Removing scratches from the plastic?

Not sure I'm all that keen on the idea of using highly polished plastic on bikes where contact with clothing and boots is inevitable as it seems to scratch and dull. The old bikes had painted metal fenders which seemed to be easier to keep care of. What do you use to clean, polish and remove scratches from the plastic fenders and tank shroud - or am I being overly prissy about the thing.

I'm interested also!!! I bungeed a jerry can onto the back and it is scratch beyond all get out.

*I guess since mine is so bad I could start with sandpaper...just been to busy/lazy.

Deep scratches you'll have to wet/dry 1500 sandpaper and warm soapy water. Another way is to use a heat gun, but be very careful cause you could melt the plastic in the process. Fine scratches comes out with Honda Plastic Polish and an orbital polisher. I also add a coat of teflon after.

Basically my method consists of:
Deep scratches....heat the plastic with a heat gun to just enuf to melt the scratch so it fills in. Then take the 1500 wet/dry sandpaper w/warm soapy water and sand until smooth. Takes a few times and some patience but it works. Then spray on some Honda polish, take the orbital to it. DO that a couple of times. Then take teflon wax and run the orbital over it.

Fine scratches...spray with Honda polish, run the orbital over it; repeat. Put on some teflon wax, run the orbital on it, done.

It is a dirt bike... So long as it's mechanically sound who cares about scratches?

Not everyone wants a piece of emery cloth between their nether regions.

Tibarus wrote:

It is a dirt bike... So long as it's mechanically sound who cares about scratches?

That's what my wife says. Thou, I'm still bent about tipping over in traffic the other day and adding to the array of cosmetic issues, which are now repaired except for my pride.

Deep scratches: emery cloth sounds good
Regular polishing: use 'Mr Sheen' synthetic furniture polish - really shiny & cheap, & seems to clean off dead bugs well!!! Available in any UK supermarket - is it available on other side of pond?!?!?!

I like my bike to look good,