Author Topic: How To Get n Keep Shiny Black Airbox?  (Read 2906 times)

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Offline jaknight

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How To Get n Keep Shiny Black Airbox?
« on: January 28, 2012, 11:22:40 PM »
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***
"THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD........
..........EXCEPT IN A SWORD FIGHT"
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Offline Dimitri13

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Re: How To Get n Keep Shiny Black Airbox?
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2012, 11:56:10 PM »
If it doesn't last, just reapply. I use Mothers Back To Black on all my black plastic pieces though.

Offline MoMo

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Re: How To Get n Keep Shiny Black Airbox?
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2012, 12:24:07 AM »
Rustoleum makes a gloss black plastic spray paint.  Have not tried it but it has potential...Larry

Markcb750

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Re: How To Get n Keep Shiny Black Airbox?
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2012, 01:44:40 AM »
I used clear gloss fusion paint for plastic on a thoroughly cleaned airbox.  It has held up pretty well for 3 years.

Offline K5owner

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Re: How To Get n Keep Shiny Black Airbox?
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2012, 03:57:08 AM »
+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.

-Ray
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Remembering the past...   Livn' the dream

1975 Honda CB750 K5, Restored Aug/2011
1971 Honda CB175 K5, next project
1977 Honda CT70, swap meet scooter
2004 Honda NRX1800 (Rune), Cruiser
1977 Honda GL1000, daily driver

Offline Sawdust723

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Re: How To Get n Keep Shiny Black Airbox?
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2012, 04:43:08 AM »
+2 on marks suggestion
1974-77 cb750ish
1971 cb350 twin

Offline grcamna2

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Re: How To Get n Keep Shiny Black Airbox?
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2012, 05:47:09 AM »
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.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline CycleRanger

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Re: How To Get n Keep Shiny Black Airbox?
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2012, 10:04:18 AM »
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.
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T

Offline Johnie

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Re: How To Get n Keep Shiny Black Airbox?
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2012, 10:19:34 AM »
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.  ;D
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline SohRon

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Re: How To Get n Keep Shiny Black Airbox?
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2012, 10:24:36 AM »
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).
« Last Edit: January 29, 2012, 10:26:19 AM by SohRon »
"He slipped back down the alley with some roly-poly little bat-faced girl..."

Assembling my '74 CB550: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=86697.0
Assembly of the Right-hand Switch (a rebuilder's guide):  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=80532.0
Installing stock 4X4 exhaust: CB500-CB550 K: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=82323.0
CB550 Assembly Manual: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.0.html

Offline grcamna2

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Re: How To Get n Keep Shiny Black Airbox?
« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2012, 11:56:52 AM »
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 ??
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline CycleRanger

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Re: How To Get n Keep Shiny Black Airbox?
« Reply #11 on: January 29, 2012, 12:11:13 PM »
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.
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T

Offline Really?

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Re: How To Get n Keep Shiny Black Airbox?
« Reply #12 on: January 29, 2012, 12:33:17 PM »
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.




I don't have a motorcycle, sold it ('85 Yamaha Venture Royale).  Haven't had a CB750 for over 40 years.

The Wife's Bike - 750K5
The Kid's Bike - 750K3

Offline wildcatmahone

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Re: How To Get n Keep Shiny Black Airbox?
« Reply #13 on: January 29, 2012, 06:25:52 PM »
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.

Offline Teknojeffo

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Re: How To Get n Keep Shiny Black Airbox?
« Reply #14 on: February 01, 2012, 07:54:58 PM »
+2 on peanut oil.  Still shiny and black many months later.
'74 CB750
'76 CB750
GL1000 (Pete Boody restoration)