I have l always used lacquer thinner to clean and de-grease plastic panels. Once they are clean the question becomes "What material are you going to wrap the panel with and what type of adhesive are you going to use?"

If you are going to wrap the plastic with vinyl, then you should use a soft fabric under liner material (felt) on the plastic first. The vinyl will not securely bond directly to most plastics. The under liner will bond to the plastic, and the vinyl will bond to the under liner. The under liner material will also give the piece a slightly softer look and feel.

I also recommend using the Weldwood HHR contact adhesive. Spray both surfaces and let them tack good before applying. You can carefully use a heat gun to help soften the vinyl to go around corners.

A company called Mohawk makes a wax and silicone cleaner that works well when Armorall has been used.

I'm in the same boat Tegan, I've expieremented with several solvents. In the past I've used alchol then scuff the plastic with 80 grit then another wipe down with alchol. Then I would do a Light layer of weldwood contact cement, let it dry then apply a normal coat and proceed as normal. I will likely switch to lacquer. Fred, I like your method of an underliner.

It is a matter of chemistry- ABS plastic and other PVC plastics will omit solvents and gases as they age. This will react with the glue and vinyl that would be applied to the panel causing the new material to eventually lift off the surface of the panel.

Just as dissimilar metals will react to each other and fuse together- ie. aluminum and steal. The felt underlined acts as a buffer and eliminates the problem of the applied vinyl failing to adhere to the panel.

thanks Fred, I do use the weldwood hhr glue. I’ve never thought of doing an under layer, makes sense tho since vinyl doesn’t like to stick that well.