Faded plastics restoration

[DKW]

Anyone ever tried the "boiled linseed oil and paint thinner" trick to restore faded plastics? Just wondering about long term.

[Frank Angerano]

I have and it didn’t work out very well. 

I tried a heat gun and that worked ok but it  was a lot of work and if you get to close it will bubble. The heat restores the color, it’s spotty but like I said it’s a pain in the as*.  

 

[DKW]

That's what I was thinking someone would say. Too good to be true. Mine don't have a lot of oxidation but i bet the heat gun would work. Thanks for the info.

[MtBob]

ATV plastic is a wear item.Up to 5 different kinds on ATV's.UV kills it.Sometimes sanding and painting is better,just like a car bumper.The linseed concoction,same as wd40,is the same,as on plastic headlights that have clouded over,it may work fine,but,for a short time.

[DKW]

Thanks for the input.

[Arby911]

I just scuff and repaint. Why work harder than you need to. 

[ericmaruba]

@Arby911 If the plastic is the same color all the way through why would you need to paint? Can you just finely sand it and add a clear coat of some sort?

[Frank Angerano]

You can actually clear coat. I’ve been experimenting with a special chemical called 222 by DuPont. Body shops have been using it for years.  What it does: you water sand the plastics with a 2000 grit sandpaper and wash and dry the plastics.  Then you spray this 222 “mid coat adhesion” on the plastics and then a clear coat.   The mid coat does two things.   

1. It’s completely flexible so no cracking and is made specifically for the rubber and plastic bumper parts on cars. 

2. It allows the clear coat to stick reallly well and makes the clear coat flexible as well.  

Im waiting on the right bike to try it on or a faded free piece of atv faded plastic to experiment on. 

You do need a spray gun however.  

[ericmaruba]

@Frank Angerano Do you know where to get this 222 Dupont online? I was thinking car plastics are very common and if you wax them they last very long. I figured with a good clear coat on ATV plastic and a nice wax right after the ATV will be like new... 😁

[Frank Angerano]

You can get it at any auto body paint supply shop.  Its in a square can.  

So you have to follow the directions or ask Any local body shop and they will tell you how to use it.   It’s sprayed on and then the clear coat.  You can also add a little to the clear coat for flexibility. Use a  DuPont clear coat as well.  I can’t wait to try it.  

[ericmaruba]

im going to try and let you know. Thanks

[out-there]

Thanks for the tips

[Arby911]

On 1/15/2019 at 7:04 PM, ericmaruba said:

@Arby911 If the plastic is the same color all the way through why would you need to paint? Can you just finely sand it and add a clear coat of some sort?

Agreed, but I like to change color depending on my mood, and paint is the cheapest way to get that done.

[Frank Angerano]

If you do know someone in a body shop you can sand and prep the plastics yourself and just have them shoot it in a booth.  They come out great.   

[DKW]

You guys are a fountain of really good information! thank you for that! after a good power washing and "welding" the cracks back together it didn't turn out too bad. This thing has been kept under cover when not in use its entire life and therefor has no oxidation. Iv decided to leave it with its patina for now.