is there any way to give new life to old plastic?

[MagicJames]

I just got a 85 tecate and the plastic has been painted over, is there any way to get all the old paint off and get some shine back out of the fenders?

[old-yellow]

Here's a link to a thread about restoring plastic.
http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=24247

[FourtyCaliber]

I'd follow the advice in the link above. But when I was doing a Google search on the same subject pretty much (I just sold a solid, all stock, NICE, 1980 CR250R that needed just the smallest amount of attention to a couple pea sized spots here and there on the original plastics), most of the information I came across stated that the "shiny" "new" plastic finish couldn't be replicated again on the plastics because it is done in the original molding process. It seems it is something the factory applies to the surface of the molds before the actual poring of the liquid plastic. In essence, the shine doesn't go all the way through. It's only on the outside. That's what I read.

In my own personal thoughts............I think there is a methodology of polishing that could be used to get close to that original factory shine. I haven't done it but it would involve a multi step polishing using subsequently finer and finer compounds and abrasives. But you would need high speed buffing equipment. Good stuff. Not the kind bought at Sears or Kmart. Even if it came out ok, it will never be like new. All polishing is nothing but creating finer and finer scratches anyway. That's why today's waxes and polishing compounds are improved because they got the abrasive size down to the "nano" size scale.

[MonroeMike]

Here's another link on the subject. Do a search, there is many.

http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=73033

[FourtyCaliber]

I guess what "I meant" to say was it is possible to get a really great shine back to the plastic, but it's not going to be "permanent". It will wear off from washing and such. You'll have to maintain it by redoing whatever it is you did to get it like that. The "factory" shine is "part" of the plastic and lasts indefinitely until the plastic get scratched or damaged in some other way from solvents or gas or something. Like I said, I haven't done it, but I've seen it, and I personally don't think it looks as good as new from the factory. I don't know the shone is "different". Like it's laying on the surface. But different strokes for different folks, I guess.

I didn't do it to repair the few extremely small areas on my CR because I was worried that it would not "match" the unworked areas on the plastic and I didn't want to do every square inch. So, I just left it as is. Battle scars. Man, if all the plastic on the trike or bike needed refinished, maybe the best bet would be just buy new plastic. That's my opinion.

Here's a link to others talking about their experience using the "Plastic Renew" stuff.

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-7632.html