Topic: How To Get n Keep Shiny Black Airbox?

[jaknight]

Airbox On '74 750 K4....

   ..... or any other K series 750 bike.

   The black plastic(?) fades and loses its shiny black color.
Usually turns a dull charcoal / gray color.

   I have heard of guys trying shiny black aircraft paint,
Kiwi Black Polish, even Armorall.  Nothing seems to last
according to what was said the most recent time I
looked into this.  Anybody find anything that will restore
the shiny black look and stay that way?

   I would love to hear about it.  I just don't want to spend
the money for a new air box and have it turn dull and
fade out again as they always do.

   ***jaknight***

[Dimitri13]

If it doesn't last, just reapply. I use Mothers Back To Black on all my black plastic pieces though.

[MoMo]

Rustoleum makes a gloss black plastic spray paint.  Have not tried it but it has potential...Larry

[Markcb750]

I used clear gloss fusion paint for plastic on a thoroughly cleaned airbox.  It has held up pretty well for 3 years.

[K5owner]

+1 with Mark's suggestion.

I wet sanded most of the scratches out and finished with 2000 grit, then use the Fusion Clear paint (available at most hardware stores. Make sure you really clean the plastic if you've used ArmorAll or any plastic/vinyl protectant.

[Sawdust723]

+2 on marks suggestion

[grcamna2]

If it doesn't last, just reapply. I use Mothers Back To Black on all my black plastic pieces though.

+1...I know that lot's of different products will make the Original finish of the black plastic on the airbox look great..I've never tried the Mothers Back to Black, but will now that I know about it; I don't mind reapplying it once in a while.I could paint it...but as many times as I would have to remove the carbs I don't think it would be as durable as the Original finish.

[CycleRanger]

I've used the Mother's back to black.  Works well but may need a repeated application on badly faded/oxidized plastic.
Also needs a couple of days to "dry" between coats (it never really "dries" per se) then wipe it down again with a clean, lint-free rag again.  Seems to hold up ok.  Also, it only works on "raw", unpainted plastic.
Also, I don't know what's in it but I'd wear gloves when you apply it.

[Johnie]

Someone on this board said to use peanut oil. I tried it and was suprised at how nice it did. Made my hungry for some cashews too. 

[SohRon]

Back to Black, as I've said before, is like Flitz for plastic. Here's an inner fender and chaincase treated with the stuff





It's fairly long lasting; I did the fender over a year ago and it's looking pretty good still (it's been kept out of the elements, though).

[grcamna2]

It leaves a deep gloss that's for sure..is it slippery to the touch like one product that I remember using in the past ??

[CycleRanger]

It leaves a deep gloss that's for sure..is it slippery to the touch like one product that I remember using in the past ??

yeah, it stays slick for some time.  I did the tail light on XL over a month ago and it's still pretty slick but it's been cool here.  I've wiped it down a couple of times but I put it on pretty heavy.

[Really?]

No need for paint.  Tried the peanut oil, it just made it oily for me.  Back to black has always been iffy for me.

If you are looking to bring a nice gloss back to plastic, you will want to use the Novus products.  Deep scratches may requires some sanding if Stage 3 is not cutting it enough.  I have had to sand down to a 2000 grit and do Stage 3, then Stage two and then Stage 1.

Not the greatest example I have for pics but it will give you the idea.  A 31 year old front YZ fender.

[wildcatmahone]

Haven't tried it on my wheel yet but you can actually buff plastics like you would metal using the correct compound. Appears to be the correct and longest lasting treatment of old plastic rather than those overpriced auto store products. Look into it...
http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/stringbuffs.html

Best of luck.

[Teknojeffo]

+2 on peanut oil.  Still shiny and black many months later.