removing the "X" off the translusent blue airbox

[squidbuellie]

i picked up a cheap translucent airbox a couple of weeks ago off of craigslist that the previous owner decided to remove the "X" so here are the steps that i went through to clean it up.

this is what it looked like when i picked it up

so first i tried lighter fluid to remove the glue and that didnt work so i used a razor blade to remove most of the big globs of glue

i then used 600 grit sandpaper to remove the glue film. then started with novus #3

 

[squidbuellie]

i polished it till i could not see the out line of the "X" from underneath

then i moved on to novus #2 and about 15 minutes later it looked like this

i had thought that i was done till i looked at it in the sun and realized that i missed a spot so im going to do it over again

i was actually surprised by how easy it was and how little time it took.

 

[snrusnak]

Nice! Many people ask how to do this and always come up empty handed. I'll give a pre-emptive thanks for others for posting this [up]

 

[RuiP]

Very nice work. [up] Would that novus 2 be good to buff my plastics with or should I use buffing compound?

 

[squidbuellie]

 

[Zeroflat24]

That looks great. I tried doing mine, the glue had sank like 1/8th inch into the plastic. I ended up just putting the X back on! Glad yours worked out!

 

[Bobby Buell]

Thanks Squidbeullie. I bought a damaged airbox cover to practice on before removing the X from my (good) one. had given up, but will now attempt again having seen your success.
Good work. [up]

 

[BuellyBagger]

if u've got one to practice on... practice with a rotary buffer (not an orbital)instead of hand polishing. goes sooo much faster. There kinda pricey but u can offset the cost by buffin scratches for buddies (if u get good @ it) Novus looks like pretty good compound just use a wool"buffing" pad with the heavy and a foam "polishing pad" with the light. u'll have to figure out a way to hold the air box in place so it doesnt go flyin though

 

[squidbuellie]

i used one of my stools.. then i didnt have to worry about breaking the front tabs by pushing down to hard.

u'll have to figure out a way to hold the air box in place so it doesnt go flyin though

 

[BuellyBagger]

/\ that is what i did when i preped mine for paint

 

[BuellyBagger]

heres how i mount mine for paint theres studs stickin thru the back bolt wholes and just a hook holdin the front that'd work for buffin 2

 

[Oldgit]

Aha glad I found this thread! Wish I posted here instead of in the paint thread now.

Anyway. Rear seat cowl. Black plastic. Scratched to **** (quite deep) due to me being a douche, so I tried to sand it out, finishing with 1K wet, then used Novus on it. It still looks crap, but at least the deep scratches are gone. Novus 3 just can't seem to get the visual smoothness back.

This polishing pad that was mentioned, can someone link one on ebay or something so I can get an idea of whats good?

Any other recommendations welcome. I'm a noob and I'm screwing it up!

Cheers

 

[snrusnak]

oldgit, just something to keep in mind: When I was trying to buff out the paint on my brother's sportster I couldn't get it to shine, I couldn't get rid of the small swirls. I finally figured out(after rubbing, wet sanding, rubbing, wet sanding, etc. for a looooong time) that the rag I was using was causing the scratches. I switched to a plain white tshirt and it polished out immediately. I don't remember what I was using originally, probably a rougher cloth like a hand towel.

 

[BuellyBagger]

@oldgit: 1000 is awfully coarse to try to buff. when i color sand and buff paint i go all the way to 3000 "tri-zact" i would say u should work ur way down to 2500 jumpin in 500 grit incriments.

 

[Oldgit]

Hmm you have a point there Snr. I'll see if I have a finer cloth. I've been using a fine house-polish cloth, maybe thats a bit gritty.

 

[Zeroflat24]

i took my "X" off and buffed the **** out if it after excessive sanding. There is still an obvious mark where is was. But i like it better.

 

[Zeroflat24]

I am going to order some novus Friday and try to get the rest of the x out but my hopes aren't high.

 

[Zeroflat24]

Are you using a sanding block?

yes. the glue is deep in the plastic. i am actually afraid of sanding through the plastic. How far did you go and what grit did you use?

 

[deathandtexas]

That stuff is magic! Well done. Gonna pick some up.

 

[squidbuellie]

Did the glue melt into the plastic? I used 600/1000 grit