What type of plastic is used in 1980s GS fairings?

[Cipher]

And what is the best way to remove a bad paint job from one in advance of refinishing.

 

[chuck hahn]

I "think " its ABS..but not 100% on that. Best bet is to go after it with some 120ish to start and this will sand the heaviest bulk off in decent time. I use my 3 inch mini sander when i do side covers first and then switch up to 400 for the final sand out.

Transtar water based primer is what I use as you thin it with water and you can control the thickness. By controling the thickness and leaving it a bit on the thicker side it fills and covers sanding scratches very well. Just be sure to give the primer a good overnight dry time to ensure its 100% cured. Then some 1200 or 1500 can be used if there are any little runs or lump spots that need taken down.

https://www.tat-co.com/TranstarAutobodyTechnologies/media/TATCo/Product Assets/Flyers/Z404-1.pdf

 

[Cipher]

Thnaks Chuck. Never knew they made 3 inch sanders. Much nicer for tedious work.

 

[chuck hahn]

Mines a 3 inch air driven sander I got from the paint supply house. They sell the hook and sand pads that go on it too.

 

[nvr2old]

Transtar water based primer is what I use as you thin it with water and you can control the thickness. By controling the thickness and leaving it a bit on the thicker side it fills and covers sanding scratches very well. Just be sure to give the primer a good overnight dry time to ensure its 100% cured. Then some 1200 or 1500 can be used if there are any little runs or lump spots that need taken down.

With all due respect, Chuck..1200 or 1500 should never be used on primer. They won't cut out anything like a run. Those are finishing grades for sanding clear before the polishing step. I would never spray a base coat on anything finer then a 600 finish..and then after only sanding it with 400 grit first. You have got to have some tooth for the base to stick to.

People (in general) are so afraid to use grits that cut. It makes such easy work to start aggressive and go progressively finer, then sawing away with a fine grit that's not making any progress.

As far as the fairing, maybe start with 220 or depending on how chipped or scratched up it is maybe even 180. Hard to know w/o a picture of the part that needs to be re-done.