restoring old faded plastic

[TJ BIG DAWG]

I dont know about you guys but Ive seen some of your restos and you talk about sanding your faded plastics, but I have found a MUCH easier way of doing it. I use a sand blaster with some fairly light sand (I get mine from the dunes near my house) It works awesome and fast! It takes down the dead layer of plastic but doesnt harm the good stuff underneath. Then I just use a car polisher with some rubbing compound (gradually going down in grit) until its smooth and shiny. Anyway I hope this helps some of you out (and saves some more time for RIDING):w00t:

[rckstrgrl21]

Can I wet sand the plastic instead? like a thick grit down to a fine?

I don't have a sand blaster, or a decent air compressor. But i do want to paint the plastics so, mybe this is the wrong path

[Eric250R]

Yes you can wet sand your plastic, going to a finer grit each time. Painting plastic looks good for a while but once it starts cracking it's a mess. Once you've snaded it down as far as you want to go, you can either let it soak in armour all over night or use some car polish.

[rckstrgrl21]

Thanks, I will try this.

[Mrs.Mosh]

Here is a link to some excellent step by step instructions.

http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=24247

[hinddee29]

Yes you can wet sand your plastic, going to a finer grit each time. Painting plastic looks good for a while but once it starts cracking it's a mess. Once you've snaded it down as far as you want to go, you can either let it soak in armour all over night or use some car polish.

rckstrgrl21 do not armour all or polish first if you plan on painting it. Your paint will never stick. If the plastic already has this on it. Don't sand it. Clean and clean. With soap and water also clean with an automotive surface prep cleaner to.
If you sand it first you will be grinding the aarmour all/poshish into the plastic. I had to re paint some plastic 4 times till It worked. Each time taking back down to the plastic and recleaning it. Really if anyone plans on painting plastic new is best. Then again really why paint new plastic.

[edog]

I dont know about you guys but Ive seen some of your restos and you talk about sanding your faded plastics, but I have found a MUCH easier way of doing it. I use a sand blaster with some fairly light sand (I get mine from the dunes near my house) It works awesome and fast! It takes down the dead layer of plastic but doesnt harm the good stuff underneath. Then I just use a car polisher with some rubbing compound (gradually going down in grit) until its smooth and shiny. Anyway I hope this helps some of you out (and saves some more time for RIDING):w00t:

Got any pics of before and after?

[TJ BIG DAWG]

I will post some pix when I get a new camera (mines a busted p.o.s.)

[rckstrgrl21]

moshman, Thanks for that link!! I definately saved that one!