Restoring faded plastics

roundhouse · 04-14-2020, 08:06 PM

Want a tip on restoring faded plastics?

My new to me KLR has sat in the sun it's whole life I fear. The plastics were faded and all chalky. My old timer neighbor (Also rides) Came over when he saw me ride up. Took on e look and went home. He came back with a heat gun, a bottle of mineral spirits and a bottle of boiled linseed oil.

He told me to take off the plastics and use the heat gun in little circles just long enough to kinda melt the surface and keep moving. This brought back a lot of color but then he said mix 50/50 the linseed oil and mineral spirits and wipe em down.

I was shocked at how good it is going. Here is a pic. (I tried it on the hawk plastics in a little spot and it did nothing. They are just slightly faded)

I am going to save $400 not having to buy all new plastics.

Thought I would share the tip. It is a good one.

Weldangrind · 04-15-2020, 01:00 AM

I tried that once and held the heat a little too long in one spot. Made me sad. Otherwise, it's a great tip.
Another method is to use a drywall sanding sponge to get them smooth, and then polish with a buffing wheel and some compound.

roundhouse · 04-15-2020, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I tried that once and held the heat a little too long in one spot. Made me sad. Otherwise, it's a great tip.
Another method is to use a drywall sanding sponge to get them smooth, and then polish with a buffing wheel and some compound.

I used a sponge and sand-paper first. I tried to buff it and it was looking good but took 10X as long. This is fast and easy.

Will it last? I do not know.

Bruces · 04-15-2020, 08:30 AM

It won’t last but you can do it again ,and the colour will end up being darker in places but still good enough .If you want to speed it up ,a propane torch works fine but keep it moving .

roundhouse · 04-15-2020, 07:44 PM

10-4. I hear using that ceramic coating stuff will stop the color from fading.

2LZ · 04-15-2020, 11:52 PM

Mineral spirits and boiled linseed oil is how I did the finish on my guitar build. If you mix in a third part of wipe-on poly, you have Tru-oil....which is not legal here in CA. The stuff is magic if used properly.
Your plastics look great!!!!

Apollo250 · 04-16-2020, 12:16 AM

I've seen videos where someone heats up faded plastic with a torch or heat gun and it makes them look brand new. Worth a shot!

04-15-2020, 01:00 AM	#2
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I tried that once and held the heat a little too long in one spot. Made me sad. Otherwise, it's a great tip. Another method is to use a drywall sanding sponge to get them smooth, and then polish with a buffing wheel and some compound. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
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04-15-2020, 11:52 PM	#6
2LZ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Volcano, Ca Posts: 7,112	Mineral spirits and boiled linseed oil is how I did the finish on my guitar build. If you mix in a third part of wipe-on poly, you have Tru-oil....which is not legal here in CA. The stuff is magic if used properly. Your plastics look great!!!! __________________ "Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350
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04-15-2020, 08:30 AM	#4
Bruces Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 1,637	It won’t last but you can do it again ,and the colour will end up being darker in places but still good enough .If you want to speed it up ,a propane torch works fine but keep it moving .
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04-15-2020, 07:44 PM	#5
roundhouse Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: N Texas Posts: 706	10-4. I hear using that ceramic coating stuff will stop the color from fading.
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04-16-2020, 12:16 AM	#7
Apollo250 Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 4	I've seen videos where someone heats up faded plastic with a torch or heat gun and it makes them look brand new. Worth a shot!
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