OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => Tech Talk => Topic started by: Toolboy on April 22, 2013, 07:11:48 pm

Title: Sun Damaged Plastic
Post by: Toolboy on April 22, 2013, 07:11:48 pm: Gday all,

Is there a remedy for cleaning up sun damaged plastic or just a waste of time????

Thanks

Tim
Title: Re: Sun Damaged Plastic
Post by: frostype400 on April 22, 2013, 07:40:32 pm: Just depends how chalky it is if you can get a nice colour back by scraping not to much off with a stanley knife blade you might not be able to depending how badly faded it has been if you can get the colour back go through the sanding grades and polish it up otherwise you only choice is to sand back and prime and paint the better the piece is to start with the easier it is to get back to a good finish the worse you start with you have to do a lot more work for the same result if you can get it.

That is what I do anyway really good article on plastic restoration in this issue of vmx magazine.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VMX-Vintage-Motocross-Dirt-Bike-Magazine-Issue-33-/370429778870?pt=AU_Clothing_Merchandise_Media&hash=item563f55dbb6&_uhb=1
Title: Re: Sun Damaged Plastic
Post by: Doc on April 22, 2013, 07:50:10 pm: http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=18688.msg186518;topicseen#msg186518 (http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=18688.msg186518;topicseen#msg186518)
Title: Re: Sun Damaged Plastic
Post by: Toolboy on April 23, 2013, 07:44:15 am: Thanks for the links Frosty & Doc.

I will try the scraper and see what is underneath the chalky then go from there.

Appreciated

Tim
Title: Re: Sun Damaged Plastic
Post by: craignduke on April 23, 2013, 09:37:38 am: they usually become brittle
Title: Re: Sun Damaged Plastic
Post by: Toolboy on April 23, 2013, 10:14:42 am: Mine are not brittle just faded really bad, but glossy and shiny on the back and underneath stickers

Tim
Title: Re: Sun Damaged Plastic
Post by: Viper666 on April 23, 2013, 11:35:31 am: Scrape with a razor blade, perpendicular to the surface. (Right angle)

Will show up real quick.

Done all my old plastics this way. To start with. Then sandpaper (Various grits) finally steel wool & pain thinners. Top with plastic renew if you like.
Title: Re: Sun Damaged Plastic
Post by: cloggy on April 24, 2013, 05:16:08 am: What's a sun?
Title: Re: Sun Damaged Plastic
Post by: Hoony on April 24, 2013, 06:10:21 am: its that glowing yellowy thing that brings you poms out to rocky beaches when it gets about 8 degree Celcius :D
Title: Re: Sun Damaged Plastic
Post by: Mike52 on April 24, 2013, 07:11:54 am: Back of a hacksaw blade works fine too.
Title: Re: Sun Damaged Plastic
Post by: Toolboy on April 24, 2013, 08:06:43 am: Thanks guys,

I starting scraping away on a side fender yesterday and there is yellow underneath all that white :)

The way the first panel is looking so far its going to be worth the time an effort.

Only 6 more panels to scrape, sand and polish!!!! ::)

cheers

Tim
Title: Re: Sun Damaged Plastic
Post by: crash n bern on April 25, 2013, 03:25:50 pm: Sandblasing works well and is easier than scraping. Providing you have a home blaster.
Title: Re: Sun Damaged Plastic
Post by: PCMAX on April 25, 2013, 04:06:29 pm: When you finish rubbing it back try a product called "PC Plastic Renew" apply it after rubbing back with varying grades of wet & dry. It really brings back the luster. The sell it at MCAS for about $50 that will do about 10 bikes.
Title: Re: Sun Damaged Plastic
Post by: Toolboy on April 25, 2013, 04:16:18 pm: I dont have a sand blaster so just scraping away.

I have tried that plastic renew when i cleaned up my RM400N tank many years ago, didnt think much of it.

Was then put onto Novas Plastic Polish, 3 different grades of polish that work great once sanding was finished.

Cheers

Tim