Author Topic: Headlight bucket question  (Read 441 times)

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Offline Floshenbarnical

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Headlight bucket question
« on: August 27, 2024, 08:28:39 AM »
Hi! I just stripped, resurfaced the bucket and fixed a big crack with fiberglass. Painted it with duplicolor semi gloss black.

Looks great.

My question is, can I now fire the bucket in the oven for a half hour to cure the paint? Should only be like 250°. I’m worried that I’ll melt the bucket or something
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Offline Don R

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Re: Headlight bucket question
« Reply #1 on: August 27, 2024, 08:43:32 AM »
 I wouldn't, a body shop tried to bake my fiberglass dragster body, it went soft and flopped off of the stand. Maybe set it in the sun, although this week that might melt it too.
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
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Offline Floshenbarnical

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Re: Headlight bucket question
« Reply #2 on: August 27, 2024, 09:48:08 AM »
Good to know. How long will it need in the sun do you reckon
"All things change in a dynamic environment. Your effort to remain what you are is what limits you."

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Offline newday777

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Re: Headlight bucket question
« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2024, 02:18:00 PM »
I have heated ABS plastic in an oven to form shape it to do repairs. I don't remember what temp or time it took but it wasn't long. I've also heated it with a heat gun to form it.

The headlight bucket is made of ABS plastic.

This article doing a search says it begins to soften and deform at 176°F
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: Headlight bucket question
« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2024, 02:26:40 PM »
What does the can say? I find a week is usually enough for it to really set.

Offline jwurbel

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Re: Headlight bucket question
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2024, 02:48:33 PM »
You are lucky re: Duplicolor.  Have had repeated problems with their nozzles.  Maybe just my luck, but I avoid them.

Online Mark1976

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Re: Headlight bucket question
« Reply #6 on: August 27, 2024, 03:28:34 PM »
Hi! I just stripped, resurfaced the bucket and fixed a big crack with fiberglass. Painted it with duplicolor semi gloss black.

Looks great.

My question is, can I now fire the bucket in the oven for a half hour to cure the paint? Should only be like 250°. I’m worried that I’ll melt the bucket or something
It's a plastic headlight shell, not a cake or piece of pottery, as stated above, let it sit a few days to a week, it'll be fine.
Start with the end in mind...