Mr Clean Magic erasers and your plastics

[SDRick]

I have always been upset I could never clean the rub marks on my plastics particularly the areas that my boots or knee guards rub. No matter what cleaner I used it would never come off so I just figured that’s how it goes. The other day I was washing my bike and just happened to be also using magic erasers on another project. Turns out they work really well, couple of passes and plastic looks perfect. I’m betting repeat uses of the eraser will dull the finish/shine of the plastic but they will be clean again.

Before

After

I also tried this on graphics that were turning brown from grime around the tank and the eraser worked on that too.

I searched and found a few mentions of magic erasers but not very much discussion on it so I’m hoping this will help a few of us.

[S.O.A.N.Z]

Kerosene also works

[unrooted]

I don’t think I’ve seen bikes that clean in a showroom!?!?!

[MXR]

Wow. We use magic erasers for everything, but it never occurred to me to try the plastic. Thanks for posting. BTW simple green is great to clean the engine with :-)

[SDRick]

I don’t think I’ve seen bikes that clean in a showroom!?!?!

 

I just picked it up used from a dealer and they replaced a number of plastics so it’s the best it will ever look again haha

 

Wow. We use magic erasers for everything, but it never occurred to me to try the plastic. Thanks for posting. BTW simple green is great to clean the engine with :-)

 

Just be careful around aluminum simple green can be pretty harsh on raw parts but the cleaning power is ridiculous.

[dyrtmon]

What's a "magic erasure" ?

[Force10]

I use the Mr. Clean ones. Yes...they do dull the gloss of the plastic over time.

[SDRick]

5 minutes ago, dyrtmon said:

What's a "magic erasure" ?

It’s kind of like a sponge but it cleans better. Just add water and scrub what’s dirty and it really is kind of like magic it cleans almost any hard surface. Mr clean first made it popular there more is than one offering now.

Edited October 24, 2018 by SDRick

[dyrtmon]

Thanks - never heard of that product and I could sure use it.....So, I should look for Mr Clean Magic Erasure?

[SDRick]

8 minutes ago, dyrtmon said:

Thanks - never heard of that product and I could sure use it.....So, I should look for Mr Clean Magic Erasure?

You can find them almost anywhere cleaning supplies are sold. I ended up using Home Depot brand because they were convenient.

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Clean-Original-Cleaning-Packaging/dp/B001339ZMW

Edited October 24, 2018 by SDRick

[Hans Schmid]

Use them all the time... Throw some Maguires Tire Shine on the plastics when she's all cleaned up and it will look like new! 

 

Then again, I prefer to use my bike too... Scratches and scuffs are enviable... 

Edited October 24, 2018 by Hans Schmid

[dyrtmon]

3 minutes ago, SDRick said:

You can find them almost anywhere cleaning supplies are sold. I ended up using Home Depot because they were convenient.

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Clean-Original-Cleaning-Packaging/dp/B001339ZMW

Perfect - thanks! Could really use that....

[WALKINGWOUNDED]

My wife introduced me to Magic Eraser a few years ago.

It's my back up cleaner when nothing else works.

[katoom64]

I learned about these from Mark at Tokyo Offroad. They do an awesome job on white plastic.

[rparrish2]

I spray rub marks with WD40 and scrub them off with the magic eraser.  Been doing it for years.  BTW the cheap dollar store knock off magic erasers actually work better and hold up better.

[Ben500RR-S]

Magic erasers and the like are some sort of melamine or a very, very fine grit of sandpaper.  Of course, using them on plastics just introduces fine scratches in the plastic and makes the area get dirty, quicker/faster as the plastic can now hold and keep more dirt. 

If it were me and I didn't want to keep dealing with using the erasers, I'd just get come thick clear plastic like the LaminX or the same clear film that they use for headlights, cut out a piece and stick it on the wear-area and just replace the decal every now and then when it is bad enough as it would then be no different than just a clear sticker/graphic.  

[kdxyardsale]

Those drill mounted headlight kits work well on plastics as well, foam pad on a cordless drill. When the polish pouch runs out get some #2novusPlasticpolish

[SDRick]

I have a bunch of automotive polishes, I bet a light cut or a finishing polish will bring back the luster on plastics pretty well. I have a 1 step polish and sealant I might have to try

[ClintMD]

I use Goof Off, it's works really well on those spots also.  

[Dirtstache 556]

7 hours ago, katoom64 said:

I learned about these from Mark at Tokyo Offroad. They do an awesome job on white plastic.

I was trying to remember where I heard this tip, that was probably it. Best youtube channel out there for KTM 2 strokes