Maya Ellison
ATVs are often used outdoors, which means their plastic bodies can become discoloured by the sun's rays and scratched by dirt, mud, snow, and water. To restore ATV plastic, you can use a variety of methods, including wet sanding, polishing, and waxing. Wet sanding involves using sandpaper with grits ranging from 180 to 220 to 1000 or even 2000 to remove deep scratches and create an even finish. It is important to keep the plastic and sandpaper wet at all times to prevent scratching. After sanding, you can use a buffer and a polishing compound to create a shiny finish. Wax can also be applied to protect the plastic and enhance its shine. Additionally, linseed oil can be used to restore discoloured plastic, but it takes a long time to dry, so boiled linseed oil mixed with paint thinner is recommended.
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What You'll Learn
Wet sanding
Prepare the Plastic:
Start by cleaning the plastic surface with warm soapy water to remove any dirt or grime. Ensure the plastic is thoroughly dried with a towel. It is important to begin with a clean surface to ensure the best results.
Gather Your Materials:
You will need a variety of grit sandpaper, ranging from 180 to 1000 or even 2000. It is recommended to use wet/dry sandpaper, such as 3M, which can be found at auto parts stores or Wal-Mart. Additionally, you will need a bucket of water, a liquid rubbing compound, liquid wax, and a buffer.
Begin Wet Sanding:
Start with the lowest grit sandpaper, such as 180 or 220, and focus only on the deeply scratched areas. Keep the sandpaper and the plastic surface wet at all times during this process. Use a circular motion when sanding to avoid creating lines that are difficult to remove. The water will help prevent the plastic from burred and will make it easier to sand.
Progress Through Grits:
As you work through the grits, gradually increase the grit number. Use 220 grit sandpaper on the entire ATV, sanding until the colour is even and scratches are less visible. With each higher grit, you will notice that the sanding becomes smoother and more effortless. Continue until you reach the highest grit, such as 1000 or even 2000.
Buff and Polish:
After wet sanding, the plastic will likely look foggy and faded. This is normal. Use a buffer and liquid rubbing compound to bring back the shine. You can finish the process by applying liquid wax to protect the newly restored surface.
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Removing scratches
Start by giving your ATV a thorough cleaning to remove any dirt, grease, or oil buildup. Use warm soapy water or a dishwashing liquid like Dawn, which is specifically designed to cut through grease. Ensure you rinse and dry the ATV completely after cleaning.
Next, you'll need to sand the plastic surface to remove scratches and create an even base for polishing. It's recommended to use wet sanding, as it helps prevent the plastic from getting scratched further and reduces the risk of melting the plastic. Use a bucket of water and start with a coarse grit sandpaper, such as 180 or 220 grit, to sand down the deep scratches. Always sand in one direction, and keep the sandpaper and plastic wet throughout the process.
Once the deep scratches are gone, move on to finer grit sandpaper, such as 400, 600, and 1000 grit. Continue wet sanding until the colour is even, and the surface feels smooth. Remember to dry off the ATV completely after sanding.
After sanding, you might notice that the plastic still looks foggy or faded. This is where polishing comes in. Apply a small amount of plastic or metal polish in a circular motion with a clean, dry cloth. You may need to repeat this process several times until the plastic regains its shine.
Finally, you can use a buffer to enhance the shine and bring out the colour of the plastic. Use a wool pad or a soft terry cloth towel for buffing, and remember to work in sections to avoid creating new scratches.
It's important to note that plastic can be challenging to work with, and it may take some time and practice to achieve the desired results. Always work in a well-ventilated area and wear the appropriate safety gear, including gloves and eye protection.
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Polishing
Clean the Plastic Surface:
Start by thoroughly cleaning the ATV's plastic surface. Use warm soapy water or a dishwashing liquid like Dawn to remove any dirt, grease, or oils. Ensure that the plastic is very clean before you begin sanding and polishing.
Wet Sanding:
Before polishing, it is essential to address any deep scratches or discolouration on the plastic. Wet sanding is a crucial step in this process. Always use water when sanding plastic to prevent it from burred. Use fine-grit sandpaper, starting with 180-220 grit to sand down the deepest scratches. Work in one direction, focusing only on the badly scratched areas.
Progress to Finer Grits:
Once the deep scratches are no longer visible, progress to finer grits like 400, 600, and 1000. Keep the plastic and sandpaper wet at all times. Sand until the colour is even, and the surface feels smooth and resistant-free. You should be able to glide your hand over the plastic without feeling any resistance.
Dry the Surface:
After sanding, thoroughly dry the plastic surface. You may notice that the plastic looks foggy or faded at this point, which is normal.
Apply a Plastic Restorer or Polish:
To restore the shine, apply a plastic restorer or polish. You can use products specifically designed for this purpose, such as Holloway House Quick Shine, PlastX, or 3M Finesse. Apply a small amount of the product to a clean, dry cloth and work it into the plastic using circular motions. You may need to apply several coats, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.
Buffing:
For a super shiny finish, consider using a buffer. However, be cautious when using a buffer, as too much pressure or RPM can cause damage. Avoid touching down with the buffer at free speed.
Maintain Your ATV's Plastic:
To keep your ATV's plastic looking its best, regular maintenance is key. Clean your ATV frequently, and consider using products like armour all, wax, or lemon pledge to maintain shine and protect the plastic.
Remember, practice on a small area first to get a feel for the process, and always take your time to achieve the best results.
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Using a buffer
Buffing is a great way to restore the shine to your ATV's plastic. It is important to note that buffing alone may not remove scratches, but it will enhance the colour and shine of the plastic.
Before you begin buffing, ensure that your plastic surface is very clean. Use warm soapy water and a towel to clean the surface. It is also important to note that you should not use a regular grinder as it will burn the pad and melt the plastic. A handheld buffer is recommended.
When using a buffer, do not use too much pressure or RPM, and never touch down with the buffer at free speed. You can use a wool pad with the buffer, depending on the material of the ATV plastic.
After buffing, you can apply a liquid rubbing compound, liquid wax, or a plastic renew product to further enhance the shine. These products can be applied by hand or with a buffer.
Additionally, you can use heat to bring back the shine to your ATV's plastic. However, be cautious as heat may make the plastic brittle.
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Cleaning
To restore the shine on ATV plastic, it is important to start with a clean surface. First, wash the ATV with a dishwashing liquid such as Dawn, which helps remove oils and grease. For best results, remove any racks or other parts covering the plastic. After washing, dry the ATV completely.
If you are dealing with scratches, you will need to sand the plastic surface. Before sanding, ensure the plastic is very clean. Use warm soapy water, and towel dry. When sanding, always use wet/dry sandpaper and keep the paper and plastic wet at all times. This will prevent plastic build-up on the paper, which can cause further scratches.
Start with a coarse grit sandpaper, such as 180 or 220, to sand the deep scratches and uneven areas. Work in one direction, focusing on the deeper scratches first, then move to the nicer parts. Once the deep scratches are gone, move on to a finer grit, such as 400 or 600. Sand until you can't feel resistance between the sandpaper and the plastic. It should feel like your hand is gliding across a wet glass table.
After sanding, remove all the sanding dust and clean and dry the plastic. You can use a heat gun to speed up the drying process. It is important to note that plastic burs easily, so wet sanding is recommended to prevent this.
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Frequently asked questions
Start by cleaning your ATV with warm soapy water, removing all dirt, grease and oil. Dry the ATV thoroughly. Next, sand out any deep scratches with ultra-fine sandpaper, using plenty of water to prevent plastic build-up. Finally, apply a small amount of plastic or metal polish in a circular motion with a clean, dry cloth.
You will need a range of sandpaper grits to sand out scratches and restore ATV plastic. Start with a lower grit, such as 180 or 220, to sand out deep scratches, then move on to higher grits like 400, 600 and 1000.
There are many products available for polishing ATV plastic, including PlastX, 3M Finesse, Mother's, PPG, Holloway House Quick Shine, and Armor All Extreme Shield Wax. You can also use lemon pledge or dollar store furniture polish for a quick and easy clean look.
Linseed oil can be used to restore discoloured plastic, but it takes a long time to dry. For faster results, use boiled linseed oil mixed with paint thinner in a 40/60 ratio.
You can use a plastic welder, heat gun, soldering iron, or another source of heat to melt the plastic along the crack. Apply pressure on both sides of the plastic until the melted plastic cures and holds. For larger cracks, you may need to melt and fill the crack with exterior plastic.
