Howdy............Are there any good tips or tricks for cleaning up the plastic parts and cases on the newer saws? I bought a new Stihl last year and the scratches/discoloration of the plastic is bugging me a little. I tried buffing with turtle wax. That polishes it up a bit but the scratches / fading is still there. Not really being anal but curious. Thanks........Bob
Restoring, Cleaning and Polishing Plastic
- Thread starter mirkaba
- Start date
Help Support Arborist Forum:
parrisw
Tree Freak
You could try sanding it going down to very fine paper, I've seen a few threads on here with people doing that and it looks much better, maybe do a search to find them.
brokenbudget
Addicted to ArboristSite
has anybody tried those mr.clean magic erasers yet?
parrisw
Tree Freak
I'm going to try the 3M headlight restore kits soon, on some 395 plastic.
Yes.
Based on a post here I picked up a two pack of them and the other night I tried it on a top cover for a Stihl 034. I only did part of it and so far I'm very impressed. I have not tried it on a faded cover yet, the one I tried was dirty/light scratches, but nice overall.
I'm still experimenting with them at this point, but it looks very promising.
Mr. HE
Thanks for the posts. I do lapidary and make jewelry. I have been looking at all of the tools, grinders, sanders, polishers etc. that I have and sort of scratching my head. The 3m system looks like it might work. Please let us know how it works out. I have done some small epoxy and plastic sanding and polishing and know that it requires a light hand..............Bob
joe912
ArboristSite Member
For light cleaning and polishing up the plastic, I have found nothing better than the ProHonda cleaner/polish. It's in an aerosol can at your local Honda Motorcycle dealer.
brokenbudget
Addicted to ArboristSite
For light cleaning and polishing up the plastic, I have found nothing better than the ProHonda cleaner/polish. It's in an aerosol can at your local Honda Motorcycle dealer.
tried it. doesn't do squat on dirty stihls. nor does it get rid of the faded look on huskies.
rms61moparman
Addicted to ArboristSite
I picked up a bottle of stuff at the Dollar Store for around $5.00 from a company called BLUE MAGIC, called simply Headlight Lens Restorer.
I wondered how it would do on the discolored Stihl plastic.
I don't think it brightened the plastic up much, but it did a pretty good job of cleaning and polishing.
What do youall think???
<a href="http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb53/rms61moparman/?action=view¤t=P1010184.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb53/rms61moparman/P1010184.jpg" border="0" alt="before"></a>"]
<a href="http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb53/rms61moparman/?action=view¤t=P1010187.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb53/rms61moparman/P1010187.jpg" border="0" alt="After"></a>"]
My photo skills aren't nearly as good as most here but hopefully this will work.
The top pic is after a dish detergent bath.
The bottom is after quickly applying the cleaner/restorer and a light buffing.
2 minutes tops.
Mike
I wondered how it would do on the discolored Stihl plastic.
I don't think it brightened the plastic up much, but it did a pretty good job of cleaning and polishing.
What do youall think???
<a href="http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb53/rms61moparman/?action=view¤t=P1010184.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb53/rms61moparman/P1010184.jpg" border="0" alt="before"></a>"]
<a href="http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb53/rms61moparman/?action=view¤t=P1010187.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb53/rms61moparman/P1010187.jpg" border="0" alt="After"></a>"]
My photo skills aren't nearly as good as most here but hopefully this will work.
The top pic is after a dish detergent bath.
The bottom is after quickly applying the cleaner/restorer and a light buffing.
2 minutes tops.
Mike
huskystihl
Addicted to ArboristSite
I tried the turtle wax version of the headlight restorer after a deer accident last year and we got one new lense. The turtle wax was worthless but it only cost $6 so I tried the mothers kit at $25 and WOW, worth the money. I haven't tried it on my saws because I really dont care how new they look but it may be worth a try if you wanna spend a few bucks plus theres enough to do the headlights to.
Rounder
Addicted to ArboristSite
Arrowhead recently posted some tips on this using lacquer thinner and scotchbrite pads, then finishing with a clear coat. I did a couple old saws for friends this weekend using this and it worked great. Sorry for no link, to dumb for that, but do a search and it'll pop up - Sam
This is if it needs a major overhaul....http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=128252
Vibes
Addicted to ArboristSite
+ 1 on the Honda aerosol. Its now called Original Biker Spirits. Great stuff! I use it on new saws because of the UV protection.
joe912
ArboristSite Member
No kidding, interesting name change. When Honda decided to comply with the CARB V.O.C, I purchased a case of the "old" stuff because I heard that the formula was going to change. Still have half a case left
As for you guys trying to really get scratches out, the Honda polish is not the way to go. With lexan and plexi windscreens, I've had good luck polishing scratches out with Plexus and very high grit sand paper (1500-4000 grit)
I look at the scratches on my OHV's and power equipment as battle scars. Nothing to hide, perhaps even something to brag about
Vibes
Addicted to ArboristSite
I don't know if they changed the formula with the name change or not. I talked to the company owners at bike week last year and he told me that Honda was just to demanding to deal with so they parted ways. I didn't have any of the Honda spray left so I can't compare. THe new stuff might seem a little thicker, but it still works great.
I probably wouldn't have bought it just for saws if I didn't have 3 scoots to clean.
I probably wouldn't have bought it just for saws if I didn't have 3 scoots to clean.
olyeller
ArboristSite Guru
Look here
Here's a thread on restoring faded plastic:
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=120825
Those are my Stihl 044 pics that Wigglesworth posted. The Meguiar's Tire Gel works great on restoring color to sunburned plastic, is easy to use, no sanding involved and the color stays. Wigglesworth passed the tip on to me and I'm thankful for it. Only about $8 so give it a try.
This thread also has some other techniques if you don't like the results that I got with the 044.
Olyeller
Here's a thread on restoring faded plastic:
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=120825
Those are my Stihl 044 pics that Wigglesworth posted. The Meguiar's Tire Gel works great on restoring color to sunburned plastic, is easy to use, no sanding involved and the color stays. Wigglesworth passed the tip on to me and I'm thankful for it. Only about $8 so give it a try.
This thread also has some other techniques if you don't like the results that I got with the 044.
Olyeller
Sanding will work, and you can get 1500 and even 2500 wet/dry sandpaper from just about any hardware store. Water sanding will do a relatively nice job.
My problem with with a 268 cover was that I couldn't sand deep enough to get past the uv-fading, so I would up having to paint the cover.
My problem with with a 268 cover was that I couldn't sand deep enough to get past the uv-fading, so I would up having to paint the cover.
StihlyinEly
Addicted to ArboristSite
I have an MS460 with badly discolored orange. It's not faded. It's darker and uneven, like dirt/grime/stain. I haven't seen any before-and-after pics for that condition, and my guess is that's mostly surface type stuff that would come out with a buffing from rubbing compound or very fine auto body sandpaper.
Thoughts? Pics?
Thoughts? Pics?
