Polishing soft plastic?

[Nessism]

The rear inner fender on my 1000 project bike is all scratched up and blotchy looking where the gloss is worn off. Chain guard is likewise scuffed up but not as bad. Can I sand down the scratches and buff back the gloss using plastic polish on this type of plastic? It’s pretty soft stuff so not sure if it can be restored. I have a stick of plastic polish and achieved good results buffing a windshield but that’s a much harder material. Any advice welcome.

[duaneage]

I would blast it with organic media like walnut shells or corn. Remove the bad scratches with 600 grit and then blast. At least it would give a uniform finish for re polishing.

I would go with 60PSI and test another fender first.

[salty_monk]

I've had luck polishing side covers with fine cutting polish (for paint). Not sure that would work on the fender though. I have some if you want to test. It's unlikely to damage anything.

Dan

[rustybronco]

Ed, just a thought... how about sanding it with 1000-1500 grit wet and dry paper and then clearing it.
you can do a test run on the underside of it.

***edit***possibly use a satin clear 2 part paint?

[Agemax]

normal wet and dry method brings it up nice, then a good plastic polish, the deeper the scratches, the rougher the grit you need but it does come up good as new

[Nessism]

Thanks for the advice guys. Going to try the sanding and polishing method. Will let you guys know how it goes.

[drhach]

I wouldn't hold out much hope. That stuff is soft and usually just kind of smears. I think it is HDPE which is the same thing that they make dirt bike tanks from (and 2 liter bottles)

[Agemax]

I wouldn't hold out much hope. That stuff is soft and usually just kind of smears. I think it is HDPE which is the same thing that they make dirt bike tanks from (and 2 liter bottles)

i had good results in previous attempts. as long as you sand it wet it is just like flatting paint. cold water is the key