Motorcycle Cover Melted Onto Exhaust? Top Answer Update

Plastic can melt on hot surfaces. Credit: Ziga Plahutar/iStock/GettyImages See more photos

Sometimes plastic can accidentally melt and stick to hot metal, glass, or ceramic surfaces. A plastic bowl, lid, or bag can get stuck if it comes in contact with a hot or even warm surface, such as a stovetop, toaster oven, or toaster oven. Removing molten plastic from metal can seem daunting once it’s cooled and firmly bonded. However, it can be removed in a number of ways.

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Cleaning with commercially available cleaning agents

Your hob, toaster or oven can stay hot for a while and sometimes containers, plates or bags are accidentally placed on or next to it. First, you should turn on fans and open windows to ventilate with fresh air. Be careful not to inhale fumes and wait for the hot surface to cool. Use a blunt knife, e.g. Use a metal or plastic butter knife, for example, to scrape away as much of the melted plastic as possible.

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How To Clean Stuff recommends spraying any plastic still stuck to the stove with WD-40. Let the WD-40 sit for a few minutes. Next, use a razor blade to scrape off the plastic. Be careful when doing this as the razor blade could potentially scratch the oven surface. Once all of the melted plastic has been successfully removed, rinse the WD-40 with dish soap and water. Dry the oven with a paper towel or a tea towel. If you don’t have WD-40 handy, other equally effective alternatives are kitchen cleaners, window cleaners, and glass cleaners like Windex or a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

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Do It Yourself recommends using Bar Keepers Friend for ceramic hobs. Pour a small amount of the powder onto the melted plastic. Rub vigorously with a wet sponge. Repeat as needed. Bar Keepers Friend is non-abrasive and gentle enough to use on ceramics.

Try nail polish

Another alternative for removing melted plastic from metal and glass surfaces is nail polish. Always test a small amount of nail polish first before using to see how your device responds. Nail polish could potentially damage the finish, especially enamel ovens.

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If there is no reaction, How To Clean Stuff recommends pouring a small amount of nail polish onto the remaining melted plastic and letting it sit for a few minutes. Use a cotton ball to rub it off. Repeat until all of the melted plastic has been removed.

Use all-natural options

If you want to try more natural options, baking soda is a good choice. How To Clean Stuff recommends making a baking soda paste. Slowly add a small amount of water to the baking soda to get a paste-like consistency, but not watery. Apply the paste to the melted plastic and allow it to activate for a few minutes. Use a paper towel to scrub off the baking soda and melted plastic. Do not scrub too hard, however, as baking soda is a mild abrasive and could potentially scratch the stovetop surface.

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You can also try dish soap and water. Allow the foam and water to wet the melted plastic. Use a soft bristle brush per How To Clean Stuff to gently scrub away plastic. Be careful when cleaning a stainless steel oven as it is more sensitive to abrasion. Scrub gently to avoid scratching. This also works well for melted plastic in a pan.

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Clean with water only

Ice cream can be used after Do It Yourself. You can apply ice directly to the melted plastic. The goal is for the ice to make the plastic harder and easier to peel or chip off. If necessary, use a nylon scrubbing brush.

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Do It Yourself also recommends boiling water. Using a spoon, pour a small amount of boiling water onto the melted plastic. This heats up the plastic and makes it softer. When the plastic has softened, scrape it off with a rubber scraper. Dry the stovetop with a paper towel or cloth tea towel. Repeat as needed. Both ice and boiled water are great for ceramic and metal cooktops.

Removing melted plastic on a metal or glass utensil can be easier than it seems. There are many natural or chemical solutions.

About 380 billion plastic bags are used in the United States each year. That’s more than 1,200 bags per US resident and more than 54 times the number of people living on Earth. That’s why you won’t find a plastic bag in any of the major retail stores here in Santa Monica, thanks to a citywide plastic bag ban.

Since plastic bags are not biodegradable, it can take anywhere from 500 to 1,000 years for your grocery bag to decompose through photodegradation. So those plastic bags floating around the streets are going to be around for a while.

Image via org.uk

Plastic bags are not only dangerous to wildlife, killing hundreds of thousands of marine animals a year and the environment by depleting resources like oil and trees – but also to your car.

If you’re driving on the freeway and roll over the plastic bag floating between lanes, you could be in for a big and costly surprise if it gets caught somewhere in your car.

As a professional mechanic pointed out on Reddit, a plastic bag can get sucked into the drive belt or exhaust system, causing major mechanical problems and sometimes even fires. If it melts on your exhaust, it can be quite difficult to get off and your car can smell like burnt plastic for weeks.

Image via smugmug.com

Oops!

So the next time you see a seemingly harmless plastic bag on the street, do your best to safely avoid it. And if you do happen to run over, always check your rear-view mirror to make sure he’s actually driven under your car. If you don’t see anything in the mirror, stop (if you’re sure) and look under your vehicle.

No matter how beautiful American Beauty’s Wes Bentley thinks they are, plastic bags suck.

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Plastic bags aren’t the only thing that can cause unforeseen damage to your car. Neglecting seemingly minor maintenance tasks can really affect the overall performance and lifespan of your car. Here are some basic things you can do to keep your car running smoothly and avoid costly and unnecessary repairs.

Amanda asked: How do I clean a melted green balloon off a pair of shorts? I sat down on a melted balloon.

Whether it’s a melted balloon or hot rubber in the car, when melted rubber sticks to clothes it’s sure to leave a gooey mess. While this can mostly be removed, it requires immediate treatment. How to remove the sticky goop.

You will need:

spoon or blunt knife

Ice

Dry cleaning solvents

laundry detergent

Sponge or soft cloth

Steps to remove the melted rubber:

Start by scraping off as much rubber as you can. If it’s still soft, harden it by placing an ice cube on it for a few seconds. To remove the remaining residue, dampen a sponge or soft cloth with dry cleaning solution and dab onto the rubber. Dry cleaning solvents are available online or at janitorial supply stores, or a smaller bottle can be found in a Dryel Home Dry Cleaning Kit available in the laundry aisles of most supermarkets. Let it soak and pat again. Continue until the rubber debris is broken down and removed. Allow the area to dry. Apply detergent directly to the area where the melted rubber was. Wash normally. Do not dry until all gum is removed. Do not put it in the dryer or it may continue to melt and spread.

Additional tips and advice

Remove melted plastic from a stovetop burner

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

Molten plastic can also foul gas burners and electric heating elements. If it happens, open the windows and turn on the fans as soon as possible to remove the fumes.

If the accident happens while the burners are high, turn off the heating element immediately. Allow the element to cool completely so you can use your hands or a dull knife to remove as much plastic as possible. Be sure to check for plastic in the drip pans under electric burners.

To remove the remaining residue, turn the burner down to the lowest setting – never above 2. This will soften the plastic so it can be scraped away with a wooden spatula, spoon, or chopstick. Wipe the wood tool with a paper towel when the plastic is transferred to the wood tool to keep the melted plastic from spilling back onto the burner. Continue scraping until no more plastic can be removed.

With the hood open, turn the burner control to maximum to burn off any plastic debris. Use a circulation fan to blow the fumes towards an open window. The burner should not be on high for more than two or three minutes.

A guide to motorcycle covers

Reviews of some of the newest and most advanced bike covers you can buy

The cooling time of a motorcycle engine depends on the engine temperature and the outside temperature. It typically takes about 2 hours or more for an engine to cool sufficiently at normal operating temperatures to open it without burning yourself.

overview

In this short article, we’ll look at how long it takes for a motorcycle engine to cool down and if there’s anything you can do to speed up the cooling process.

We will discuss the following:

The rate at which an engine loses heat

This will speed up the cooling process

The rate at which an engine loses heat

Graph showing engine temperature over time

You can expect about two to three hours for the engine to cool down.

As you can see in the image above, engine temperature does not decrease at the same rate over time. Because the speed of heat transfer depends on the difference between the current temperature and the outside temperature.

It just means that the closer the motor’s temperature is to ambient, the slower it cools down. But don’t think that a hotter engine will cool faster.

Nope, unfortunately that doesn’t work. You’re just starting at a different point on the graph and it may seem like the temperature is falling faster at first, but the rate changes as the engine gets cooler.

This will speed up the cooling process

There is a way to speed up the cooling process when the motorcycle is sitting in your garage. You can put a regular household fan in front of the bike so it’s pointing at the motor. It might not make much of a difference, but it helps.

Why does this work? Well, heat from the engine is transferred to the surrounding air, causing any engine to cool down (some may first transfer it to fluids flowing through the engine, but it’s the same principle).

When the bike is stationary and there is no wind, the hot air just hangs around the motor and slowly moves up (because hot air rises). As a result, the difference between the engine temperature and the outside temperature becomes smaller, so the cooling rate is lower.

So you want to get the hot air away from around the engine faster so it’s always in contact with cool air. And that’s basically how hot air-cooled engines work. Water-cooled engines would first transfer engine heat to a radiator through water and then the air would cool the radiator.

But while water can cool an engine fairly well as it absorbs the heat when it gasifies, you shouldn’t do this as the metals could cool unevenly and crack. What you can do is take a spray bottle of water and spray some in front of the fan every now and then.

last words

Unless I have to open them, I don’t usually worry too much about how quickly the engine cools down. But with the naked bike I always had to wait a bit before putting the cover over it so that the motor doesn’t come into contact with the nylon cover. I hope all of this answers your question and maybe some others as well.

I always try to keep my articles interesting and informative. And I’m always grateful when they are shared on social media platforms or Pinterest.

Whether you’re taking a road trip with your friends, storing your bike for the long term, or just hoping to protect your bike from Mother Nature’s wrath, a motorcycle cover is an essential piece of gear.

There are countless motorcycle covers to choose from. It could easily be argued that there are so many options that it’s hard to choose, but we’ve tried to help by narrowing the list down to three of our favorites.

First off, the Dowco Guardian Weatherall Plus motorcycle cover is considered the “premium” of the three options and costs around $90. The price changes a bit depending on which size you go for, which is pretty common for motorcycle covers.

The Dowco cover is my personal favorite and the most common choice among drivers here at RevZilla HQ.

The Dowco Guardian Weatherall Plus motorcycle cover has a size range from medium for Dynas, Sportster and older CB series motorcycles up to 3XL designed for the Honda Gold Wing. The sportbike size fits perfectly over a Yamaha YZF-R6 and even accommodates larger sportbikes like the Suzuki Hayabusa. Photo by Brandon Wise.

The Dowco cover has a durable 300 denier polyester construction with a special Color-Lok fabric treatment to resist fading. You’ll find heat-sealed, taped seams and of course it’s waterproof for excellent protection from the elements. Another nice feature of the Dowco cover is the Moisture GuardVent system, which prevents moisture and condensation from building up inside the cover. For added security, the Dowco cover features a sewn-in pocket that allows drivers to use the Guardian Alarm and a sewn-in hole that allows a wheel lock to pass through.

It also comes with a storage bag and a lifetime guarantee and is available in a range of sizes to fit a variety of bikes.

If you want to save a few bucks and still get a quality waterproof cover, check out the Tour Master Elite motorcycle cover. Manufactured from high quality 300 denier Carbolex, the Elite motorcycle cover is 100% waterproof with double stitched and taped seams. Carbolex is an extremely durable, water-resistant synthetic fabric made from incredibly strong and lightweight polyester fibers.

There are 1 inch grommets on both the front and back of the cover to accept a locking device. Photo by Brandon Wise

Similar to the previously discussed Dowco cover, the Elite motorcycle cover is also fully vented to prevent moisture and condensation from building up underneath. The heat panels protect the cover from the hottest parts of the bike, and the front and rear parts are covered with a protective fabric to prevent scratching the bodywork.

The Nelson Rigg Deluxe All Season Cover is the most economical of our three options, but is a good option for light to mild weather outdoors and for those looking for a compact cover that’s easy to transport.

The Nelson Rigg cover is made from a lightweight, UV treated Tri-Max polyester. Which is really just a fancy way of saying that the material doesn’t easily fade under the sun, it’s lightweight and it’s strong. You’ll also find heat-resistant bottom panels to protect the cover from those hot spots on the bike, a soft windshield liner to protect against scratches and tarnishes, and a resilient bottom with 1-inch center and front wheel grommets.

The Nelson Rigg All Season Cover is affordable yet comes with a two-year warranty. If I can get two years of good protection from a $40 cover, I’m perfectly fine with that. Photo by Brandon Wise.

Just a quick note, if you live somewhere with harsh weather conditions and plan on storing your bike for any length of time, I would recommend sticking with the Dowco or Tour Master covers. The Nelson Rigg cover just isn’t as sturdy as the previous options and it’s not technically waterproof, it’s water resistant.

Motorcycle Cover Features Key Features Dowco Tour Master Nelson Rig Waterproof X X Moisture Protection X X X Wheellock Passage X X UV Treated X X Heat Protection X X X Construction 300D Polyester 300D Carbolex® Tri-Max Polyester Warranty Lifetime One Year Two Years

Packability is another factor to consider when traveling and taking a cover with you, as storage space is often very limited. The Nelson Rigg Deluxe Cover comes with a compression bag and packs incredibly small. The Dowco Guardian Weatherall Plus motorcycle cover also comes with a compression bag and takes second place for packability.

While the Tour Master cover comes in third in terms of packability, I do want to point out that I only had a 2XL on hand to measure, so this isn’t an entirely fair comparison. That said, I think the compression bags that come with the Dowco and Nelson Rigg covers reduce volume better than the square bag that the Tour Master fits.

Frequently asked questions about motorcycle covers

Can I put on my motorcycle cover while my motorcycle is hot?

While many covers come with heat-resistant panels, it’s never a good idea to throw a cover on the bike before it has time to cool down.

Usually about 30 minutes is long enough to cool down a bike and put a cover on. Every bike is different and the outside temperature obviously has a big impact. So just use good judgment, be safe and just wait 30 minutes.

The Dowco cover uses a durable polyester with a special Color-Lok fabric treatment to resist fading. Photo by Brandon Wise

Which motorcycle cover do I need?

I have never bought a motorcycle specific cover that didn’t provide sufficient detail on what size to buy for your bike. In most cases, the size selection simply indicates which bike model it is designed for. If this is not the case, check the product details for more dimensional information.

If you have an extra tall windscreen or large cases on your Africa Twin, make sure your cover can accommodate these accessories before you just select “Adventure Touring” and think you’re done. Sometimes your bike model is listed, but you need larger coverage if you have additional accessories installed.

Cheap versus expensive construction: is it worth it?

I remember being a poor college kid and finally saving enough money to buy a used Kawasaki ZRX1100 that I had my eye on. At the time, I was living in the mountains of North Carolina, where the winters are pretty severe.

Not being equipped with a garage, I had to do something to protect the ZRX. I ran to Walmart, picked up a pretty cheap case, and I’m not kidding, I think the third time I threw it over the bike it ripped apart.

We all know the old adage, “You get what you pay for.” I wouldn’t say it’s always the case, but in my experience it’s true when it comes to motorcycle covers.

A motorcycle cover is a simple item that has a fairly simple job of protecting your bike. But premium covers generally offer longer life, better execution of the finer details, better fit, and greater waterproofing.

How long should a motorcycle cover last?

I have owned the Dowco Guardian Weatherall Plus motorcycle cover for about four years now and have never had any problems. While my bikes now have a nice, cozy garage to sleep in, my Dowco cover has seen torrential snow and rain during its time on Philly’s mean streets.

It’s difficult to determine how long your coverage should last as this will change dramatically from one rider to the next. What climate is it exposed to? Does the rider wait for the bike to cool down? Is the cover dry when stowed?

Why couldn’t the motorcycle stand up on its own? Because it was two tired. Photo by Brandon Wise.

Through the years of abuse, I’ve always made sure my case was dry before packing it. Maybe a few times I didn’t have that luxury when I was out and about, but that wasn’t very often and I always made sure to hang it up to dry as early as possible. This actually leads me to the next topic I wanted to cover and that is caring for your motorcycle cover.

Caring for your motorcycle cover

If your cover is looking a little dirty, here’s my approach to cleaning it. Personally, I recommend spot cleaning the cover rather than spraying the whole thing with soap. I don’t use harsh chemicals when cleaning your cover. Simply leave the detergent on the areas to be cleaned for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear. Then hang to dry.

Most of the time I find that a simple hand wash is enough to remove stains but if you want to use a brush make sure it’s very soft or alternatively you can use a terry towel so you don’t damage the cover’s waterproofing.

That last bit is pretty important. Don’t store your cover until it’s dry. If you’ve put away a wet tent without letting it dry, only to discover it a month later, you’re fully aware of the stinky mold that’s about to develop. This can also happen to your motorcycle cover and is no fun.

When you’ve finished cleaning your cover and have given it time to dry, it certainly doesn’t hurt to apply some waterproof spray to your cover. In general, you can find waterproof sprays in most department stores and we have a few on the website.

Conclusion: Choosing the right motorcycle cover for you

Know your climate, where your bike will be stored and how long it will live in that place. If your bike is going to be outdoors for a long period of time I would recommend getting something of a higher quality for better protection and longevity. If you typically store your bike in a garage and only need something for the occasional road ride, a cheaper option that’s low profile and packs well makes sense.

There are many options, so just focus on your needs. For me, for example, I want 100 percent waterproofing, a strong main construction, a nice fit, and a pass-through so I can add a lock. All of these features are very common among the options available in the market today. Other features are just nice-to-haves for me personally, but not absolutely necessary. Follow your own priorities to find the right motorcycle cover for you.

This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH. Michelle Driscoll is the owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016. This article has been viewed 203,867 times.

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To remove melted plastic or wax from a hard surface, first heat the substance with a hair dryer to soften it. Then scrape the stain with a knife and then remove any residue with a damp cloth. If that doesn’t work, allow the substance to cool and apply acetone to the stain to soften it again before scraping it off a second time with your knife. Before applying the acetone, it is best to try it on a hidden area of ​​the surface first to test the reaction! For tips on removing these stains from fabric or carpet, scroll down.