Restoring sun faded plastic...

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by S3V, Jun 5, 2012.

  1. S3V

    S3V New Member

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    In another thread, I once mentioned how I restore sun faded plastic. I use 2 parts paint thinner to 1 part boiled linseed oil. Rub it into the plastic and wipe off any excess. Attached is a before and after that literally took 3 minutes to do (it took longer to remove and reinstall the part - that took 15 minutes). The oil penetrates the plastic and lasts a long time. This isn’t anything I came up with; it’s a trick that has been around a long time.

    For those that are going to make comments about the rare occurrence of spontaneous combustion with the soiled rags (it’s not specific to BLO), simply let them air dry un-bunched or place them in a metal can (like an old paint can) that you can seal – just like you would/should treat any soiled rag. Spontaneous combustion DOES NOT/WILL NOT happen to the refinished plastic.

    Here's a before and after photo:

    Before-n-After.jpg
     
  2. smack doogle

    smack doogle New Member

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    Wow! Thanks. I never new this. I was using Vaseline and for the most part, it works pretty well but not that well!
     
  3. betarace

    betarace New Member

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    Even better is a product called BACK TO BLACK available on wheelwax.com.
     
  4. Metallican525

    Metallican525 New Member

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    This is what I've been using, followed up by a generous coat of silicone spray. How do you go about boiling linseed oil?? On the stove or outside??
     
  5. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    I hear the Duc doods use olive oil.
     
  6. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    The first step in boiling linseed oil is to make sure your fire insurance is all paid up. The second step is to read "Don't try this at home" about ten times. Third step is buy the stuff at a paint store or even Homers. Step 4 is to type in "www.google.com and then type in "linseed oil". Step 5 is to look in a mirror and say three "What me worrys."
     
  7. Guj

    Guj New Member

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    +1 Silicone spray is cheap and seems to work fine for me. But I haven't delt with something that is faded that bad yet.
     
  8. ahdoman

    ahdoman New Member

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    I assume that technique will not work where you have printing on the plastic? For example on the left and right handlebar controls? I would think it would take the writing off?
     
  9. Keager

    Keager Member

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    I've always used the petroleum jelly every year on the black before I put in storage. Wipe it off when I get it back out, and stays looking good. I rubbed it on the start/stop switch area on my last bike for the 9 years I had it - looked new the day I traded her in. Lettering was still highly visible.
     
  10. S3V

    S3V New Member

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    You don't boil it yourself. You buy it from the hardware store that way.

    I used it on my handlebar controls with no problem. I wouldn't rub hard on the lettering though.
     
  11. ahdoman

    ahdoman New Member

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  12. S3V

    S3V New Member

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    That's exactly what mine looked like before I treated them. You can use mineral spirits (not as harsh as paint thinner) rather than paint thinner and be gentle around the lettering. I was careful around the lettering and didn't remove them. I'll try to remember to upload a photo of them tonight.

    Or, try the Back to Black - I've never used it; so, I don't no much about it. I do know that the Armor All plastic restore does NOT work very well, nor does it last very long.
     
  13. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    What is the difference between paint thinner, mineral spirits and Stoddard solvent?
     
  14. Metallican525

    Metallican525 New Member

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    :doh: Well I feel like a dumbass now, never seen that before, guess I wasn't lookin huh!
     
  15. S3V

    S3V New Member

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    Put simply (and not getting into how they're refined, etc.), it's their relative level of strength. Mineral spirits is fairly week whereas laquer thinner, for example, is pretty strong stuff. Paint thinner is somewhere in between. Acetone is stronger than paint thinner but not as strong as laquer thinner. When doing various wood restoration projects, you'll use different strengths depending on what you are trying to acomplish.


    Here is a picture of your switch, which is what mine looked like before treatment. Next to it is a picture of mine, two years after treatment.
    BandA.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2012
  16. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    You can put that stuff on your wood if you want to. Not me! Thanks for cutting through all that technical stuff.
     
  17. fieldsanitation

    fieldsanitation New Member

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    Mothers® Back-to-Black®

    couldn't find it at the other site you mentioned. gonna do that for my chainguard first I think. See how well it works.
     
  18. betarace

    betarace New Member

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    http://yhst-129408517919772.stores.yahoo.net/extreme-black.html
     
  19. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    Gud one!!! I been using Pledge furniture polish on my stuff for years. When I do park in the sun, I use a bike conundrum, (bike cover)...I used lynseed oil to get the chaulk to adhere on a clay tennis court back in the day...stripe with lynseed oil/then follow with white chaulk. Smelled funky too...
     
  20. Dukiedook

    Dukiedook New Member

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    some of the 750 guys have used wintergreen oil to soften up hardened rubber bits, not sure it it would be good for this application.
     
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