Plastic Shine

kaw700vforce · #1 (**permalink**) 02-20-2005, 02:11 PM

Between a few scratches, and tons of coal dust My plastics are getting to look a little dull..
What do you guys use to bring back some of the shine..?

I have yet to find anything that works good.

Thanks

CronicArt · #2 (**permalink**) 02-20-2005, 02:14 PM

I used to coat my bike with Black Magic tire shine after every wash. Not only did it make the plastics look brand new it also made the dirt come off easier when I washed it.

PolarisNut · #3 (**permalink**) 02-20-2005, 02:19 PM

If you have black plastics on your bike, there is stuff for Jeeps that keeps the fender extenders looking new. I think its called Forever Black. I use it on my mud gaurds to keep them looking new. The rest of my bike is Mossy Oak camo so dirt doesn't show that much.

kaw700vforce · #4 (**permalink**) 02-20-2005, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CronicArt@Feb 20 2005, 09:14 AM
I used to coat my bike with Black Magic tire shine after every wash. Not only did it make the plastics look brand new it also made the dirt come off easier when I washed it.
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Is that the same as using wd-40 ?, cause that did not work..It kept the dirt off , but it trapped some in the scratches as well..I'll give it a try.

oh yeah.. my plastics are kawi green.

tuze · #5 (**permalink**) 02-20-2005, 03:21 PM

I WASH MY BIKE WITH PURPLE POWER,I TAKES OFF PRETTY MUCH ALL DIRT WITHOUT ANY SCRUBBING.THEN I SPRAY WD-40 ON PLASTICS AND THEN WIPE IT OFF.IT LEAVEA A LITTLE BIT OF A FILM,BUT IT MAKES IT LOOK SHOWROOM CLEAN

rollindeep22 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-20-2005, 04:06 PM

i use HONDA POLISH for everything atv,bikes,cars it work wounders then i spray a light coast of wd-40 over it with a rag

LostCauseSVT · #7 (**permalink**) 02-20-2005, 04:53 PM

When it comes to what to put on to make it shine and what you use to clean it is very important! Black magic and other oily chemicals like armorall will take toll on your plastics and dry them out slowly making them look dull over the years. Using harsh cleaning chemicals will also create the plastics to fade and loose the original shine. the best thing to do after riding is use a soapy wash mit and go to town, after all seid and done wax the plastics with a wax (use a wax that has a very very low abbrasive meter , if not you will dull your plastics!) Lets be honest nothing is gonna keep the mud off the quad when riding but wd40 and other dressings will just create a film of slight dust and oil on your bike that wont come off in those hard to reach areas unless your using a tooth brush and elbow grease.

CronicArt · #8 (**permalink**) 02-21-2005, 05:22 AM

Simple green will take off any of the black magic type stuff. DO NOT USE SIMPLE GREEN STRAIGHT!!! It will dull your aluminum and remove any anodizing. I use it 10:1 ratio. I don't use the black magic anymore. No reason other than just got lazy. I never noticed it making the plastics worse.

I have used a propane torch on my plastics to take out the discoloration. That will bring back a shine and take out some scratches but, it takes some skill to do or you will burn and melt your plastics. That also leaves a shine because it melts the very top layer and makes it smooth.

All in all I'd just assume leave'em till they break and need replacing. Bikes and quads are made for the dirt after all. They are suppose to get messed up. I used to detail my bike after every ride. Now I just wash it every three rides when I have to clean the filter and change the oil.

kaw700vforce · #9 (**permalink**) 02-21-2005, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CronicArt@Feb 21 2005, 12:22 AM
Simple green will take off any of the black magic type stuff. DO NOT USE SIMPLE GREEN STRAIGHT!!! It will dull your aluminum and remove any anodizing. I use it 10:1 ratio.* I don't use the black magic anymore. No reason other than just got lazy. I never noticed it making the plastics worse.

I have used a propane torch on my plastics to take out the discoloration. That will bring back a shine and take out some scratches but, it takes some skill to do or you will burn and melt your plastics. That also leaves a shine because it melts the very top layer and makes it smooth.

All in all I'd just assume leave'em till they break and need replacing. Bikes and quads are made for the dirt after all. They are suppose to get messed up. I used to detail my bike after every ride. Now I just wash it every three rides when I have to clean the filter and change the oil.
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I agree, they are made to get dirty.But every once and awhile I like to "detail" it and get all the "crud" from the nooks and crannies, and when I'm done..the dulling plastic sort of looks like crap. I was just looking for a few "quick" ideas.

Thanks all! :smiliethumbup:

ridnwarrior · #10 (**permalink**) 02-21-2005, 05:31 AM

My plastics are white. Even though I use the pressure washer after every race
and/or ride, they still look like crap after awhile.
The only thing I found to clean even white plastics is gasoline on a nice clean rag. It takes some elbow grease depending on how bad the bike is but it even cleans the dirt out of the scratches! I started using this method on my 1990 YZ250 and have been doing it ever since no matter what color the plastics are.
If you don't believe me, try it on a hidden area, you'll see.
Cheap too, less than $ .50 a quart!

Ask David how white the machine is!