Plastic Fading

I aim this question more at our American cousins who have a proper summer & regular real sunshine.

This year in the UK has been unusually hot (as have some in the past) but where I live now my bike is kept outside and stands in what can only be described as a sun trap.

Today I noticed the right side (as sat on) clear rear indicator cover appears to have faded/misted compared to the left. Has it been there since I've owned it second-hand or has the sun bleached that side as it's on it all day.

I've normally only seen such sun bleaching in foreign hot spots

None of the blue body panels appear changed at all

I don't need to know it should be covered when not in use etc just if anybody else has e experienced this issue

I bought my 04 Swing that had been left outside and it is completely faded and no shine left. So I would cover it. I had that Dark Cherry look.

Never heard of tail light lenses frosted like you've mentioned. However it is quite common here to see headlight lenses on older cars frosted due to road grime and winter treatment chemicals. The quick n' dirty fix for those fogged headlight lenses is to polish them with toothpaste. Maybe that's worth a go.

Tim

Plastic headlight restore products should clean up the lenses. Its abrasive so tape up any body panels you don't want scratched ETC. Follow the directions on bottle should work.

I would advise caution for anything abrasive on a plastic lens, you could end up with a badly scratched lens.
Meguiars do a non-abrasive headlight restoration kit for plastic lenses, but at £21 it seems expensive for just one lens. I've used their PlastRx polish to take out light scratches on the screen - better value at around £7 a bottle! Takes time and gentle rubbing, but leaves a good, clear finish.

It was popular in Miata circles years ago to "shave" the raised lettering from the plastic tail and side light lenses. We would start using 400 then 600, then 800, then 1200 grit wet sanding paper; and finish up with Meguiars' fast cut rubbing compound and finally their polishing compound.

The result was a finish arguably better than as they came from the factory...

Scootypuff Snr wrote:

Today I noticed the right side (as sat on) clear rear indicator cover appears to have faded/misted compared to the left.

Have you checked that it might be moisture inside the indicator that's causing the misting before buying one of these headlight restoration kits.

I got some moisture inside one of the headlights of my 650 Burgman on a short but very wet trip to Norn' Iron. It misted up the lens completely, but disappeared as if by magic within a few miles when the scooter was running and the bulb automatically on. Only to reappear when the engine was off and inside the headlamp reflector cooled again.

Happily it gradually disappeared over a period of months, in time for me to get rid of the lardass lump for my Silver Wing.

Thanks for the tips & pointers gents.

I've rearranged the drive moving the SW into a line up with the other bikes and removed the top box so a cover fits.
When I have time I'll investigate more ( I'll get loads more time now other bikes & cars have to be moved before I ride off)