Renewing Faded plastics

11843 Views 30 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Masterlink, Jan 27, 2011

superg_nyus

Discussion Starter · Aug 10, 2010

My daughter got an 06 TRX250 a couple weeks ago and the plastics were in pretty bad shape when we picked it up. You could tell he left it outside for most of its life. Hubby did some research on renewing them and found that the "plastic renew" stuff on the market didn't have good reviews with other enthusiasts. So he bought a heat gun for $25 at Lowe's. It took him a good 2 hours to cover every inch of red plastic but if you're looking to renew faded plastics without a whole lot of money, I highly recommend getting a heat gun. The difference was night and day. Or, pink and red!

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

tomgodd

· #2 · Aug 10, 2010

Interesting! DO you have any pics? Before and after would be AWESOME!

mud99

· #3 · Aug 11, 2010

Thats a good idea. I bet she is happy.

superg_nyus

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 12, 2010

We took some photos but with the way the sun was shining you couldn't tell a difference in the photos. I can put some up of how it looks now that we used SC1 Plastic cleaner/top coat. I'm sure that if the previous owner saw it now he wouldn't say it's the same bike.

Masterlink

· #5 · Aug 12, 2010

I have had pretty good luck useing a high speed car buffer.and liquid wax.but it does get the plastic fairly hot.same result.just going about it differently.I did see the heat gun trick on Hot Rod TV a while back though.and it worked great.

superg_nyus

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 17, 2010

that's exactly where Todd saw it. Power Block TV.

Masterlink

· #7 · Aug 17, 2010

yep! record it every saturday morning.

r3ds2k

· #8 · Aug 21, 2010

what is this process with a heat gun? any links? diy?

Masterlink

· #9 · Aug 22, 2010

Just heat it up.keep moving the heat gun around though.dont want to melt anything.but stay in the same general area.you will see it change real qiuck.there is no prosess to it.just start slow.and you will catch on pretty quick.

Reactions: 1

r3ds2k

· #10 · Aug 23, 2010

how long does it last?

Masterlink

· #11 · Aug 23, 2010 (Edited)

As long as new plastic does.take care of it.and use plexis plastic polish on it.how you take care of it will have alot to do with how long it last.it's not just a quick fix...it bring's the color.and the shine right back to original.i think you will be happy with the end result.
D.

r3ds2k

· #12 · Aug 24, 2010

thanks i just got a used one and the plastics are pretty faded and scratched up. im not to worry as it is a off road toy.

since im here. whats the best way to get rid of rust? wire wheel?

Masterlink

· #13 · Aug 24, 2010

If you use a wire wheel.make sure to use a good primer before you paint.Also..if you use a Buffer and some light compound.those scratch's will smooth up quit a bit.The heat gun mainly bring's the color back.but a buffer will make it shine like new.even the scratch's..there is no real Method to the madness.it's all in how much time you want to spend on it.
D.

r3ds2k

· #14 · Aug 25, 2010

thanks for the help. i plan on riding it for the rest of this season and when winter comes, im gonna tear down and make this bike like new again

mud99

· #15 · Aug 25, 2010

Be sure to get some before and after pics to post up for us to see

r3ds2k

· #16 · Aug 25, 2010

2

mud99 said:
Be sure to get some before and after pics to post up for us to see

of the plastics or the whole redo of the frame and bike?

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mud99

· #17 · Aug 26, 2010

If your doing the whole thing, pics of the whole project. Before, during and after. That would be cool to see

r3ds2k

· #18 · Aug 26, 2010

mud99 said:
If your doing the whole thing, pics of the whole project. Before, during and after. That would be cool to see

oh i will. i plan on doing the arms to see how just painting and clearing it will hold up.

mud99

· #19 · Aug 26, 2010

If the money is there I would powder coat them. Much stronger

r3ds2k

· #20 · Aug 26, 2010

3

mud99 said:
If the money is there I would powder coat them. Much stronger

i have painted just about everything that was silver on my street bike to flat black with no clear. such as my rear subframe, rearsets, gas cap, all the silver bolts and nuts. it has held up alot better than i expected. sure it doesnt see any off road uses but wash after wash with no clear, it hasnt chipped or anything....

and a year later this is how they look like still, the chip on the heel guard was from installation and never went back to fix it lol. the spikes on the pegs are the only area that has wore back to silver but still looks good

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