Check Latest Price. mojozone. In cases where new parts are too expensive, too difficult to find, or, impossible to find, you will need to restore what is already there. Retro-obsessed geeks have created a cheap, homemade solution for restoring old plastic. It has cracks and missing pieces. It was my first car, and it's… What is ABS used for? The goal is to break down the plastic just enough to even out the scratch and restore a seamless surface. When exposed to UV light, those bromine molecules can destabilize and leech through to the surface, causing the plastic to turn yellow (or even brown if left long enough). This is a welcome alternative to the time- and money-consuming task of installing a brand-new tub. This is a the proper way to restore plastic, the Body Shop way. Suitable for use on exterior trim, plastic and rubber surfaces. 0 #6 8 years ago. There are countless applications for ABS. And, that is assuming a new grille is available. ABS plastic is often used in the construction of mobile home bathtubs. To promote adhesion on plastics, such as ABS, PVC or other similar plastics, apply a medium wet coat of Sand Free. How to Reinforce Plastic. The bare plastic doesnt really get scratched up that bad, but even if it does, it wont look that noticeable as it will be scratching the plastic inside witch now matches the outside layer as it has been restored to black. Sunlight and Heat accelerate this process. Because plastic scratches easily, coarse sandpaper grits aren't recommended. Plastic can become scratched or stained quite easily and plastic polishing can restore it to its former glory. Restore Ugly, Faded Plastic to Its Former Shine Using Vaseline. 4/17/12 4:30PM. HOW-TO RESTORE OLD PLASTIC. If you've wound up with a scratch in a plastic countertop, your car, or some other surface, have no fear. (Avoid applying the first coat of Color Coat too heavily or sagging could occur.) prplehz 0 prplehz 0 Newbie; Members; 0 99 posts; Posted May 24, 2008. Accordin g to the Wikipedia page, ABS is a general plastic that is useful for its tough properties and ability to be shiny. For the past few months, I've been restoring the interior my 1983 Firebird TransAm. Easily fix your motorcycle fairing, cracked car bumper, plumbing leak or crack, RV holding tank and so much more with the Easy ABS Plastic Repair Kit. When you use acetone on ABS, you soften is and allow these polymer molecules to partially relax the stress resulting in a rough surface as the residual stress pulls molecules together creating a rough surface (this is a bit simplified). These characteristics lead to ABS being used in a large number of applications across a wide range of industries. It's been a while since my last post, so I thought I would get back into the groove with a very simple, but highly useful trick for reshaping ABS plastic parts. How to Remove Scratches from Plastic. Whitson Gordon. 3. Retrobright is a homebrew solution for restoring yellowed ABS plastic, which is usually what the cases of old computers and other gadgets were made of. (you want evaporating acetone vapor to do the work, not wet liquid) Press the sandpaper hard against the ABS surface to deform the surface - try for 20 seconds for a start. Then you ride it, and two weeks in, it looks like a tired old mule. Why Old Plastic Turns Yellow (and How You Can Make It White Again) This yellowing happens thanks to a flame retardant called bromine in those old ABS plastics. Turtle Wax Premium Grade Trim Restorer. When restoring older cars, it is often too expensive to replace a broken grille. - James. Linkedin® Pulse ® article by Terry Kuta. TL;DW? Welding joints and cracks actually make plastic stronger, allowing you to repair an object instead of spending money on a replacement. If you perfer the rubbing with blue jeans, and mop n glo way, your looking in the wrong spot. It is a hard, somewhat brittle plastic and is easily broken. Manufacturers add bromine to ABS plastic to act as flame retardant. One has already been flattened but was just as bad. The process uses peroxide and UV light (either a UVA bulb, or simple sunlight) to activate the reaction. I have a hard time answering because its not really something I can just tell them in a few words. For larger pieces or for more extensive repair, hot melt adhesive can be used. How to Remove Yellow Stains from Plastic. But even the most sturdy of materials can start to look old and worn out over time. The light gleaming off the carefully sculpted curves of the plastic bodywork is like art. Materials you need can be found at your local hardware, automotive or home improvement store. Using a kit, you will first remove the outer layer of your tub and then reapply a new coat. The best strategy is to begin wet sanding with 220-grit sandpaper and make additional passes with progressively finer paper until you're happy with the appearance. Hot melt adhesive or simply hot glue is really a plastic. Plastic is very brittle and prone to breaking. The ABS Grille on this 1971 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser is a good example. OP CAL. How is it Reversed? Turtle Wax is tops when it comes to protective products, and its plastic restorer is no exception. While numerous adhesives on the market work for plastics, not all are alike -- some that work on softer plastics such as polystyrene do not work properly on ABS plastic, and vice versa. Restoring and polishing plastic doesn't necessarily require specialty materials -- everyday inexpensive household items will do the job. Whether they're from foods, sunlight, or chemical reactions, yellow stains often show up on plastic. Plastic manufacturing companies have their own methods of polishing that cannot be copied at home due to the fact that they use very harsh chemicals, but the article below will share with you some very simple and basic ways to make plastic polishing an easy chore. As Sand Free evaporates, Color Coat is drawn into the surface, resulting in excellent adhesion. Restore Plastic Headlights or What Not To Do. 30. Reversing UV Damage on ABS Plastic: Like so many others, I have been in love with Star Wars since I first saw the movies as a child. ABS plastic is not typically used in high heat situations due to its low melting point. These are pictures of the huge plastics on the Hercules I restored last year. Go with salon developer cream, water, and sunlight. Many plastic parts are made from a plastic called ABS. Share this post. Both will restore black plastic trim pieces to their former glory while leaving a protective layer. Scuff marks and staining can lead an older plastic bathtub to look dirty and uninviting, and no amount of cleaning can improve the situation. Making plastic glossy is done by using a process called buffing to remove a dull finish and scratches that appear on a surface. Inactive member. The plastic's lightweight and durable properties make it easy to transport and install. While still wet, apply a light coat of Color Coat. You'll often find ABS, a rigid form of plastic, as trim on motorcycle or car bodies and RV holding tanks, as well as shower pans. If you have some vintage plastic items that are yellowed with age, they're not always destined for the curb. Peel back the sandpaper and immediately warm the spot with a hair dryer to evaporate any acetone from the plastic surface. People are always asking me “How do you restore plastic headlight lenses” or “What do you use to restore headlights”. These loves finally came together in the mid 2000's when I first met some members of the 501st Legion at a … In many cases, you can buff the scratch out with some simple polishing compound. Specification: Brand Armor All; 8. Over time, those chemicals react to the plastic's basic polymers and turn yellow. On Oct 28, 2019. My advice is be patient! One aesthetic concern that's remained constant in modern motorcycling is the eventual lack of OEM plastics for any given model. How to guide This question comes up a lot, and I see a lot of bad advice given. Its rigidity makes ABS plastic prone to cracking under force. Toothpaste. Retrobright (stylized as Retr0bright) is a chemical mixture used to remove yellowing from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic computer and electronics cases, including computers that were manufactured by Commodore and Apple in the 1980s and 1990s, and various video game consoles and cartridges. Bathtub refinishing kits provide most of the materials and tools you will need to restore your old plastic bathtub to its former glory. Restores plastic’s appearance to like-new tradition. Plastic bathtubs are designed to be particularly durable and long lasting if you take good care of them. Small pieces with clean breaks can often be super-glued much like reattaching a handle to a tea cup. You can restore hard plastics, such as acrylic and polycarbonate, by sanding them, and the procedure is similar to sanding a wood finish. Also you have dissolved and wiped away the dyes that make the plastic black at the surface. I also have a lifelong love for costuming. 0. IMG-20120217-00257.jpg IMG-20120217-00258.jpg. Oh, and they won’t damage paintwork if there’s any overspill. The 8-Bit Guy tried out variants of the solution for science. 0. Link to post Share on other sites. Now first off, I dont suggest grabbing your lightly scratched discontinued plastic to start with. I would comment that your directions for whitening ABS plastic is incomplete, and the directions may not be understood in the way you’ve presented them. This type of bathtub will withstand years of wear and tear, being resistant to most stains and requiring little work to clean and maintain. Sanding/restoring plastic. See More Reviews. Hello Frugal students! A Variety of Treatments To remove scratches from or restore plastic that has been damaged by exposure to the elements, including ultraviolet sunlight, you need a fine abrasive. When combined with exposure to UV light, either from a lamp or the sun, this concoction can remove the yellowing from old ABS plastic computer parts. 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