I would personally not reccommend the sand paper, unless it was a very fine grit ( & not at all, for the camo , lava, or carbon plastics )... I have heard of people having really good luck with heat guns ( the type used to peel paint )... LIGHTLY going over the scratches with a heat gun, is said to nearly fully remove them, & bring back lost shine, from oxidation... go slowly, as you don't want to burn your plastic... this is said to work really well for normal ATV plastic... I would use caution trying the heat gun with the lava & carbon plastics, as they seem to be a different type ( more brittle )

 

Thanks for the input, I don't mind the little scratches, I mean any time you slap a limb on the trail you get those. These are kinda deep though. Maybe it just needs the proper sticker on the rear fender to get rid of the scratch lol.... What's up with the wal-mart bashing. Heck I don't know how my house would function without it. I mean in Shreveport you don't have a lot of choices. Everybody I know goes there, by the way I would hardly consider myself or any of them white trash. If you are uncomfortable with people knowing you go to wal-mart that sounds like a personnal issue, just my opinion.

 

I use soft scrub w/bleach then use a tire shine (any) and have great results. Problem is with anything you use and have good results with in this enviroment we have fun doing.....is just doesn't last and that yall is the nature of the beast.

 

Mark82ndABN - thanks for understanding my pain. It just makes me mad that you try to protect the machine and all you do in more damage. Oh well - lesson learned - better off to buy a pickup or enclosed trailer - or not even cover it. I may just go out and deliberately flip the quad just to "earn" my battle badges. Better off telling someone that "yeah, I was climbing this near vertical cliff and next thing I knew I was bench pressing the quad off my chest" than - "my tarp scratched fender!" LOL!! I will have to try some of those techniques - Thanks to all that responded. To all those that don't want scratches riding in the woods - Here's a brainstorm - just take all the plastic off and then you would have a machine that looks like something from 'The Road Warrior' movie. The result - nice plastic , butt ugly quad. Just kidding. I try to keep the plastic coated with armor all , honda spry polish , or recently I have been using black magic's protectant. And yes , I have supported the Walton family for a long time. Kmart is more pricey.

 

scratches are a way of life, riddin hard equals war wounds, I crack up when I see these shiny, perfect quad pictures. My V has its share of wounds......

 

I was able to remove most of the 'haze' from the tarp rubbings by using a buffing bonnet on a angle sander/polisher. It seem to take 80 - 90% of the cloudiness out of the plastic and also made it shiny new again! NICE!! Now that it looks good again , its time to go & hammer the living snot out of it!! You know - jumping a 20 ft. ravine and coming up short or just barreling through the woods making your own trail!! - yahoooo!! LOL!!

 

Buy American!

It might seem silly to some people that some of us would like to keep their machines looking good as possible. In my case, why would I spend $500 plus on shiny aluminum wheels and cool tires, and have a beat looking ATV on top of them? It's true that scratches are a part of the sport. But keeping my machine looking good is part of it too, for me anyway. I have been using Armour-All after a wash. But I too would like to fine a more permanent solution.


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2004 Kawasaki Prairie 360 4X4

25" ITP ATRs mounted on ITP C Series Aluminum wheels
Warn 2500ci Winch

 

IMO WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO IS THIS...

I work hard for my "toys" and I want them to last as long as possible as well as, AND look new as long as possible. I'm not afraid to run in the "mud" or I'm not "afraid" to ride rough either. For me only, it is a pride thing. Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you. I enjoy taking care of my toys! I also consider re-sale value too. If I don't take care of my equipment what will it be worth when I sell it? I think what is starting to happen w/this thread is personal opinion now. I don't think that is how it started but is ending up as.

Believe me when I say this, the "toys" I have are all used, and I'm grateful to have what I have, even though it is used, its in excellent codition and everything runs great and operates as it should! My truck, it is new. What I think is funny is the fact people will spend a lot of money on something new, not take care of it, and it looks like a lump of coal compared to something used in great condition that would bring more money that a new lump of coal.

So, I would rather buy your new shiny atv that is used and well taken care of than a "newer" abused and not well maintained atv.

Well, off my soapbox, I'm sure this will stir the pot up now![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] But remember, just my opinion and what do I know[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

Buy American!

I totally agree!

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2004 Kawasaki Prairie 360 4X4

25" ITP ATRs mounted on ITP C Series Aluminum wheels
Warn 2500ci Winch

 

I agree also. I am a maintanence freek and love to change oil, keep all my levers greased, and of course keep the plastic looking as good as I can as long as I own it so that it will have a good resale value.