KZ1000p - reconditioning black on fairing

The black section of my fairing (the part that faces you as you ride) is pretty weathered and I get the impression this bike sat outside for some time before being sold. I'd like to bring it back to life and I'm suspicious about all this "Back to Black" stuff on the market. Someone mentioned a product once to me long ago and I can't remember what it was. I'd like to avoid painting it if possible. Does anyone have any ideas on what would be good to use?

I'd also like to plug the many holes drilled into it all over the place. It's not something I could slather Bondo on since it's textured. If you have holes in yours, what do you use to keep water out?

Oh, if your fairing rattles as mine did, and you want to silence it, check out your main headlight ring. A little bit of rubber around the back of it makes a good deal of the rattling go away.

Thanks in advance!

Pics?
Steve

The Nomad wrote: I'd also like to plug the many holes drilled into it all over the place. It's not something I could slather Bondo on since it's textured. If you have holes in yours, what do you use to keep water out?
Thanks in advance!

Mine had holes drilled into it as well, but only on the rider side of the fairing. This was particularly true on the center of the fairing just under the windshield where the Kawasaki emblem is. In fact they drilled 4 holes right through the Kawasaki emblem. I removed the emblem, two rivets, and then covered the holes with piece of stair tread tape. Something like this.

www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-18902/3M-...78P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

I bought the tape at O'Reilly auto parts. The texture is a good match. It looks good enough to me, but I'm not that particular about the looks and don't mind if something looks repaired.

I painted the interior of mine with truck bed liner. Works and looks great. Has held up well for the last 6 years or so. I can't say the same for the Rustoleum satin black I used on the exterior though---that stuff faded to a dark grey in elements.

Okay, I've tried to add pictures of this for about an hour now, but no luck. Sooo, anyway, I've seen some of these that look pretty black, and I was thinking it would be nice to darken it up since I'm looking at it for hours at a time on long trips.

That's a pretty good idea, JakeDude. I just might go that way. Jackleberry, bed liner is a great idea! Any suggestions what brand to use?

Try some "no buff" floor polish. Wipe it on with a cloth and let dry. You can do multiple coats if you want a higher gloss. It won't last forever, but it's easy enough to reapply as needed. A can is only a few dollars and it will be a lifetime supply. I used to use it on my MX bike's fenders/tank shrouds/number plates. People were always asking if I bought new plastic

I used a back to black type stuff on the clock mounts on my CBX750. I dont remember the brand but it worked very well. You could try it on a small out of the way part first and see,though for sure its not going to damage anything. Its a lot less hassle than repainting.

The Nomad wrote: Okay, I've tried to add pictures of this for about an hour now, but no luck. Sooo, anyway, I've seen some of these that look pretty black, and I was thinking it would be nice to darken it up since I'm looking at it for hours at a time on long trips.

That's a pretty good idea, JakeDude. I just might go that way. Jackleberry, bed liner is a great idea! Any suggestions what brand to use?

I don't remember what brand it was. Whatever they sell at autozone probably. More recently I used the rustoleum brand bed liner on a battery cage--it produced a much glossier finish than I expected. I suggest testing whatever you get on some scrap material to be sure it gives the finish you want.

maybe try cutting it back with fine wet and dry paper then polishing it?

Avoid any silicon products if you plan on respraying it in the future, it is banned from my paintshop.