Diamond plating

marknjudy
marknjudy Member Posts: 378
in Tips & Tricks
I haven't seen this come up for discussion so I thought I'd ask. This weekend I went to clean what I thought was mud or grease off the diamond plating on the front of my 2016 Tab Max S and discovered that it wasn't either. the paint ir coating is coming off the plastic diamond plating in several areas. i have an email into nucamp but wondered if anyone else has experienced this. 
Mark - 2016 T@b Max S (Silver/Red), 2012 F-150
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Comments

  • marknjudy
    marknjudy Member Posts: 378
    I guess not. Thanks anyway.
    Mark - 2016 T@b Max S (Silver/Red), 2012 F-150
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  • Rolltide82
    Rolltide82 Member Posts: 89
    Usually diamond plate is aluminum.  It will oxidize.  You can buy metal polish made for diamond plate Toolboxes.  Never had any peel myself
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  • marknjudy
    marknjudy Member Posts: 378
    edited August 2017
    Right. However the diamond plate on the front of the tab is plastic. at least on mine. Kind of like an automobile grill. 
    Mark - 2016 T@b Max S (Silver/Red), 2012 F-150
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  • JustJohn
    JustJohn Member Posts: 171
    marknjudy said:
    Right. However the diamond plate on the front of the tab is plastic. at least on mine. Kind of like an automobile grill. 
    Could you post a picture of the area that's damaged? Never seen plastic diamond plate. 
    2016 Outback.....North East N.C...... Former 2012 Silver Shadow
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  • BirdieJane
    BirdieJane Member Posts: 237
    I have a 2017 and it is real aluminum diamond plate. Why would it be plastic, it could not do its job and stop rock chips.
    2017 T@B Outback white w black trim / 2019 Subaru Ascent White with black trim / Birch Bay WA.
    aka BirdieJane towed by Quinn
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  • marknjudy
    marknjudy Member Posts: 378

    I hope I've sized these appropriately. You can see how I initially thought something had splashed on it but the last picture shows flaking in the upper left corner. I'd never seen plastic diamond plate either and I always assumed it was aluminum. Maybe it is and I'm mistaken, but it feels plastic to the touch and the delamination looks like paint wearing off. I don't mind if it IS plastic as most automobile and truck grills are plastic and hold up very well through the years. I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced this or if it was something that I did.

    Mark - 2016 T@b Max S (Silver/Red), 2012 F-150
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  • foxden
    foxden Member Posts: 148
    I think the diamond plate on the non-outback is a plastic material rather than metal.  I just went out to check mine and it definitely appears to be similar to the material used in auto grills, like @marknjudy described.
    2017 Max S - Silver/Red - T@briolet -  2016 Jeep Cherokee - Fredericksburg, TX
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  • ericnliz
    ericnliz Member Posts: 4,437
    @marknjudy, Ours also appears to be plastic, same year & model as yours. Did not have any of the same issues as yours however. I'm curious to know what might have caused the issue you have though. Please let us know if you find out, thanks.
    2016 T@B MAX S-aka: WolfT@B
    TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
    Spokane, Wa.
    Eric aka: Lone Wolf  


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  • marknjudy
    marknjudy Member Posts: 378

    Yes, it doesn't disturb or alarm me that it's plastic. And there isn't any signs of rock or debris striking it. I don't know if something got on it or what. I'm sure Nucamp will know when they've had time to take a breath and e-mail me back on it. I will update everyone on what and why it happened when I know.

    @birdiejane, vehicles have had grills made out of plastic for years and they hold up well to rocks, debris and other things striking it. Maybe not to the extent of a log or boulder, but it is a fine and functional alternative to aluminum.

    Mark - 2016 T@b Max S (Silver/Red), 2012 F-150
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  • ScottG
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,655
    The plate on my 2015 (non-outback) sorta' sounds like plastic when I tap on it, but there are lots of tiny dents from road debris that seem more consistent with aluminum.

    However I don't see any finish coming off as you describe or show in the photos.
    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
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  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    I did a little scratch into ours. Ours is definitely aluminum.
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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  • JustJohn
    JustJohn Member Posts: 171
    Thanks for the photos. Hard to tell from photos and my T@B is an Outback and is aluminum, but the spots look like stains. Have you done a scratch test or tried cleaning it with a 50% vinegar and water solution?
    2016 Outback.....North East N.C...... Former 2012 Silver Shadow
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  • TabberJohn
    TabberJohn Member Posts: 588
    edited August 2017
    Ours seems like plastic. It does look like the chrome coating (paint?) has separated in spots on yours. 
    I see a number of sources for plastic diamond plate online.
    Example: https://www.75chromeshop.com/all-products/chrome-plastic-diamond-plate-sheets/
    2015 T@B Max S (White/Silver) -> 2014 Ford Escape 2.0L (turbo, AWD, factory tow)
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  • marknjudy
    marknjudy Member Posts: 378
    edited August 2017
    Just heard from Nucamp and it's definitely aluminum but agree that it sounds and feels like plastic. They gave me some things to try so lets see what happens. 
    Mark - 2016 T@b Max S (Silver/Red), 2012 F-150
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  • TabberJohn
    TabberJohn Member Posts: 588
    edited August 2017
    I just checked again and it scratches like aluminum but tapping sounds like plastic.
    Since it's aluminum those stains should lift off with some type of cleaner/solvent.
    Found this: https://www.theruststore.com/Does-Aluminum-Rust-W26.aspx

    2015 T@B Max S (White/Silver) -> 2014 Ford Escape 2.0L (turbo, AWD, factory tow)
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  • marknjudy
    marknjudy Member Posts: 378
    Yeah I would have bet money on it being plastic and I only bet on sure things. Especially with the way the discoloration did not seem to be on the plating but actually IN the plating. I'm going to try some cleaner and polish this evening to clean it. Sorry for the misinformation and a big thanks to those here and especially Nucamp. 
    Mark - 2016 T@b Max S (Silver/Red), 2012 F-150
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  • JustJohn
    JustJohn Member Posts: 171
    Glad you got it sorted out. :) Let us know what cleaner works for you. The white vinegar mix has worked on aluminum for me but would like to find something better.
    2016 Outback.....North East N.C...... Former 2012 Silver Shadow
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  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    Mother's Aluminum Polish available at Walmart, Auto Zone, etc. Put on some rubber gloves, apply it and buff it off. Watch doing this in bright sunlight because the shine will almost blind you. ;). Do expect your rags or buffer to become black, which is why I recommend rubber gloves.
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
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  • ericnliz
    ericnliz Member Posts: 4,437
    @marknjudy, Thanks for the verification about being aluminum. Agree with @Verna about Mother's aluminum polish. Works great on aluminum alloy wheels too, but she's right, be careful the black residue is tough to get off anything you don't want it on! :)
    2016 T@B MAX S-aka: WolfT@B
    TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
    Spokane, Wa.
    Eric aka: Lone Wolf  


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  • Michigan_Mike
    Michigan_Mike Member Posts: 2,858
    Agree, this is an awesome product and restores aluminum surfaces to a brilliant luster.  

    Image result for Mothers aluminum polish
    Mike - Elmira, Mi / 2019 T@B 400 / 2021 Chevy Silverado LTZ
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  • ericnliz
    ericnliz Member Posts: 4,437
     B):)  
    2016 T@B MAX S-aka: WolfT@B
    TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
    Spokane, Wa.
    Eric aka: Lone Wolf  


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  • marknjudy
    marknjudy Member Posts: 378
    Thanks for the recommendation. I'm gonna pick some up this evening. Yesterday I used an old reliable: Barkeepers Friend- which cleaned it and took the stains off with bery little elbow grease. Man! If you had seen these stains close up you would have shown it was not a stain but delination! I was going to look for something that would make it really shine and Mothers looks like it will fill the bill. I'll post up a pic to compare against the stained ones. 
    Mark - 2016 T@b Max S (Silver/Red), 2012 F-150
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  • Michigan_Mike
    Michigan_Mike Member Posts: 2,858
    I picked up a small palm polisher like the one below at Harbor Freight for around $25 back when I had a Little Guy 5-wide and it worked great when applying the Mother's Cream on the aluminum fenders.  I think it'd probably work equally as well on the aluminum tub and I will have to try it out.

    Image result for Harbor Freight palm polisher 
    Mike - Elmira, Mi / 2019 T@B 400 / 2021 Chevy Silverado LTZ
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  • marknjudy
    marknjudy Member Posts: 378
    one word to say about Mother's... WOW!!!

    I'll post pics tomorrow when i can shrink them. Looks like a mirror and by that I mean you can even see the white Walmart bag in the reflection. Inthink I'll stop by HF tomorrow and grab me one of those buffers. Bet I can really polish it up with that. Eric, need anything while I'm there?

    One question: will my wife kill me if I was the now black microfiber rags in the new washer?
    Mark - 2016 T@b Max S (Silver/Red), 2012 F-150
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  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    @marknjudy, buy new ones--it won't come out!  They are inexpensive at Walmart. The ones at HF aren't as good. 
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
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  • Ratkity
    Ratkity Member Posts: 3,770
    Mother's has implements of destruc... I mean drill attachments that will gently buff the chrome on anything. Highly recommended on chrome on Harleys and T@Bs. How versatile can you get with a product???
    2017 820R Retro Toy Hauler from 2015 Tabitha T@B from 2009 Reverse LG Teardrop (but a T@Bluver at heart)
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  • ericnliz
    ericnliz Member Posts: 4,437
    @marknjudy, Mark....you're in trouble nooww!! Just wash & save the microfiber cloths for the next time. (Might consider doing it in a laundry sink by hand though!!) I use Dawn dish washing liquid to clean mine in a Home Depot bucket, and then rinse them out real good. Your wife might not "kill" you, for putting them in a new washer, but bodily harm might not be out of the question!!! :o As mentioned by @Ratkity, Mothers does make a "ball" in two different sizes that adapts to a drill. Makes the shining part a LOT faster, and you can use them on aluminum, or steel wheels, bumpers, etc. Takes the "elbow grease" factor down a lot of notches. They also wash out for future use. (NOT in the new washer!!!!)
    Thanks for the HF offer, I'm good for now. Hmmmm, come to think of it, my tool budget went down, and Liz's flower budget went UP. :o:s I'm gonna have to go contemplate this for a bit me thinks........... :|
    2016 T@B MAX S-aka: WolfT@B
    TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
    Spokane, Wa.
    Eric aka: Lone Wolf  


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  • marknjudy
    marknjudy Member Posts: 378

    Good advice @verna. I bought them at Walmart and they were pretty cheap. Cheaper than the labor to clean them. Sorry, @ericnliz, about your HF budget going down.

    So here are the pics of the newly polished diamond plate. They might not show the difference as well in photos until you realize that all the stuff you see in the diamond plate is reflection - my legs, a Walmart sack, etc. It did not shine like this even new, I don't think. PS, the diamond plate does distort the reflection. I don't really have Popeye legs. :)

    Mark - 2016 T@b Max S (Silver/Red), 2012 F-150
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  • ericnliz
    ericnliz Member Posts: 4,437
    @marknjudy :whistle:
    2016 T@B MAX S-aka: WolfT@B
    TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
    Spokane, Wa.
    Eric aka: Lone Wolf  


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  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    Great, @marknjudy!  The stains sort of looked like what I had buffed out on two pieces of trim, of which I had no idea what it was or how it only got on the trim.

    But anyway, Mother's works wonders!  My front tub of the T@B points south so it gets really rough on the eyes when I clean my diamond plate box.  One of these days I will get the front diamond plate sparkling ;)
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
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