Restoring faded plastics

We all know that exposed plastic parts fade over time ... the instrument panel, switches, etc. ... becoming grey or white.

I'd like to know if there're any tips or tricks for restoring the colour of these faded parts ... other than painting them (which may work for some parts, but will just wear off on switches and such like).

Thanks! :laugh:

"Back to Black" works pretty well on faded black and dark gray plastic stuff.Have to keep applying it as it will wash /fade off after awhile.

Found a "recipe" on Yahoo Answers for this problem using linseed oil and methylated spirits.

I used this on my switchblocks in a ratio of 2 parts linseed to 1 part methylated. Brush onto parts, let it soak in for a day or two, wipe off and repeat over time (I did mine for two weeks). Unlike paint, it seems the plastic absorbs the mix and brings back the colour.

See attached before and after photos of my restored switchblock (Z1A)

Cheers

RussellP wrote: Found a "recipe" on Yahoo Answers for this problem using linseed oil and methylated spirits.

I used this on my switchblocks in a ratio of 2 parts linseed to 1 part methylated. Brush onto parts, let it soak in for a day or two, wipe off and repeat over time (I did mine for two weeks). Unlike paint, it seems the plastic absorbs the mix and brings back the colour.

See attached before and after photos of my restored switchblock (Z1A)

Cheers

What am I missing here? That housing is metal not plastic. Ed

650ed wrote: What am I missing here? That housing is metal not plastic. Ed

+1

Anyway.....for PLASTIC you can use a product called MX Plastic Restore or something like that. I used it on the BUTTON of my switch housings. Some guys have had luck with Mop & Glow on plastics too. They are all temporary fixes, just like polishing aluminum, it will dull over time.

BTW - I've restored switch housings too if you need tips/photos of that.

Actually, I've had reasonably good luck re-capturing the 'black' in plastics just using ArmorAll. However, as has been mentioned by KidKawie, the process has to be repeated every so often.

RussellP wrote: Found a "recipe" on Yahoo Answers for this problem using linseed oil and methylated spirits.

I used this on my switchblocks in a ratio of 2 parts linseed to 1 part methylated. Brush onto parts, let it soak in for a day or two, wipe off and repeat over time (I did mine for two weeks). Unlike paint, it seems the plastic absorbs the mix and brings back the colour.

See attached before and after photos of my restored switchblock (Z1A)

Cheers

It's a revelation! A miracle! you forgot to take the tag off :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

z1kzonly wrote:

RussellP wrote: Found a "recipe" on Yahoo Answers for this problem using linseed oil and methylated spirits.

I used this on my switchblocks in a ratio of 2 parts linseed to 1 part methylated. Brush onto parts, let it soak in for a day or two, wipe off and repeat over time (I did mine for two weeks). Unlike paint, it seems the plastic absorbs the mix and brings back the colour.

See attached before and after photos of my restored switchblock (Z1A)

Cheers

It's a revelation! A miracle! you forgot to take the tag off :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I found that 12 year old Balvenie single malt Scotch works well too. I tried some while just looking at the car in the first picture below and before I finished the second helping it looked like the car in the second picture below. Of course the next morning it changed back somehow.

650Ed,

Sincere apologies if you were mislead - the whole switchblocks were shown just to show what the before and after results were. Take a look at the kill switch for a plastic restoration result.

I believe the kill switch and light switch are plastic, unless you know something I don't.

Pity the Scotch effect is only temporary

It seems the general idea is that old plastics can be temporarily restored with some form of oil or wax ... but as it wears off / washes out / dries up, the faded plastic becomes apparent again.

Still, worth a shot to see which works best

Thanks all!