Fixing those minor scratches on the plastic

[tburdess]

sorry bout the pic sizes, photobucket and I had an argument and everyone else lost.

Okay, even though this is a "how do i fix my scratches", I want to start by saying that i'm no painter, so please be kind when commenting about my hack job rebadging my bike. (been tryin to find decals with no success, all the parts dealers say no ETA on them. Sooo there ya go ) But while screwing around trying to paint my airbox, i stumbled onto this and thought others might be interested.

I had just feathered out the lettering with a wet sanding of 2000 grit, which of course makes the plastic hazy. And I have this metal polishing compound that i use all the time in my metal artwork, so i thought i would give it a whirl and see how it did.

I heated up the compound (BTW this can be bought at Lowes or Home Depot) just a little, then dabbed it around the area i would be working. Then with a soft cotton towel (don't use a nice towel, it will have compound forever embedded in it), i began to rub vigorously, making sure that i worked over all the affected area that had been hazed in the sanding. Then using a clean part of the rag, i wiped off all the excess. I was blown away by the results, all the scratches are gone. Its that simple!! Hope ya'll enjoy the pics.

And one of the other side after I was done

 

[Blaylock1988]

Dang! I have some scuffs on my airbox cover from the previous owner, I will have to try this. How much did the compound cost?

 

[tburdess]

I think its about $6'ish at Home Depot or Lowes. I've bought it at both places.

If you have a spot that is really scuffed good, you might try wet sanding it with some 2000 before you throw this compound down on it. Pretty sure walmart carries it that high of a grit.

 

[ahfunaki]

Can you go into detail a little more about how you did it?

I picked some of this polish up for like $3 at Lowe's ( http://www.lowes.com/pd_329453-70-P...RL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=high+gloss+polish&facetInfo= ) It's a different brand, but it's green and looks similar to what you used.

But the issue I'm having is I'll heat it up put it on the plastic and then it hardens immediately. How exactly are you doing the buffing? I feel as if I'm missing something here.

Thanks in advance!

 

[tburdess]

There isn't a whole lot more to tell.. heat up the wax, dab it around and rub. But you have to use pressure, you have to work that wax down into the plastic so it can polish the area. Also you have to remember this isn't simply wax, this is a polishing wax. It is technically a super fine sand paper. It cuts out scratches. So to do its job you got to really rub rub rub.

you just have to really get down in there and use lots of muscle. I wouldn't use an power equipment, you don't want to damage the plastic. Just make sure its a soft cotton cloth, lots of elbow grease and you can't screw it up.

 

[sparky300]

Awesome tip tburd, thanks and repped

 

[Lesley]

Great write up [up] Very helpful

 

[ASH]

[up] rep point.

 

[tburdess]

thanks guys

 

[xtreme]

Good right up. I have only used the Novus system, may have to try this one out.

 

[Petey]

Do you think this will work for translucent air box's, may be do a you tube video

 

[CrazyTexan]

Turned out really nice. I used a headlights restore kit on my brothers bike when he scratched it. Other than that like u said, wet sand, and rubbing compound/machine polish works awesome.

 

[victormonopoly]

I couldn't find this stuff at my local Ace. I did pick up some Turtle Wax Polishing compound though. Hopefully that gets me in the ballpark.

 

[stensg]

Do I need to wet sand or will this work on swirl marks/scratches? just wax or sand and wax?