Finding a decent set of 1986 honda fourtrax 350 plastics is a bit like hunting for a needle in a haystack, except the haystack is thirty-eight years old and most of the needles have already snapped in half. If you own one of these legendary machines, you already know the deal. The 1986 TRX350 was a beast—Honda's first real 4WD utility ATV—and it was built like a literal tank. The engine might run forever, but the bodywork? That's a different story. Decades of sun exposure, trail brush, and the occasional rollover tend to turn that iconic red plastic into something brittle and faded.
If you're staring at a cracked fender or a missing side cover, you've probably realized that keeping these old workhorses looking good is a labor of love. It's not just about aesthetics, though. Good plastics keep the mud off your boots and protect the sensitive internals from the elements. Let's talk about what it takes to find, fix, or replace the bodywork on this specific vintage rig.
Why the 1986 Model is a Special Case
You can't just swap parts from a 300 Fourtrax and call it a day. The 1986 350 was its own animal. Because it was the first of its kind, Honda was still figuring out the layout. The fuel tank is actually under the seat, and what looks like a gas tank is actually a plastic cover hiding the airbox and some electronics. This means the 1986 honda fourtrax 350 plastics have specific mounting points and shapes that don't play nice with later models.
The "tank" cover is usually the first thing to go. It gets leaned on, sat on, and bumped into. Then you've got the massive front and rear fenders. In '86, Honda used a specific shade of red that's notoriously hard to match perfectly with modern paints. If you find an original set in good condition, you're basically looking at a gold mine. Most of what's left out there is either "pink" from sun bleaching or held together by "drift stitches" (zip ties).
Finding Replacement Plastics
So, where do you actually go when yours are beyond saving? You've got a few paths, and none of them are particularly cheap or easy, but they're worth it if you want to restore the bike's dignity.
The Aftermarket Route
For a long time, Maier was the go-to for aftermarket 1986 honda fourtrax 350 plastics. They make vacuum-formed polyethylene fenders that are tough as nails. They aren't an exact 1:1 replica of the OEM shape—the lines are a bit smoother and less "boxy"—but they fit well and look great from five feet away. The downside? They can be pricey. However, when you consider the time you'd spend sanding and welding old cracked plastic, buying a new set of Maier fenders often starts to look like a bargain.
The Used Market Scavenge
If you're a purist and want that original Honda look, you're going to be spending a lot of time on eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Look for "part out" listings. Pro tip: search for "TRX350 parts" rather than just the plastics. Sometimes you'll find a guy selling a blown-up engine who happens to have a decent set of fenders sitting on the frame. Be prepared to pay for shipping, though. Shipping an ATV fender is basically like shipping a refrigerator box full of air; it gets expensive fast.
Restoration Techniques for Old Fenders
If your 1986 honda fourtrax 350 plastics are still in one piece but just look like garbage, you might be able to save them. It's a workout, but it's satisfying.
The Heat Gun Trick (Proceed with Caution)
You've probably seen videos of people using a torch or a heat gun to bring the color back to faded plastics. It works by drawing the oils back to the surface. It's like magic for about five minutes, but be careful. If you overdo it, the plastic becomes even more brittle than it was before. It's a temporary fix that can lead to white stress marks later on. If you do use heat, use it sparingly and follow up with a good plastic conditioner.
Sanding and Polishing
This is the "right" way to do it. You start with a heavy grit sandpaper (maybe 220 or 400) to get through the oxidized "chalky" layer. Then you work your way up—600, 800, 1000, all the way to 2000 grit wet sanding. By the time you get to the fine stuff, the red will start to look deep and rich again. Finish it off with a plastic polishing compound and a buffing wheel. It takes a weekend of elbow grease, but your 1986 Honda will look like it just rolled off the showroom floor.
Dealing with Cracks and Breaks
Let's talk about "plastic welding." Since the 1986 honda fourtrax 350 plastics are made of polypropylene or similar thermoplastics, you can actually melt them back together.
I've had great luck using a cheap soldering iron and some donor plastic. If you have a hidden spot under the seat, snip a small piece of plastic off to use as your "welding rod." This ensures the color and material match perfectly. Melt a V-groove into the crack, then melt your donor plastic into that groove. For extra strength, you can embed some stainless steel mesh into the back of the repair. It's not always pretty, but it's a hell of a lot stronger than glue or epoxy, which usually just pops off the first time the fender flexes.
Painting: The Last Resort
I generally tell people to avoid painting their 1986 honda fourtrax 350 plastics if they can help it. ATVs live in a world of vibration, fuel spills, and flying rocks. Most paint just can't handle that environment and will start peeling within a season, making the bike look worse than it did when it was faded.
However, if the plastic is stained or you're doing a full custom build, there are some decent options now. Krylon Fusion and some of the specialized automotive plastic paints are much better than they used to be. The secret is the prep. You need a specialized plastic adhesion promoter. Without it, the paint is just a ticking time bomb of flakes and chips.
Keeping Them Looking Good
Once you've gone through the trouble of sourcing or restoring your 1986 honda fourtrax 350 plastics, you want them to stay that way. The biggest enemy is UV light. If you can, store your Honda inside a garage or shed. If it has to stay outside, get a heavy-duty cover.
Also, watch out for what you use to clean it. Avoid harsh degreasers that can strip the oils out of the plastic. I'm a big fan of using a dedicated silicone-based detailer (like SC1 or similar "new bike in a can" products). It creates a sacrificial layer that makes mud slide right off and gives the red that deep, wet look that we all love.
The Value of the Effort
You might wonder if it's worth spending $500 on aftermarket fenders or twenty hours sanding old ones for a quad that's nearly forty years old. But the 1986 Fourtrax 350 is a legend for a reason. It's the bike that started the utility 4x4 revolution. When you see one of these with clean, shiny 1986 honda fourtrax 350 plastics, it commands respect on the trail. It shows that the owner knows what they have—a piece of off-road history that's still more reliable than half the stuff being built today.
Whether you're doing a concours-level restoration or just trying to keep your work rig from falling apart, taking care of the bodywork is the best way to honor that old Honda. It's a bit of a project, sure, but once you're cruising through the woods and that bright red plastic is gleaming in the sun, you'll be glad you put in the work.