Spark plug covers fading

[Engineer]

Noticed this first on my 2015 GS TE and now my 2018 GS Rallye TE has started to do the same - didn’t happen on my earlier 1200 GSes as far as I can remember.

I think the material may have changed to some sort of harder grade plastic???? it’s as if washing the bike causes the black pigment to leech out and they are more dark grey now instead of black. It doesn’t appear to be UV damage.

Nothing a bit of back-to-black doesn’t solve until the next wash, but I’m curious.

 

[edzt]

I blame Brexit

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Noticed this first on my 2015 GS TE and now my 2018 GS Rallye TE has started to do the same - didn’t happen on my earlier 1200 GSes as far as I can remember.

I think the material may have changed to some sort of harder grade plastic???? it’s as if washing the bike causes the black pigment to leech out and they are more dark grey now instead of black. It doesn’t appear to be UV damage.

Nothing a bit of back-to-black doesn’t solve until the next wash, but I’m curious.

He is off again

 

[Warlord]

Vinyl and Rubber Care from AutoGlym

That'll sort it.

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Vinyl and Rubber Care from the Gnarley bar

That'll sort him.

Slightly fixed..............

 

[andylel]

Vinyl and Rubber Care from AutoGlym

That'll sort it.

This is good stuff but temporary in nature. I have used G-techniq permanent trim restorer and that pretty much does what it says on the bottle in my experience.

 

[Victor c]

Mine have been fine. But if I had issues, I would simply spray with something like Plastikote.

 

[Homer]

I'm losing the will to live.

 

[Santa-2512]

Peanut butter

I'm not joking, dolop on some PB and work into the part, wipe off and buff

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ahum5cvLyXM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[steadysteve]

Autoglym Trim and Bumper Care will fettle that problem. Brilliant stuff for faded bumpers, trim....and spark plug covers.
The Vinyl and Rubber Care is also very good for large areas such as vario panniers.

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Peanut butter

I'm not joking, dolop on some PB and work into the part, wipe off and buff

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ahum5cvLyXM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Imagine if he has peanut allergy....................

 

[andylel]

Peanut butter

I'm not joking, dolop on some PB and work into the part, wipe off and buff

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ahum5cvLyXM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

It’s all the palm oil in it!

 

[CPJS]

Will crunchy peanut butter be ok ?

 

[Mr Bean]

Nothing a bit of back-to-black doesn’t solve until the next wash, but I’m curious.

Silicone oil lasts much longer - and is relatively cheap.

As a bonus stops it will stop folding shower screens from squeaking...

 

[Engineer]

There are many ways of getting it back to black - the question is why does it only happen on the newer bikes, my 2005, 2010 and 2013 bikes never had this happen, my 2018 bike is 1 only year old and just coming up to 10,000 miles - something has changed, what is it?

 

[Engineer]

Silicone oil lasts much longer - and is relatively cheap.

As a bonus stops it will stop folding shower screens from squeaking...

Why do you have a folding shower screen on your bike?

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

There are many ways of getting it back to black ?

Only one way

 

[Mr Bean]

Why do you have a folding shower screen on your bike?

I like to stay dry..

 

[Mr Bean]

my 2005, 2010 and 2013 bikes never had this happen,

My '63 plate had the same 'greying'

 

[Santa-2512]

There are many ways of getting it back to black - the question is why does it only happen on the newer bikes, my 2005, 2010 and 2013 bikes never had this happen, my 2018 bike is 1 only year old and just coming up to 10,000 miles - something has changed, what is it?

The ingrediants of the plastic

Depending on what material the part is made from PP ABS ABSPC etc all have had changes made to to the pigments / polymers to make them easier to use / cheaper / eco friendly

The downside is that the colour stability / UV fading is less than before, but lets face it , who goes back to an oem after 10 years to complain about fading

Its a trade off between colour stability and material longevity / rigidity