors, it's becoming crucial to know how to properly refinish these parts.

By Ken Phillips
5/1/2001

Most of us baby boomers can remember this particular scene from "The Graduate": Benjamin Braddock, played by Dustin Hoffman, has just returned home from school, having graduated with honors from college but with no idea of what to do with his life. While relaxing in his parents' pool, he has the following conversation with his father's best friend, Mr. McGuire.

Mr. McGuire: I just want to say one word to you -- just one word.

Benjamin Braddock: Yes, sir.

Mr. McGuire: Are you listening?

Benjamin Braddock: Yes, sir I am.

Mr. McGuire: Plastics.

That was in 1967. And while the word "plastics" might not have meant much to Benjamin Braddock (or at least, not as much as Mrs. Robinson did), that word would come to revolutionize the automotive industry. For it was in the 1960s that automotive manufacturers began using more and more plastic in their vehicles. In 1970, the average vehicle in North America contained less than 70 pounds of plastic. Today, it's up to 257 pounds. What does this mean? Plastic is displacing metal alloys in modern car design and manufacturing, and its use will continue to rise - meaning the number of times you'll be refinishing plastic will also continue to rise.

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