Restoring Zephanie

wrote:

Thanks!

I have a question for you guys. Does anyone have any tips or tricks for making the black plastic that the headlamp bucket and rear fender are made out of look good? It’s not ABS plastic, I know because I tried melting a broken chunk of my old bucket in acetone, and it didn’t phase it. I’ve tried 303 Aerospace Protectant, and Meguiar’s Ultimate Black, and neither one did anything. I’m not overly concerned with making those parts any darker black, but just not so sun-faded and splotchy. 

Hi Stefanie - before the after market became full of a hundred wonder products we used to clean black plastic parts like car bumpers etc with good old shoe polish. Once buffed it doesn't come off on your cloths etc
 

wrote:

Not sure I just found it this late summer. But I’m seriously impressed with the results. It was a last ditch effort to pretty up some tired rims. My only option was to strip and paint. It made them much more presentable. 

Do you have any before/after pictures? You just spray it on and don't wipe it, right? Or at least wiping is optional in hard to reach areas? I might have a project coming up that has lots of black paint. It's $40 for a 9 oz can here, so I thought I'd check first.

wrote:

wrote:

Not sure I just found it this late summer. But I’m seriously impressed with the results. It was a last ditch effort to pretty up some tired rims. My only option was to strip and paint. It made them much more presentable. 

Do you have any before/after pictures? You just spray it on and don't wipe it, right? Or at least wiping is optional in hard to reach areas? I might have a project coming up that has lots of black paint. It's $40 for a 9 oz can here, so I thought I'd check first.

BC, sorry no pictures. It’s not going to change or cover up the worn down thin paint. But it will deepen the shade and give a lot better look and appearance to the faded color. It is recommended to wipe down to spread the product for a more uniform finish. Like you said obviously you can’t in unreachable areas. It’s not slippery, but I was diligent not to get overspray on the rotors. I’m sure some did but it didn’t have any adverse effects on braking. Overall it’s a good bit of change to the rims, they appear much “blacker”. It will need to be reapplied I’m sure, I just haven’t had it on long enough to see how long between applications it will be. I just figured I’d add it to my bike cleaning stuff and hit the rims with it as part of my deep cleaning. 

There are other similar products. 

That's hilarious! I watched that very video yesterday after I saw your post and searched pig spit! Looks like an interesting product. I just wish I had easy access to my US receiving centre, so I could get it for a decent price. Oh well, perhaps by summer. I'll try my regular cleaners first. If they disappoint, I'll spend the $40cdn odd to try it out. The other option is 2 9oz cans for $53. Think it's worth it? I'll see the bike for the first time tomorrow, other than photos.

Progress!

Looking really good Steph, keep pushing forward 

Thanks! 

And just so’s ya know, my name isn’t Stephanie, I just combined Zephyr with Stephanie and named my bike Zephanie. 

My name is Paul. 

Whatever you say, Stephanie...  

Glad to see you posting and working on such a nice bike, Paul...

My bad !

www.facebook.com/commerce/listing/622310...ref=share_attachment

 

That must have gone quick - the page is no longer available.

The last Zephyr 750 listed on my local CL sold within hours. I was texting my friend with a truck to help me get it, but there was no chance.