James Albert is a dirt biker for about 6 years with a passion for helping others get into the sport without knowing anything. He shares...Read more
Restore plastics and get your dirt bike back with a new-like look! Though it sounds surprising, you can do it yourself at home. I have recently restored my XR250 dirt bike’s plastics to make them showroom shiny. Furthermore, it has made a great save to replace.
However, dirt bike plastic restoration is a sophisticated job. It involves trusted tactics and tools to complete the project. Otherwise, it can decay the decent graphics and designs. Don’t worry! Hunt how to restore dirt bike plastics step by step. It is all about a real-life dirt bike plastic restoration. Keep continuing!
Can You Get Scratches Out Of Dirt Bike Plastics?
Take a break to delete scratches from your dirt bike’s fenders and plastic kits. You can add a scratch-free showroom-shiny look to the old and faded plastics. The fork guards, number plates, radiator shrouds, and side panels look virgin after cleaning deep scratches.
You can wipe scratches away; even your dirt bike plastics look like that. I hope you aren’t happy to ride more with such fenders. I apply multiple methods to keep my dirt bike plastics scratch-free and new-looking. I initially used toothpaste and nail polish removers to expel the mild scratches.
Besides, the micro-grit sandpaper works well in removing deep scratches. So you can have a new look for your dirt bike with scratch-free plastics. However, try to trace and transfer scratches regularly while riding a shiny dirt bike.
How To Restore Dirt Bike Plastics? Step By Step Methods!
Dirt bike plastics are susceptible to scratches due to driving fashions and routes. And we pay less attention to the gradual development of scrapes over the fenders, side panels, and fork guards. In consequence, the mild scratches turn into sad figures.
I don’t know how you fix the scratches from your dirt bike plastics. However, I apply multiple methods to work with strenuous DIY projects. Let’s find out my ways to restore dirt bike plastics step by step. I hope you are close to having a clean and bright bike.
1. Anatomizing Scratches
The first step to restoring the dirt bike plastics is the scrutinizing scratches gripped over the fenders and plastic kits. You need to anatomize the depth and intensity of the scratches. I usually use my fingernails to detect the scratched edges on the plastic surface.
If the scratches don’t clip your nails, they are mild and treatable with mild abrasives like toothpaste and baking soda. When your nails hook, the scratches seem deeper and removable with super-fine sandpaper.
Tools & Equipment: fingernails, soft clothes, and brushes
2. 3W-Warm Water Washing
My dirt bike plastics were almost ten years old. Therefore, I didn’t miss washing the fenders and others in warm soap water. It softens the surfaces to rub out the scratches. And it makes the total task easier than ever.
Detach all the fittings and fixtures before bathing the plastic kits in warm water. And don’t forget to remove the textured stickers while washing your dirt bike plastics. You can rinse plastic parts for 30 minutes maximum or more. Dry it later.
Tools & Equipment: soft soap, warm water, and drier
3. Pulling Blade
Here, the main job starts with pulling a blade on the scratchy plastics: fenders, fork guards, side panels, etc. You need a razor blade to start scraping faded fenders and scratchy plastics.
Pulling a blade is an effective way to restore dirt bike plastics. However, it requires intense patience and active attention. You must scrap on the fender to the vertical angle. The fender contour is more challenging for scraping. It takes more time, labor, and patience. Otherwise, it can leave fresh scratches on the plastics. So, take time to get brighter plastics.
Tools & Equipment: razor-edge blade & sandpaper
4. Using Sandpaper
I have had an incredible result restoring my dirt bike plastics through sanding after scrapping. Though it was a boring and repetitive job, it made my dirt bike brilliantly bright and glossy. I used 120-grit wet & dry sandpaper for my blade-pulled fenders.
If you don’t previously pull blades on the plastics, the 60-grit or 80-grit sandpapers are ideal for sanding. There is no directional restriction in using the sandpaper. You can thoroughly continue your job clockwise or anti-clockwise.
However, don’t forget to wet the sanding layer to avoid abrasive scratches. I sprayed water through continuous triggering. It looks smart and pretty handy. If you don’t prefer this, you can keep a bowl of water beside to dip sandpaper frequently. Now, it’s your choice!
Tools & Equipment: 60/80/120-grit sandpapers and water
5. Polishing Part
Now we are at the final and crucial stage of restoring the dirt bike plastics. You must be more careful with your job in the polishing part. Take alcohol on a cloth and smear gently on the plastics. Wait for a while and let the surface dry. It works amazingly to polish the plastics.
You can bring your polishing job to the next level using a heat gun. Roll the gun face over the surface at a safer distance. It offers a dazzling appearance of dirt bike plastics. And the restoration is almost done with all new-like plastics.
Tools & Equipment: alcohol, clean cloth, and heat gun
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)!
Hey guys! DIY dirt bike plastic restoration isn’t rocket science but a sophisticated job. It involves expert knowledge and expertise to make the project successful. Let’s learn more for better restoration results.
Does Wd-40 Restore Plastics?
The WD-40 is a multi-use silicone lubricant that works great in restoring torn-faded plastics. It brings the plastic surface back to its original conditions. You can use it to clean the most plastic surface including the dirt bike and car plastics. It offers an excellent restoration.
Though it works great with most plastic surfaces, there are a few limitations to use.
- Polycarbonate Plastics
- Polystyrene Surfaces
- DVD Cases and
- Baby Bottles
So, spray and scrub plastic surfaces for the finest and brightest look. It can be an effective plastic restorer for DIY restoration projects at home or outdoor.
Can I Restore Faded Plastics?
Plastic products lose their original colors over time due to different reasons. And fading is an ultimate result of oxidation. It makes the textures tougher and leads them to wear down. If you love DIY engineering, you can restore your daily used faded plastic products.
- Use sandpaper with soapy water to wipe the faded layer from your hard plastic items.
- The vinegar and water solution can be a great fad restorer for vinyl plastics.
- Never mind using detergent, bleach, and cleaner to recover soft plastic products. And
- Sharp blade pulling works great to restore faded fenders of the dirt bikes.
Therefore, with very few exceptions, you can restore the faded plastics used in daily households and outdoors. It is a cost-effective way of regaining the lost items indeed.
How Do You Shine Dirt Bike Plastics?
A dirt bike loses its original color and glossy textures over time. Dirt, mud, scratches, and heat hunt your bike’s showroom-shiny appearance. I was also thoughtful to regain the sheeny sight of my XR250 dirt bike. I have finally restored my bike’s shine.
- Dipping into warm-water and soft-soap solution
- Pulling scratches and fad layers away with a razor blade.
- Smearing plastics with alcohol. and
- Polishing with the heat gun.
You get back your 10 or 20-years old messy and scratchy dirt bike plastics to their new-like look with the DIY shining steps. So, you can have a new-like look of the original plastics.
Does Vaseline Restore Plastics?
Vaseline is versatile, from soothing skin to removing plastic scratches. It works great to eliminate small scratches from dirt bike plastics, car dashboards, and household gadgets. You can use Vaseline as DIY equipment to vanish faded effects and mild scratches.
So, a dab of Vaseline can assist you in dispelling scratches and restoring old plastics. However, don’t use Vaseline on highly abrasive plastic surfaces to avoid further damage.
Final Words!
I hope you are happy to find the best possible solutions to restore your dirt bike at home. Like you, I moved heaven and earth to get the original shine and appearance of my XR250 dirt bike back. And I have successfully done it by myself.
You will enjoy the new-like feeling on your old dirt bike. It offers you no more excuses for a faded and scratched look. Moreover, restoration takes time but saves time. However, don’t be whimsical in restoring your dirt bike. Follow the steps with caution and patience to regain the lost luster.
James Albert is a dirt biker for about 6 years with a passion for helping others get into the sport without knowing anything. He shares his expertise and reviews dirt bikes and related tools.
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