How to restore your plastics: Share your ideas

[jenndnn3]

I would like everyone here who has repaired, fixed, and/or restored their plastics to please post how they went about it, anything goes. IFfyou bought new plastics, that is great, could you please share your cheapest spot or where to achieve plastics. I Would like to compile a list of anyway to fix plastics, and have it posted for a tech tip. Every way given to me will be posted and the person who has the fun job of picking their way can choose from the many ways of fixing, shining, glueing, zipty-ing, or buying their own plastics. Pictures would be awesome too. Once this thread is showing signs of no more ideas, I will put everyones idea's in a single format for the head honcho to list on his tech tip area so that people can use them in the future. Thx Jen

[rob0781]

you can weld plastic

[Troll]

We start by using a very h.d. steamcleaner powerwasher. Funny how much old haze and dark area it will take off.
Then comes the hard part. Sanding takes a long time, and often does'nt get out all the deep scratches. Start with the lightest grit possible, you dont want to create more work by going with too heavy of a paper.
I just hand wet-sand using a bucket of warm water and a hose. Just try to go in the same direction when possible.
We have also used a vibrating sander, trying to make things easier. Still not sure if it does or not.
After going to the finest paper, we use 00 to 000 steel wool to smooth. I've even tried using a buffer with a wool pad to help create and smooth finish.
Often even after lots of hard work going threw the steps, it will end up looking poor in the end. Funny how some fenders just wont clean up like others. Still dont worrie, the magic is in the final step. We use "mop and glow" floor wax for the coating prosess. It works great and last a long time. I use a almost felt like baby blanket material to apply. Just apply using long light even strokes. Let dry before re-coating. man that stuff really brings the color out. It shines good and wears fine. Plus you can reapply when needed.
New fenders cost alot, plus it doesnt take long before there scratched. I seem to have more time than money, so I sand and polish when possible.
As far as repairing cracks, I'll only use a thin strip of sheet metal on the underside of the plastic. Then drill and pop rivot with very small rivots. I've tried the other ways, but just doesnt seem to last..........................:thumbsup:
I sanded and polished my 350x project rear fenders. Heres a pic;

http://www.3wheeler.org/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=91228

[andee]

USUALLY YOU CAN GET BRAND-NEW ONES AT GOOD PRICES AT WWW.DENNISKIRK.COM OR WWW.CHAPARRAL-RACING.COM

[250rAL]

For Maier fenders that have a black number background(250R): take a black Magic Marker and color over the white border and logo on the sticker. It looks much closer to stock that way.

[thefox]

For cracks I have found that sheet metal and rivets work the best. I have treid to melt the plastic back together which works in areas that don't get much stress but in the areas that are more prone to cracking it doesn't hold up. I am trying to sand some really faded plastic now but have run into the problem of having stress marks underneath the faded plastic. Here is a before and half way done pic. of some 225 plastic I am working on.
http://www.3wheeler.org/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=85143

[Nuthinspecial]

I must be both cheap and lazy.....I look at dennis kirk's price for new maier, then I ebay it till I get a better deal on new maier. Only bad part about new maier that I don't like is that damn sticker they put on it! :thumbsup:

[Troll]

I hate those stickes too !! The glue is terrible to get off. I used very hot water and trans oil to get the glue off. Mobular tipped me to use the ols style lighter fluid. I used the fluid on a metal tank decal and it worked great !!

[jenndnn3]

Comet Cleaned these nonshiney maier fenders up.

[madmax]

Jenn, here's my .02

These were dull maier fenders that I spiffed up with plastic renew...

http://www.3wheeler.org/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11621

[jenndnn3]

You guys do great work. The fenders look great madmax.

Thefox can you keep taking picts of some of the dtial work and how you are going about it.

I see alot folks use plastic renew, Can you give me some how long it takes and what nots.

I will also put in what to do with stikcers If you all want.

Thxx so much Jen

[Dynofox]

I've had real good luck with plastic renew in the past. As for taking those maier decals off, peal them off and then spray the sticky stuff left on the fender with wd-40. Come back a few minutes later and it will come right off with a towel. To shine up my fenders and other parts on the trike after a wash I use that spray on tire foam. Spray it on the areas you want, let it sit for a min or 2 and then wipe it in. Works great but will wash right off so you'll need to re-do this after every wash.

[teddybear]

i usually just sand down and melt or (weld) back togtether but u can give ur plastics figure if u use zip-ties!...lol i did and it looked cool...gives it some personality..lol :headbang:

[chopsaw]

I use cheap rubbing compound and a dry Brillo pad . Has the soap on it , not just plain steel wool .