Glove Box Lid Rehabilitation

[mswyka]

While working on the seats we have had some trouble finding undamaged glove box lids.  Either they are broken at the hinge or the opening tab is partially broken off.  If  we find the latter, we have been removing the tab completely and substituting an inexpensive drawer pull from Lowes or Home Depot.

The process we go through is  to first scrub the lid with 409 and a brush with short, stiff bristles.  Give it a run through the dishwasher and then a fresh coat of plastic spray paint.

Just because we can't leave well enough alone, we add a reflective Kawasaki decal - also discussed in the thread "see and be seen"

[mswyka]

Now with replacement handle.

[gixxer6]

Very nice! 

I've used that drawer handle trick.  Works great!   

[dr1979-340]

I did the exact same thing also.  I think I even used the same handle. 

[SySteMAtiC72]

Nice. The decal sets it off.

My question is about the paint you are using. Have you tried it on the gas tank?
I just finished with restoring my first of 3 Invaders 440s I have. On this one I used Back to Black for the gas tank, rear door, and side handles but I can tell it's going to fade quick even after about 5 coats. I'm definitely looking for something that will weather a little better.

[rminier]

 Yes...this stuff works great on gas tanks, dash panels, etc. As mentioned earlier, Rust-Oleum makes a similar paint for plastic....which I'm sure works equally well.
 As with any painting project, preparation is the key. Getting the surface absolutely CLEAN, and oil and grease free is the key.
 These paints are available in satin black or gloss black.
 I'm not sure how it would work on the rubber passenger side handles....
 I hose those down with some white wall tire cleaner (sometimes several times) to melt away the oxidized, nasty brown rubber, and then give them a spray of "Armor-All" or something similar.
 As most of the members on here would probably agree....you can't trust those 35+ year old handles to perform their original function....they have lost most of their original strength, and now perform mostly a "decorative" function.

[mswyka]

Similar experience here.  Yes, we have used the Rustoleum and Krylon plastic paints on the fuel tanks with good results.  Fuel dribbles will discolor the paint, but I have not yet found the fuel to remove the paint.  To get the best appearance on the tank we endorse painting.

Actually, while on the subject of painting, we are finding that just about every part of the sled can be painted - although I will say that we have not found a need to, or tried, to paint the track.

We really like the Kawasaki logo on the back of the seats.  Looks like it could have been original and adds some additional reflection.  From my perspective, with the long dark winter nights, one can almost never have too much reflection.

[mswyka]

Lloyd, I don't know where  I found the tray that mixes inch and metric, but we find it very convenient, particularly when working on projects like the Kawasaki sleds that mix both systems.

[rminier]

 Geeeez, Mark....you are just too organized....making me feel bad...
 Good stuff!

[gixxer6]

I use the Krylon Fusion Satin Black on the gas tank and dash panels as well.  But like Mark said, don't spill fuel on it!  It makes it look "dull".  I've used this paint on the grab handles too, again with excellent results.  I've used it on plastic and fiberglass belly pans too.  I really like the satin black finish, it's a near perfect match to the original unfinished plastic. 

Actually, I use the Krylon Fusion paints on just about everything.  It's super easy to work with, dries fast, doesn't run (well, not easily anyway), and it sticks to just about anything.  I just wish it was heat and chemical resistant. 

[5kaws]

I've got lucky with the product called wipe new an as seen on tv product.   My tanks,dashes, doors May of not been bad like others but it did restore it like new.  It was 15$ at Walmart.   Worth a shot maybe to some ?    That door looks nice! Kaw should of placed that decal on there from the get go.  Nice job mark