From rust bucket to mirror shine.
A 2000 K2 Kickboard Pro, the three-wheeled scooter with the twin front wheels. This one had been left outside and was in quite a sorry state: corroded fork, perished wheels, grimy deck and a badge that had seen better days.
Over a couple of months it came completely apart. Some parts were replaced, everything else was soaked and cleaned, and then came the big job: sanding and polishing the aluminium back to sparkling. Every photo from the restoration is below, in order.
What I started with
Here’s what I started with. The Kickboard had been left outside and was in quite a sorry state.
From a distance it still looked like a Kickboard. Up close, the aluminium had gone dull and chalky, the springs and bolts on the front fork were corroded, the wheels were worn and discoloured, and the deck was scuffed and grimy, with the K-K Kickboard logo only just hanging on. The K2 badge on the fork was crusty and peeling.
Some parts needed replacing
Once it was apart, it was clear some parts needed to be replaced. These two were too far gone to save.
Some cleaned
Everything else got cleaned. The bolts went in for a soak, and the fender, bushings, springs and screws were cleaned up and laid out ready to go back on.
Looking a lot better already
The front end went back together with new clear wheels and red springs, and everything was looking a lot better already.
Next the old grip tape came off the deck, ready for fresh grip later on.
Back to sparkling
This was the big one. A huge amount of work was required sanding and polishing the aluminium back to sparkling.
The fork casting took the longest: sanded and polished on an old towel, a bit shinier every session, until the dull grey had turned into a proper mirror finish.
All put back together
Everything looking fresh, all put back together: polished fork and fender, clear wheels, red springs and new black grip on the deck.
The badge
Then a bit of work on the decal / badge. It is, after all, iconic.
It started worn and crusty. I took it back to bare metal, then filled the background black again so the K2 stood out like it should.
Finished, with a mini me
Finished. Badge back on the fork, aluminium shining and rolling again.
And for the photos it got some company: a K2 Kickboard fingerboard toy, still in its blister pack.
