My 996.1 frunk latch has this red plastic "condom" on the end of it that makes it easy to see when opening the frunk. It's gotten faded over the years and I'd like to replace it. I have not been able to find a part number for it nor is it even shown in the parts diagrams I've looked at.

Is this a factory part? Is it something a previous owner stuck on or possibly the latch was replaced with a non-factory one?

Any idea where I can get one? NOTE: I mention 996.1 since the later models are electric and may have a different latch.

 

I was looking for the same thing and found that you cannot order it and the latch is no longer made, meaning you'd have to find a used latch with a good red cover and swap it out....I could be totally wrong but that's what I was able to find.

 

No Longer Available... https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...11-053-02-M100

 

Hmmm. That doesn't bode well. I think I see a can of red spray paint in my future.

 

Plasti Dip? How about a large section of red heat shrink?

Edit: after looking at the part, plasti dip would work just fine IMO

 

You could try some of the various “plastic restore” products to brighten it back up slightly. It doesn’t come out bright red like new, but it improves the look.

 

I thought about Plastidip but don't know how it's applied. Removing the entire latch to do it might be a lot of trouble. I'll have to look into it.

Then again, prepping the whole frunk area for an in-place spray paint job might not be any easier.

 

Get a can of Plasti Dip then you can "dip" the handle in it. Maybe several times over. Also have used Plasti Dip to spray my mailbox flag. Painters tape and Red Plasti Dip. Holds up for years.

 

The latch assembly is available for the .1 996
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...rrPD_BwE&ByPas

 

Might be the way to go. I just need to see how difficult it is to remove the latch. I was hoping I could pay $10 and slide a new one on but it's looking like that's not possible.

 

True. I looked for the plastic piece alone on Pelican and came up empty. Then I went to the other sites with the line drawings of the parts to see if there was a part number for that piece. It wasn't even shown. Just the latch. The latch itself is fine so I don't need to buy a new one.

 

If the rubber grip is fine but faded in color, then I would recommend a plastic/rubber dye instead of a paint or Plasti Dip. If you use it, definitely wear gloves. The finish would be more desirable in my opinion. It's like comparing dying leather vs. painting it. Paint will flake off, but dye is more aggressive and coats deep into the pours of the leather. Same applies to plastic or rubber. You need something that is strong enough to bond deep in the surface, not sit on the surface.

https://foxandsuperfineshop.com/prod...s-and-plastics

 

If it's just faded you could dye it, but if it's cracking from age, you'd need to reverse-engineer the factory process by which the "condom" (lol) was installed.

I'm thinking you could use heat shrink endcaps to pull it off. Dimensions not correct but for example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/315129532099

 

Hmmm, these look interesting. I wonder if they can handle the bends in the latch...

 

I restored mine by carefully using a heat gun. It melts the top layer of the plastic and renews the color.

Same concept as this (where I got the idea):


Edit: You should probably put something between the heat and the rest of the bumper area to avoid any collateral damage.