'Restoring' the Plastic M/C Reservoir

[crazy steve]

There may be two issues with 'printed' parts; one, will the material hold up to brake fluid, sunlight, etc? Two, the degree of 'finish' due to printer 'resolution' that seems to be available with printed parts in terms of smoothness isn't much better than what you'll have with a weathered OEM one. You may have sealing issues too; the OEM piece is a pretty close tolerance fit where it fits into the main body, I'm not sure you could get that with a printer. I know it depends on printer resolution, but the hobbyist' printers don't have that high of a resolution yet, or at least the ones I've seen.

The OEM reservoir is a pretty tough piece, you rarely see one broken. Scraped up, yes. It's just that the plastic surface ages rather badly over time...

[Gmac]

Has anyone tried

Two part automotive clear coat on one yet?

Epoxy, especially cured by temperature, is a pretty bullet proof finish.
I might be tempted to be the wind test dummy for this one if I can find a cheap MC off flea bay for the '79 Special.

[MaximPhil]

Two part automotive clear coat on one yet?

Epoxy, especially cured by temperature, is a pretty bullet proof finish.
I might be tempted to be the wind test dummy for this one if I can find a cheap MC off flea bay for the '79 Special.

Hi Gmac,
In my experience (boats) Epoxy yellows with exposure to sunlight so may not give you the long term cosmetic effect you want.
Phil

[jetmechmarty]

I just tend to mine when I wash my bike. A little Meguiar's PlastX followed by wax does wonders.

[robbo]

I recently read an article on restoring plastic 2 stroke oil tanks. They were placed overnight in a container of domestic bleach, the type you use for cleaning toilets etc. And this restored the whiteness to yellowing plastic.

[jetmechmarty]

That yellow is all dried out and crusty. Just sand it off. The good stuff is underneath.

Be careful with what you read. Some of us have some great ideas that are really bad.

[Gmac]

So I was poking around

on various automotive sites for 2 part paint as I'm getting supplies (paint) ready to shoot the Special that the PO did with a spray can, and badly.

Eastwood now has 2 part (epoxy) paint in several colors and get this, it's a spray can application so just about anyone can now pop a professional looking finish without the investment (I already have) in spray equipment.

http://www.eastwood.com/paints/2k-aero-spray-paints.html

Yes, clear is one of them. This is an automotive paint so I doubt yellowing with age is going to happen although I can't rule it out. On something as small as a reservoir I'd just do it and have the sealed unit

For small applications like tanks, luggage and side covers this is the way I'm going to go. Minimal mixing and cleanup are the big selling points for me as well as the chemical proof finish. I will be inquiring them about a custom mix so I can get a fine gold metalflake added to the black spray but if not I'll just end up spraying it normally.