Restoring faded Handle bar cover

[Jsullynz]

Got a 96 GTX handle bar cover that has faded a bit just wondering if anybody has successfully restored one.....

 

[LouDoo]

While I haven't successfully restored one, I did paint one seems to be holding up fine. I used Krylon Fusion paint. Be sure the surface is prepped well before you paint it. I used the same paint on the gauge cover.

Lou

 

[Spimothy Leary]

a heat gun might save it,
paint definitely will, and krylon holds up pretty well, i'm a big fan of krylon spray cans !

also I think watercraftsuperstore has fabric covers for cheap that will cover it.

 

[mikidymac]

+1 on the heat gun. Looks like new. BTW this only works on the hard plastic covers, it will not work on the older rubber ones or the soft chin pad.

 

[Jsullynz]

a heat gun might save it,
paint definitely will, and krylon holds up pretty well, i'm a big fan of krylon spray cans !

also I think watercraftsuperstore has fabric covers for cheap that will cover it.

Thanks so much all for your replys but the heat gun Mr Leary worked a treat would not have thought of that one myself.......

 

[S_eadoo]

Please explain the heat gun solution. How does that work? Will it damage the plastic?

 

[Dr Honda]

Please explain the heat gun solution. How does that work? Will it damage the plastic?

Yes... it can damage if you overheat it.

The thing with the heat is this.....

When a plastic part fades... it's normally just the surface. So, if you are careful, you can heat the surface, and melt it. When that happens, the color will come back. But its a fine line between good and bad.

 

[Jsullynz]

Please explain the heat gun solution. How does that work? Will it damage the plastic?

It will damage it if you heat it to fast too long in one area . i gently heated the area with the gun i looked on at an angle and you can see the plastic start to darken it starts to look a little wet then move to another area keep the gun moving. It sort of regenerates the plastic i think. Once cool i hit hard with some polish and now it is green and shiny

 

[Spimothy Leary]

Yes... it can damage if you overheat it.

The thing with the heat is this.....

When a plastic part fades... it's normally just the surface. So, if you are careful, you can heat the surface, and melt it. When that happens, the color will come back. But its a fine line between good and bad.

It will damage it if you heat it to fast too long in one area . i gently heated the area with the gun i looked on at an angle and you can see the plastic start to darken it starts to look a little wet then move to another area keep the gun moving. It sort of regenerates the plastic i think. Once cool i hit hard with some polish and now it is green and shiny

yes and yes, the key is to keep it moving and not too close to the plastic, or it will look all splotchy ! the second you see it start to shine up and look wet then stay away from that area ! It also works well for things like the rub rail corners that get all faded & grey.

 

[JPX]

Try using Mr. Clean Magic Erasers and work in circles slightly dampened. This worked well for me on removing the white stuff from the rubberized cover.

 

[mikidymac]

Wow! That looks like new JPX. I see in your signature it says 1996 GSX but the picture is of a 1997? What's up with that?