Topic: chemical engineer Q? answered is, abs sucks thanks.

[Don R]

 Is there anything that can be applied to dried out abs plastic to make it less brittle?  Asking because I just destroyed a K0 sidecover.  My sandcast has original covers on it.

[StockRider]

http://www.sdplastics.com/ultravioletresistance.html
"ABS is not suitable for outdoor applications because of its poor UV resistance.  Current UV stabilized grades refer only to color fastness not mechanical property retention."

https://www.rockauto.com/Newsletter/archives/62112.html#tomStory
"Boiled Plastic...", not going to help chemical breakdown of ABS by UV.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6981387/
"Influence of Different Stabilization Systems...."

[StockRider]

Below is a picture from the stabilization study. It cannot be related directly to virgin ABS but none-the-less, you can see the impact of UV.

[Don R]

 I've had two K0's that the sidecovers just crumbled off of. I'm a big fan of FB's replacements but have two originals with nice paint. Scares me to mess with them, new grommets and silicone lube.

[Don R]

 The moral of the story is keep them out of the sun and tanning beds. Nothing I do will help except babying them.  Skin so soft bath oil works on vinyl, I thought I might try that except for the fear that it will soak through and let the paint come off. 

[69cb750]

Is there anything that can be applied to dried out abs plastic to make it less brittle?  Asking because I just destroyed a K0 sidecover.  My sandcast has original covers on it.

No, abs gets brittle with age, nothing can be done.
Yamiya covers are very nice.

[bryanj]

UK firm LPM make superb repros, its what Silver sells

[StockRider]

https://www.beastauto.com/best-car-wax-for-uv-protection/
"Sunscreen" and protection from extreme temperature cycles are about the only hope for old ABS parts.

[kerryb]

https://www.beastauto.com/best-car-wax-for-uv-protection/
"Sunscreen" and protection from extreme temperature cycles are about the only hope for old ABS parts.

Does that mean I shouldn't store my abs items in the cold attic during the winter?  Temps get down to below zero F sometimes.
Conversely, sometimes the summer temps get be 115 F in the summer.

[Don R]

 I'm the #1 fan of FB-stuff sidecovers,  When I'm painting that's what I use. I just worry about the original Honda sandcast's sidecovers. One was NOS 12 years ago but the other one came on the bike.   

[scottly]

https://www.beastauto.com/best-car-wax-for-uv-protection/
"Sunscreen" and protection from extreme temperature cycles are about the only hope for old ABS parts.

Since the covers are painted, there shouldn't be a need for sunscreen UV protection.

[Don R]

  A couple years ago I found myself on a long straight road with no intersections and a good view of empty fields on both sides of the road. I ran the old sandy up to 95 indicated, I was mostly worried about blowing a sidecover off. L0L!

[brewsky]

  I was mostly worried about blowing a sidecover off. L0L!

I have lost 2 right sides off my '78 on the interstate......passing a semi will suck them right off!

Finally bought new grommets, so now all I have to worry about is breaking the tits off when removing them!