Short of replacing......a lot of the plastics on my bike are looking old of faded. Especially the switches on the handlebars. Has anybody had any success in giving these an uplift.
Dull faded switch gear........any tips to tidy up?
- Thread starter Senslesssquid
- Start date
I use furniture Polish on mine..smells good too, if ever I get that close.
"Tip spray onto cloth then wipe over."
Silicone is more expensive and rain washes it back off.
"Tip spray onto cloth then wipe over."
Silicone is more expensive and rain washes it back off.
Some use a heat gun on the plastic, but care must be given as it may melt wires........or go to the further extent of removing all plastics from handlebars and switches then try with a heat gun.
Hair dryers wont do it.
Many youtube videos on using heat guns on plastic car bumpers to bring back sheen. To a good effect.
Hair dryers wont do it.
Many youtube videos on using heat guns on plastic car bumpers to bring back sheen. To a good effect.
I agree, for longer lasting nothing like new replacements. Gives your bike a lift as this is the face of the bike the parts you most see while sat on it.
Could check with bike breakers yards for better replacement examples at lower cost.
Bike restorers are your best source for advice.
Could check with bike breakers yards for better replacement examples at lower cost.
Bike restorers are your best source for advice.
I used a “ satin black” paint on my 1977 Kawasaki. It looked very authentic despite being brush applied.
Icky sticky ....mice will love it.
I swear by this Würth dye.Been using it years on me van and motorbike plastics,never fails to impress.
Whilst I agree it's not cheap,you really do get what you pay for and a little goes a long way.
Holy moly........£60 a tube! Might try a few other options before I make that commitmentI swear by this Würth dye.Been using it years on me van and motorbike plastics,never fails to impress.
Whilst I agree it's not cheap,you really do get what you pay for and a little goes a long way.
Ai is great, but I was interested in what real peoples experience was with the BMW switch gear. Given that most of these bikes are 20 plus years old.
Try boiled linseed oil. Available in most hardware shops, apply with a cloth.
Plastic switchgear, no matter what the make of bike, is plastic switchgear. All (most) plastics fade with age, so the ‘cure’ (cosmetic, temporary or otherwise) is pretty much the same. Anything from the judicious use of a heat gun (most often used on larger surfaces) through to the sometimes exotic dyes, it’s generally the same suggestions….. to which you can add the ‘real person’ tip of peanut butter, which probably benefits from the oily substance it contains.
There is / was certainly nothing magical about BMW’s switchgear plastics in 2006.
PS AI trawls ‘real experiences’. Follow the links it often throws up and / or dive around in generic ‘motorcycle detailing’ and other similar websites / videos.
I've heard about this. What do you buy linseed oil, then boil it yourself?
Erm.....might sound stupid...but hey ho
Ready cooked….
Or Bird Brand, for the bird brained
PS If you want to boil it yourself, be sure to ask to borrow a suitable saucepan.
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OP, that’s the one that AI recommended, drawing (because I mentioned motorcycles in the request) on the world’s ’For bikers’ accumulated wealth of knowledge in well under a second.
Now…. Get to B&Q for boiled linseed oil, Lidl for a budget tub of peanut butter, Waitrose for a can of Pledge or anywhere on the internet for a tube / can of the specialist restoring agent….. and report back on the efficacy of each in the short, medium and long term.
