Polishing plastic

[Anonymous]

In regards to my Tachometer/Speedometer unit....what if I wanted to make the black plastic part look new? Would all I'd have to do is cover it with the appropriate black paint? Or would I have to go through this whole plastic sanding routine?

Rudi
1980 GS1100E

[crag antler]

Re: Polishing plastic

Thought I had a great idea the other day.
The sides of my airbox look terrible, gray and weather worn. Figured if I get off the top layer and back to new material they'd shine like new.
So I wet sanded it with 220 and then used some polishing compound I had sitting around.
They cleaned up pretty nice but not to the level I'd hoped.

So did I quit too early or maybe not use the right method?
Is it even possible to restore that look of "brand new" to plastic?

Afraid if I paint it it'll just get tore up putting it back in the frame. It's a pretty tight fit.

I had the exact problem on my airbox.
Over a few weeks, I found that just by applying cleaner wax(Mequires) and a little elbow grease the color has really come back. A little fingernail scrapping to get the old grey color off and some Armor-All and now they look new.

Rudi, for the gauge covers try ArmorAll and patience. You should see an improvement over time.

[Anonymous]

Doug,

I don't suppose you could send some pics of your work? I'd really like to see how it turned out.

Thanks!

Rudi
1980 GS1100E

rudi_anger@yahoo.com

[crag antler]

I'll go out to the barn and get you a few pics.

[crag antler]

Here a before and after look:
Before
[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0ZADcAu8bLEgK62JS6lHZemdJe2ffhDaSx2e!ItCRdMpm6JoQ! 38*FFscc13aVsfatf!heb28CtQY40v2levartYrz95xQZ0nDFN zXJpPKlUbuNXmHAxSw3ggcRvGtMChLc4pWDQnUF*Gfq0sOSMmO Q/1983-Suzuki-GS1100E-II-002.jpg?dc=4675426030057867196[/img]

After
[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0VgDiAtIZXWlBuce0Q!ifqiJ!BYSeqXd4vVMW4z5sWrMM9BpB4 Fd0jYPcHlOUNLkp8tGRb7qQIXYlR6P05Xi8DP6CwRBtrRjS3EG zGY*OVKPszmYAULkZoGqGlRAVvsVZ/Various-bike-011.jpg?dc=4675426030160866874[/img]

A little better then it was. Still have to do a little more polishing to it.
As you can see, I was able to get the grey scaling off 8)

[Anonymous]

sweet bike! I've always like that one....

Have you touched up your Tachometer/Speedometer unit yet?

Rudi

[crag antler]

I'm lucky to where the speedo/tach housing is in godd shape. No discoloring.
Pretty lucky considering to original owner was in Arizona. I have the 1st title and only know the 1 name of how many owners?

[Anonymous]

So you really think the dark black color can come back without repainting the Tach/Speedometer unit?

[crag antler]

So you really think the dark black color can come back without repainting the Tach/Speedometer unit?

Rudi, post a picture of your Tach/Speedo unit if you can. I think you should be able to bring back the color 8)

[Anonymous]

I'm heading out of town for a week...so I'll post the pic then.
Thanks! :-)

Rudi

[frosty5011]

Rudi,

The GS750 I just got.......the handlebar control covers were in such bad shape that I was certain I was going to have to replace them. It was literally light grey in color and very rough.

Just for kicks, before ordering another set off of e-bay, I used a Q-tip and put a "liberal" coating of Armor-All on the covers one evening. Real thick!!!......and at same time also removed a lot of dirt that had worked itself into the plastic over the last 25 years with the afore-mentioned Q-tip.

Next day I wiped the parts down with a rag - they look practically brand new. Nice dark black. If it weren't for the somewhat worn lettering on the controls, you would think they were new.

Try the friggin Armor-All.......what have you got to lose?

[Anonymous]

Rudi,

The GS750 I just got.......the handlebar control covers were in such bad shape that I was certain I was going to have to replace them. It was literally light grey in color and very rough.

Just for kicks, before ordering another set off of e-bay, I used a Q-tip and put a "liberal" coating of Armor-All on the covers one evening. Real thick!!!......and at same time also removed a lot of dirt that had worked itself into the plastic over the last 25 years with the afore-mentioned Q-tip.

Next day I wiped the parts down with a rag - they look practically brand new. Nice dark black. If it weren't for the somewhat worn lettering on the controls, you would think they were new.

Try the friggin Armor-All.......what have you got to lose?

Nothing, that's what! :-) I'll give it a try! Thanks for the tip!

Rudi
1980 GS1100E