Topic: Don't use paint stripper on headlight shell (probably side covers too)

[Garage_guy_chris]

I had some misfortune today trying to clean up an old headlight bucket. Initially i used a methylene chloride based stripper and it really softened up the plastic, i tried a milder citrus stripper and it was better but still softened up the plastic. I suspect original side covers may suffer the same fate, but Im not sure because i have never seen an original one and am not familiar with the material.

Anyways just a heads up so no one screws up any parts.

[LesterPiglet]

Never use stripper on any plastic. It's not needed anyway. You only need to strip paint to clean up rust really. I've never completely stripped the paint of anything to repaint. Primer covers it.

[Retro Rocket]

If you do it quickly, use some spray paint thinners on a cloth and just wipe off the old paint, like I said, do it quickly and you won't hurt the plastic...

[fendersrule]

Yep. I've used Lacquer thinner (or was my Acetone?) to clean out some over spray in my bucket, but it was distributed on my rag first and then wiped and dried quickly.

[NobleHops]

Thank you for sharing your hard-won lesson. I might have tried that, not thinking, and you may have saved me and others from  also learning it the hard way. Much appreciated.

[Geeto67]

There are plastic safe paint stripers. I forget the brand but I used to buy the stuff when I was really into plastic car models. I would buy unfinished badly painted discontinued kits and soak them in this stuff I bought mail order.

I have heard simple green and purple power do the same thing, but if you leave the plastic in too long it can damage it. Someone recommended something called Dettol (which is a household disinfectant) to me as plastic safe.

[LesterPiglet]

Heheh, Dettol. Antiseptic disinfectant. Used it on many cuts and grazes. I didn't think it had automotive uses.

http://www.boots.com/en/Dettol-Antiseptic-and-Disinfectant-Liquid---250ml_12228/?CAWELAID=334483340&cm_mmc=pla-_-google-_-PLAs-_-PLAs+-+All+Products&kw={keyword}&cagpspn=pla

[MoMo]

Geeto67 is right on the mark.  I do not know the brand either but I do know plastic safe strippers exist, most likely source would be a shop the supplies to body and fender shops. ...Larry

[flybox1]

Never use stripper on any plastic. It's not needed anyway.

+1
scuff. prime. sand. paint.

[PeWe]

.... Initially i used a methylene chloride based stripper........

That's really good stuff no longer available. Methylene chloride probably not allowed due to ozone layer or...?

That attacked 2 component glue, paint very quick. Bare metal within minutes....sometimes seconds...
30 years ago I had access to it at my job. I brought home a liter or two when needed.

Same with Hermetite Golden, very good sealer for crank case, o-rings, under cam towers. It had the good stuff Methylene chloride.

Headlight buckets are for sale, not that much money. CB750 has chromed version too, not only OEM Black. K0-K1 have same color as the tank, side covers.

[TwoTired]

Never use stripper on any plastic. It's not needed anyway.

+1
scuff. prime. sand. paint.

+2    Stripper not needed or desired for motorcycle plastic parts.  Layers of well adhered paint actually make a very good under base, particularly for UV resistance.

But, that usually won't stop people from doing it anyway.
The plastic in this case is ABS  or  Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

You can find what chemicals it is resistant too here:
http://www.rtpcompany.com/technical-info/chemical-resistance/
Or Here:
http://www.coleparmer.com/Chemical-Resistance?referred_id=11033&mkwid=sJFDnHw4J&pcrid=12430988319&kw=%2Bchemical%20%2Bresistance%20chart&mt=b&pdv=c&gclid=CM3m4sPC6rwCFYlafgodb3wAMg

Or, you can do a google search for ABS plastic paint stripper.

[alacrity]

i have a friend who dated a plastic Stripper for a while. Emptied his wallet and his heart.

[Geeto67]

Never use stripper on any plastic. It's not needed anyway.

+1
scuff. prime. sand. paint.

+2    Stripper not needed or desired for motorcycle plastic parts.  Layers of well adhered paint actually make a very good under base, particularly for UV resistance.

That may work for a plastic part with three or less layers on it but I have side covers in my sidecover bin with paint so think on them that I think it is actually thicker than the plastic itself. I have headlight shells to match. Plus what if you are doing a restoration and you are worried about sanding off the extruded plastic parts numbers and mold marks some of the headlight shells have (side covers usually have an inkstamped part number on the back side if they are a replacement part)? Again, there is a tool for every job and sometimes that is sanding and sometimes it's throwing the part in a tub to to soak in chemical for 24 hours.

[flybox1]

i have a friend who dated a plastic Stripper for a while. Emptied his wallet and his heart.

ALL plastic, or just certain parts of her were? 

[LesterPiglet]

Who paints the back of a plastic part that was unpainted in the first place?
If you use a paint stripper those small prominent parts will be the easiest and first to be melted.

[Geeto67]

Who paints the back of a plastic part that was unpainted in the first place?

The same people who paint the underside of tanks when doing a custom paint job. Some do it, some don't.

[MoMo]

i have a friend who dated a plastic Stripper for a while. Emptied his wallet and his heart.

ALL plastic, or just certain parts of her were? 

"plastic fantastic lover"  The Airplane