Cleaning/preserving white sidepanels....

My side panels started to get semi permanent black scuffs from my boots. Yes, I know it's a dirt bike.... I usually keep a couple of feet of 3M or similar film for abrasion areas on bikes in general. After finally getting it somewhat clean, made a couple of patches to preserve the side panels. Easily peeled off and remade as needed. Tried my usual cleaning with Dawn and brush, vinegar, boeshield and found these Oxy packets in the house and they seemed to do the trick.

Excellent, thanks for the tip! I will try that out on some scuffed white plastics on our bikes.

But not on my beater:

Hmmm, that stuff seems to do the business.

These work great on White Plastic (Mr Clean - Magic Eraser bars)

Shout is the best cleaner for a dirt bike. Spay the bike with a hose to wet it down and then spray Shout all over it. Let it stand for a little bit but do not let it dry then was the bike as normal with soap and water.

The best Motorcycle polish I have used is Mutol Shine and Go. It makes the bike look so good you will not want to ride it. It smells pretty good as well but probably will kill your brain cells.

Midseason polish? You guys crack me up.

Even if I didn't crash (I do, although a lot less than I did in years past), my bike is nonstop getting beaten down by sticks, branches, mud, roost, boots, and riding pants. I wash and lube it every ride and the mechanical bits are kept in impeccable shape, but the idea of making my plastics shiny is nuts!

Tyre shine (cheap silicone spray) up under the guards and around mud catching areas makes the next clean up easier. A quick wipe over with a rag wet with this shit keeps bike shiny too.

Not much gets that dyed red clay stain out of a plastic and it's scratches and gouges, drives me insane as I hate,a dirty looking bike after I've spent half hour cleaning it

I do use that stuff under the guards to stop mud/clay build up, sticks like shit to a blanket(Aussie red clay) .

I have about 5 full sets of plastics, a few sets brand new. Keeping them in good shape is easier with a good set of graphics to help protect them from scuffs and abrasion damage as they become the sacrificial surface so to speak.

That takes care of just about all that worry incase I ever want to sell it.

The rest of the time I just hose it off and lube the necessary parts and ride it again. All the Cactus, Mesquite branches, Creosote bushes and all that stuff really plays Hell with the plastics here where I am.

A little Silicone spray does make it easier to clean up under the front and rear fenders though.

I have an older husqvarna with white plastics that have faded to a light yellow. Anything besides painting them to bring the white color back?

Just noticed this stuff in a auto magazine.... http://3mauto.com/products/paint-defender

While not as thick as the standard 8mil. clear bra material, it's easy to apply and remove. I can see just spraying on the entire sidepanels.

Does anyone have any experience with a good polishing method for removing deep scratches? Ive used an orbital polisher but it removes too much material and leaves bad scuff marks, almost as bad as the original scratch. Hand polishing isnt enough either.

I got a sample bar at Home Depot and tried it this morning. Not on the white plastic itself but the clear film I applied to the sidepanel to protect from boot abrasions. Washing with Dawn, using Vinylex, etc... Did not get the dirt out of the film, but Mr. Clean did. So Any wear areas I cover with clear film, Mr. Clean does the trick. Another way to keep your old bike looking good.

I did find though on removing stckers that many products like goo removers, even if less solvent like, take the gloss off plastics. Some buffing with carnuba and then Vinylex helps get the gloss back.

I just put graphics on then wd40.... much easier