restoring plastic?

[Sniper]

Cheers Stu.

FWIW, the plastic is black coloured, and yes, the hydraulic fluid has faded in a few streaks...

No worries, I have a couple of guys in the workshop checking it out for you as well.

[Coyote]

I had a bit of an accident with brake fluid, didn't wreck anything fortunately. Got onto some paint but didn't seem to affect it in anyway

[flash]

i use that clear plastic on slected parts on the kdx.do you think that the ktm would look better if i completely covered it? (so much that it went behind the plastic fairings so you dont get shrining marks and dirt showing)

[Buddha#81:Me]

autosol is avaliable from TWL (Transport Wholesale Ltd) sould be a branch near you somewhere, Truckies use it to polish their shit and glitter. I have used a heat gun to restore the luster on faded plastic's on an old trail bike, a word of warning as we all know is plastic can only take so much heat, either way you end up with new looking plastic (one ways a bit cheaper). Realy munted plastic can bee cleaned with a mild abrasive eg: jiff but as a last resort.

[Pixie]

Meguires do a plastic polish that is good enough to polish scratches out of clear PVC tent windows.
It is a 2 stage process (2 bottles of different abrasive).
I don't see it at Car parts stores, so you'll need to contact Meguires direct.
In spite of what my signature says I looked up for you
http://www.meguiars.com/estore/produ...ectionID=34101
Mirror glaze

[MacD]

Interesting thread. I have some cosmetic damage on my bike where the clutch fluid has leaked out of the master cylinder onto the glovebox cover (yes, the RF900 has a glovebox).

Nw I've fixed the leak properly, does anyone have any ideas how to fix the damage to the plastic? (it's kind of lightened the plastic where it dribbled onto it).

I have the same problem. I've found that Pledge darkens the plastic up quite well. I imagine any silicone-based polish would do the same thing (eg: Armourall).

The glovebox is actually rather useful!

[Sniper]

Just heard Pledge will do a good job as well Riffer. PM sent earlier

[Posh Tourer :P]

I would use something like scratch and swirl remover to get rid of sun damage, etc, perhaps a *light* sand to get big scratches out, or just clean them. After you use the scratch and swirl remover, protect it somehow - armourall/ScottoilerFS365/wax etc etc

[R1madness]

Here is an OLD trick. (its almost as old as me hahaha)
First clean the panel with warm soapy water then VERY GENTLY heat up the plastic (this only works on unpainted plastic) using a hot air paint stripper (or hair dryer but it is a bit slow and the misses will kill ya if ya burn it out haha). This allows the plastic to reobsorbe the waxes/oils that have blead to the surface. Be gentle and patient. you will see the guard begin to gloss up as it warms. When it cools give it a quick rub with a rag and presto... a nice shiney plastic panel.

[Bonez]

"Neapol" from the supermarket should siny things up a bit.

[Jackrat]

any way how to restore the scratched up plastic fairing on my dirtbike?, i want them shiney looking though, but dont wana spend money on new ones seem it will just happen again

i know you can sand them but them loose their shinnyist and get dirtyer easier.

anyone know any tricks of the trade?

The people I work for make plastic water tanks and plastic boats(MAC boats).
When we get scratches on them while their in the yard or during delivery,we hit them with a canister type blow torch.The scratch just melts back into the tank/boat,you'd never know it was there in the first place.There is also a polish available that brings em' up a treat.If the type of plastic your talking about can be welded then the gas can trick will work.I've even used a ciggy lighter when I've had a close encounter with a bridge an the scatches were a bit much to put over the customer. But we don't talk about that right!!