Cleaning faded plastics.

[Charlie1124]

So I was reading about restoring old plastics. N set my phone down. 4yr old daughter grabbed it and now I cannot find that page again. I know this topic has been beat to death. But I got to thinking. Aside from the normal mentioned methods.. scrapping chalky fade away and never dull. Wet sanding n clear. Boiled linseed n lacquer thinner. Has anyone found. "redneck" home remedy? Iv tried tooth paste. No luck. Tried several industrial cleaners. No luck . Have not been able to get to town to get supplies.

 

[Ronie]

I found this awhile back when I was looking around on youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5JLhBEcROc

 

[Ronie]

 

[Yukon Stihl]

I dyed some faded Stihl with orange dye.Brought back the color but not any shine.Still experimenting for the shine.

 

[blsnelling]

So I was reading about restoring old plastics. N set my phone down. 4yr old daughter grabbed it and now I cannot find that page again. I know this topic has been beat to death. But I got to thinking. Aside from the normal mentioned methods.. scrapping chalky fade away and never dull. Wet sanding n clear. Boiled linseed n lacquer thinner. Has anyone found. "redneck" home remedy? Iv tried tooth paste. No luck. Tried several industrial cleaners. No luck . Have not been able to get to town to get supplies.

There is no magic trick. You have to get rid of that top layer of faded out plastic.

 

[Jeff Lary]

I put one of my partners one piece at a time in the sink and run some warm water over it while using 600 grit wet dry it worked great. Then I sprayed clear coat from a rattle can on the parts good to go.

 

[caffeine1fg]

I put one of my partners one piece at a time in the sink and run some warm water over it while using 600 grit wet dry it worked great. Then I sprayed clear coat from a rattle can on the parts good to go.

I hope you show us your Partner when you get it all prettied up.

 

[Threewood]

I used a heat gun on my trashcan 660 which was faded. Brought back the color but not the gloss.

 

[Jeff Lary]

here are some before and after. The plastic top cover was wet sanded the metal parts were sanded primed and painted. I had Sugar Creek make decals but I don't have any pictures after the new decals were installed

 

[caffeine1fg]

That Partner turned out nice, Jeff. Once the decals are on it'll look purt neat mint.

 

[Big Red Oaks 4 me]

I do know that some strong de-greasing detergents will make some saw plastics look dry and faded. I try not to use those when cleaning a "gunky" saw.

 

[SteveSr]

There is no magic trick. You have to get rid of that top layer of faded out plastic.

What Brad said... The plastic actually decomposes on the surface due to sun / UV exposure. Take you fingernail and you can probably scrape some off. The only permanent solution is to remove/sand the decayed plastic and then re-cover with a clear coat to bring out the shine. BTW, rattle can clear is NOT resistant to fuel/oil. You need a 2-part polymerizing product.

 

[Charlie1124]

If I recall right. Dupi color makes a 2 part clear. Has to be sprayed out of paint gun. Im pretty sure I sprayed my 73 amc javelin with it

 

[Jasonrkba]

Maybe some of the headlight restoration products would work.

 

[blackoak]

The best I have found for restoring faded plastic is Radnor mig welding gun nozzle gel the anti spatter gel . One day I had used a rag to wipe up some excess gel. Later I picked up this rag to wipe off one of my saws and noticed that it brought the color back out on the saw. If you have any try it. Rub it on let it sit for a minute or two then use a clean rag to buff it out. I would think any brand of this type of anti spatter gel would work, not just Radnor brand.

 

[Jasonrkba]

Nice find. I've herd deep woods off is another one, never tried it though.

 

[blackoak]

I have used deep woods off on some faded out headlight lense and it does work on them.

 

[SteveSr]

Nice find. I've herd deep woods off is another one, never tried it though.

Be careful! Insect repellent contains the chemical DEET which is know to attack plastics!

 

[Jeff Lary]

and black flies!

 

[Jasonrkba]

Be careful! Insect repellent contains the chemical DEET which is know to attack plastics!

I had to look this up and you are indeed correct. Id never herd this but according google deet will melt plastic.

Thank you sir.