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How to brighten your old faded, chalky plastics

Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:18 pm
by Kenny_McCormic
Just discovered something I though i would pass along.
Found out today that a WD-40 soaked rag followed by a dry one a few minutes later works wonders on body panels, turn signal housings and pretty much anything plastic on the bike, shines up the seat too. My spree went from a 20 yard bike to a 20 foot bike.

Re: How to brighten your old faded, chalky plastics

Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:25 pm
by GlynnC
Thanks Kenny for the tip--thats what I like about this forum, folks helping each other, and sharing info!

Will try this tomorrow!

Re: How to brighten your old faded, chalky plastics

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:14 am
by scooterwerx
haha watch out for dust though, WD40 is like a magnet! turns it brown...

Re: How to brighten your old faded, chalky plastics

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:15 am
by adark248
oooooooh yay gotta give this a try :D

Re: How to brighten your old faded, chalky plastics

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:20 am
by bradthreee
I used Engine Brite engine degreaser on mine with a sponge, followed with a steady stream of water to remove the degreaser. Then sprayed Son of a Gun protectant in the yellow bottle as it was still wet. Let it soak for about 5 min not letting it dry then wipe off with a clean cloth. This did wonders for the plastics on my Gyro. :mrgreen:

Re: How to brighten your old faded, chalky plastics

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 8:58 am
by burnt_toast
Only thing I would think is this trick is likely temporary, similar to polishing. eventually would fade back

But a good one, especially if you have plenty wd40 handy

Re: How to brighten your old faded, chalky plastics

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:03 am
by GIJoeBob
I wet sanded my plastics to remove the surface oxidation. That way I don't have to redo it after the WD40 wears off.

Re: How to brighten your old faded, chalky plastics

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:34 pm
by Kenny_McCormic
The thing is dust doesn't stick to it any worse than it used to and it doesn't fell greasy. i would think that engine degreaser would dissolve plastic.

Re: How to brighten your old faded, chalky plastics

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:58 pm
by TURN1
Woot!

Re: How to brighten your old faded, chalky plastics

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:13 pm
by bradthreee
Kenny_McCormic wrote: i would think that engine degreaser would dissolve plastic.
Others may, but the "Engine Brite" made by Gunk is made for all under engine plastics as well. Its the best stuff I have ever used. I wouldnt tell people to use it if it would dissolve the plastics :roll:

Re: How to brighten your old faded, chalky plastics

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:47 pm
by Kenny_McCormic
Another thing I discovered, boil a carb in water to remove varnish. Do it outside in a junk pan(or go ghetto and use a dented to * dog food bowl)on a burner nobody cares about. Its not as good as buying a bucket of dip but it works.

Re: How to brighten your old faded, chalky plastics

Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 12:41 pm
by Lunytune
What about Armorall? I think I can find a bottle in my son's stuff that he left for Pop to inherit when he left home. It's mine now.

Re: How to brighten your old faded, chalky plastics

Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 1:17 pm
by GIJoeBob
Lunytune wrote:What about Armorall? I think I can find a bottle in my son's stuff that he left for Pop to inherit when he left home. It's mine now.
I have read in more than one source that Armor All is bad for plastic. It eventually damages the plastic.

I stick to my above mentioned process. It removes the chalkiness instead of hiding it.

Re: How to brighten your old faded, chalky plastics

Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 2:33 pm
by dreamer1uk
Hey,

Mothers has a nice product called Back To Black that i have used on my Black Spree and on my Mustang's trim with great results too.

Re: How to brighten your old faded, chalky plastics

Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 7:04 am
by 66SIX
I lied The Colgate tooth paste works OK , But after seeing some other postd on cleaning ,I tried Mothers back to black ... What a difference
Day & night worked great and a lot less work .So use the colgate for brushing your teeth and Mothers Back To Black for cleaning your plastic .