They are everywhere ... the inner rear fender, gauge cover, rad shrouds, bar switches, signal light housings, inner fairing sections...anywhere you find unpainted black plastic parts you will eventually notice that the black satin finish is starting to turn dull and grey. This is mainly caused by repeated exposure to the sun.

One detailing trick we use to refresh the finish of certain black plastic parts is to spray them with Tire Shine or AD2000. There are actually a number of similar products that are silicone based and work well on most plastic materials of this nature, though I suggest you try any of them on an inconspicuous area first as a test.

Spray on, let it sit for a few seconds, and then wipe off with a clean cloth. Voila ... back to shiny black again! The renewed finish lasts a long time, and is easy to touch up when required. When compared to the alternative of buying these faded plastic parts new this tip can save you a lot of money.

All these tips, and many more, can be found in The Motorcycle Handbook along with explanations on many aspects of motorcycles and motorcycling. 63 chapters of practical, down-to-earth information you won’t find anywhere else! Just click on The Motorcycle Handbook link for more info and some excellent reviews.

John Hanney