Dressing up the black plastic bits

[Guest]

I have begun looking at dressing things up on my gs and while i have had to make some concessions due to parts availability I do want to keep it mostly stock looking.

I am wondering what some of you detail guys have used on the black plastic. Specifically I would like to dress up the turn signal stems, headlight bucket and rear fender. The turn singnal stems are in need of the most help. They arent bleached out but you can see the surface is a bit worn. I thought about Armourall but recall hearing that it can have some negative effects. So if you addressed this issue .. what did you use? I am considering just the same paste wax I use on the tank?

Alex

[1978GS750E]

I use Meguires "Back to Black" plastic restorer. Works great even on plastics that are not black. Just be ready to spend some time on it, lots of coats over a few days.....or weeks!

[gsrick]

I use Meguires "Back to Black" plastic restorer. Works great even on plastics that are not black. Just be ready to spend some time on it, lots of coats over a few days.....or weeks!

We use this at my work to make the plastics look like new, probably the same thing.

[nvr2old]

You could also scuff them up with a Scotch Brite pad and spray them with a black satin plastic paint. 3M makes a great product specifically for the job.

[posplayr]

You should give a heat gun a try.

[hillsy]

+1 for the heat gun. Be careful on thin / small plastics as you can easily overheat them and the surfaces can bubble and blister.

[glib]

I use Meguires "Back to Black" plastic restorer. Works great even on plastics that are not black. Just be ready to spend some time on it, lots of coats over a few days.....or weeks!

Mother’s also makes “Back to Black.” I just started using it. Works great.

[steve murdoch]

I use the Back to Black with 0000 steel wool.
Doesn't last forever but the occasional touch-up is no big deal.

[fixmybrokecomputer]

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-plastic-resurfacer-matte-black-aerosol.html?fee=7&fep=49775&SRCCODE=PLA00020&product_id=15089Z&adpos=1o8&creative=83580268260&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKEAjw3drIBRCOwfC-_qqyjQ8SJADvoWQpmwnYDfv9K0VAj37KzZ29ec6t536nLaKj_YgldoW4RhoCzmTw_wcB

[Boriqua]

I use the Back to Black with 0000 steel wool.
Doesn't last forever but the occasional touch-up is no big deal.

Thank you so much everyone for your ideas. Steve are you polishing fist with the 000 or are you treating it like a stain project and using the 000 in between applications of the goop?

[Deuce]

You should give a heat gun a try.

I watched a friend bring back the plastic bodywork on his atv. I was amazed at how it worked. That was on colored plastic, not black.

[Gorminrider]

Simoniz also makes a similar plastic restorer and is slightly cheaper. Works great! Kind of a miracle and less destructive than all the other polishing, rubbing,sanding methods I tried. Lasts very well in my climate.

I never went to the heat-gun thing as it seemed it must get so hot as to gas-off the solvents in plastic which would make it brittle.

[Sandy]

I've used the Back to Black type products for years and like how they work. Initialy you will need several applications over a period of time and just the odd application to maintain appearance. It even renewed my old original crusty carb boots 15 years ago. I just set them on the work bench assembled with the carbs and over a few month period just gave them a squirt fairly often as I walked by them and they ended up basically perfect. Once a year I give them another application and they're a still nice and pliable. Great product.

[steve murdoch]

Thank you so much everyone for your ideas. Steve are you polishing fist with the 000 or are you treating it like a stain project and using the 000 in between applications of the goop?

I am just using the steel wool as the applique.
The theory is that the tiny bit of abrasiveness provided by the wool "scuffs" the surface enough for the liquid to be slightly absorbed.
There is a small amount of residue but a wipe/buff with a cloth takes care of it.

[1978GS750E]

I was mistaken.....It is Mothers Back to Black! Works great!