Handle Bar Cover - Faded Black Fixes?

[SabrToothSqrl]

I have a ski with black handlebar covers, they are approx $60 online + shipping.

In my Jeep world, we have fenders made of a very similar black plastic, that fades from the sun over time. We take a heat gun to the fenders and make them look brand new in minutes.

Has anyone tried this or a product that actually 1. works 2. lasts.

I want the handlebar cover back to black without replacing a working part.

It's cosmetic, but hey, it's also my money.

Post your working ideas to get the cover back to black for less $ than replacement.

 

[ocod]

SBT has a neoprene cover for the handlebars in black for xp
If its the plastic hood then yes I did heat gun trick and it works just fine. just to leave it in one spot to long.
Dr Honda tried zippo lighter fluid to get the black mold spots off handle bar cover. Could try that??

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

I want OEM or a new look for mine, but the covers may work for someone else.

Part :277000833 is what I'm referring to, it's black on my ski, but I've seen purple / green I think as well. Maybe yellow too.

 

[ocod]

yep i read about the OEM thing
somethings are just made better.

 

[jack11]

try Mr Clean magic eraser

 

[Sink]

You might try back to black. I haven't tried it but I've heard it works well.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

I've heard of people using that on Jeep fenders as well. I just bid $35 on a new cover, so we shall see... $35 isn't bad and i can sell the old or keep it as spare.

My concern with the back to black, and similar products is, do I have to keep re-applying it? I'd like a more permanent solution as my skis are garage kept / covered when not in use... so they should never fade...

 

[Dr Honda]

Jeep flairs are urethane... and the handlebar cover is vinyl. If you use heat on the cover... you will melt it. If it's faded... or nasty... just replace it.

Now... if it's not gummy, and you just want to remove mildew... Zippo lighter fluid works great.

 

[Mgiffune]

Not to hijack this thread, but what about the hood cover? Was thinking about trying a heat gun to restore a faded yellow. Possible?

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

I think you have to define hood cover, so we know what the material is.

I ordered a new handlebar cover on ebay... $47 + shipping.

 

[Mgiffune]

On a X4 type hull, the cover with the gauge's and mirror's in it.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

I think that's just plastic... I'd look up something to restore the shine to plastic.

 

[Dugout]

You could try this. I haven't tried this but a couple of friends used it on boat seats.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...Color_Bond_12_oz&str=vinyl+paint&merchID=4005

 

[LouDoo]

I'm not sure what ski you are doing, but if the handlebar cover is hard plastic, with a cushion you can paint it with Krylon Fusion, it's in a spray can and specifically for plastic. If it's urethane probably not. You can definitely use it on the plastic gauge cover. I did both on my 96GSX it looks great, it's the one on my avatar.

BTW, Dr Honda did the graphics.

Lou

 

[Mgiffune]

Wow, that looks great Lou. I'll definitely be looking into that.

 

[Dr Honda]

Yep... paint it. And if you need a new sticker... shoot me a PM. (I made the one on Lou's hood)

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

My new one comes Tuesday.

 

[Mgiffune]

Yep... paint it. And if you need a new sticker... shoot me a PM. (I made the one on Lou's hood)

I'll definitely be hitting you up for some of those stickers Tony!

 

[mattydipps]

What ever you do DON'T I repeat DO NOT powerwash it what so ever haha I made that stupid rookie mistake when I first got my ski and now there's all gashes in it hahaha

 

[Mgiffune]

Concentrated Simple Green and a Scotch Bright pad worked wonders on that yellow cowling cover. Took a lot of the discoloration off and returned it to the original color. Not a fast process, lots of elbow grease, but it's coming out almost better than I had hoped.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Matty - You can power wash it but as with any thing you PW you must be careful of the spray width. The narrower you make it the more it will dig. Start wide then get a bit closer if the dirt isn't coming off.

Wear shoes, goggles and gloves...I've heard of stories with higher powered washers (over 9HP) that people have cut off their toes with the spray nozzle.

 

[LouDoo]

Do NOT power wash the handlebar cover, you'll damage it beyond repair. In fact I wouldn't power wash anything on the ski, it's going to do more damage than good.

Lou

 

[crisso]

:agree:
I have used them to get barnicles off large boats.Yes.That is a big machine but they all work very well.They will strip paint with the correct nozzle.They'll blast your shadow of the ground with enough pressure.Just go very easy

 

[Jetskigoodies]

I have become an expert at reviving these sun faded hulls just check out the pictures. This hood was the worst hood I have come across and i got it to look brand new. I did the right half of the xp and left the left half untouched to show how dramatic the difference was. I think i could start a hull detailing business lol. a lot of elbow grease $12 in marine grade vinyl and looks like new

 

[Jetskigoodies]

I have cleaned the hoods and painted them, I have tried spray paint but it seems to flake and just not that appealing, so went to automotive plastic paint added a flexing agent then topcoat lots of clear coat. It also need alot of prep work. My avatar picture has the painted hood it has held up for 3 yrs and no chips or cracks in the paint. The xp hood took about 2 hours to clean after i took it apart so i could get behind the mirrors and gauges and all the little creases