When a plastic surface becomes dull, it is important to clean it for both aesthetic and functional reasons. For example, yellowing car headlights can impair the ability to drive safely at night, while the blender's plastic cups and bowl are hateful to see when they lose their transparency. To clean opaque plastic, first apply a mixture of water and detergent. If that's not enough, you can dip it in or pass a solution of vinegar, baking soda, and water. Highly matted headlights may require a sanding and polishing process with a random orbital polisher.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Clean the Blender's Plastic Jugs and Jug
Step 1. Dip the glasses in the vinegar
Fill a small container (or sink) with white vinegar. Soak the opaque glasses for five minutes. Remove them and check the result.
Step 2. Spread the baking soda over the vinegar-soaked glasses
If soaking in vinegar wasn't enough to make them shine again, sprinkle them with a handful of baking soda. Alternatively, pour the baking soda onto a damp sponge and scrub them. Together with the vinegar it will react by dissolving the opaque patina that covers the surface.
Step 3. Use a vinegar and water solution
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. For example, if you have a lot of plastic items to polish, you could fill the sink with a quart of vinegar and a quart of water. Put them in the mixture and leave them to soak for an hour.
- Rub them with a damp cloth until they lighten;
- If they have lost their matte patina, rinse them in the sink under hot water. Dry them with a soft cloth.
Step 4. Use a baking soda paste
Instead of using baking soda and vinegar, mix equal parts water and baking soda until you get a paste. For example, you could combine a tablespoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of water. Pat a paper towel dry. Apply the paste to a small area in smooth, circular motions.
As the paste removes the opaque veil from the inside of the blender or glasses, you will see the napkin darken due to the dirt residue it gradually absorbs
Step 5. Try a lemon juice blend
Combine the juice of one lemon and two tablespoons of baking soda. Fill the opaque container to the brim with water. If you need to clean the blender jar, turn the blender on at maximum power for a few seconds, then turn it off and remove the blades (if any). Without removing the lemon juice solution, scrub the inside of the glass or jug with a non-abrasive sponge or microfiber cloth. Discard the mixture when the container is shiny again.
Method 2 of 3: Clean your car headlights with vinegar and baking soda
Step 1. Clean the headlights with soap and water
Fill a spray bottle with a few drops of mild liquid soap and water. Spray the headlights with this mixture. Alternatively, you can fill a bucket with soapy water, soak a clean cloth inside, then wipe it when wet.
Step 2. Make a vinegar and baking soda solution
Pour a few tablespoons of baking soda into a bowl. After that, add a few tablespoons of vinegar. The baking soda and vinegar, once mixed, will produce an effervescent reaction.
It is not necessary to accurately measure the doses of baking soda and vinegar. Just mix them in approximately equal quantities
Step 3. Clean the headlights using the mixture you have prepared
Dip a clean cloth inside. Scrub the headlights in the same linear motion you used when you washed them with soapy water. The mixture will help lighten dirty and yellowed plastic.
- Don't worry about getting hurt when you dip your hand into the bubbly blend. The solution of vinegar and baking soda does not harm the skin.
- When you have finished cleaning the headlights, wipe them with a damp cloth or slightly wet sponge.
Method 3 of 3: Clean the Dull Headlights with the Polisher
Step 1. Dip the sandpaper in the water
Before cleaning the dull headlights, put the sandpaper in the water. You should get a 1000 sheet of sandpaper and another 2000 or 3000 sandpaper. Leave them to soak for 15 minutes.
Step 2. Mark the area around the headlights with blue tape
Before cleaning, you need to protect the car body around the headlights with paint tape. It is usually blue, although you can find it in other colors, and it works just like regular duct tape. Apply it to cover the edges around the headlight you want to clean.
Step 3. Spray a soap and water solution onto the headlight
Fill a spray bottle with water and some car cleaner. Liberally spray the headlights with the mixture you made. Alternatively, you can dip a cloth in the soapy water and wipe it over the headlight.
Step 4. Smooth
Spray the soap and water solution and scrub the 1000 grit paper at the same time. Move from one side of the headlight to the other applying steady, even pressure. Continue to spray the mixture thoroughly.
Step 5. Check
After polishing the entire surface, wipe it with a clean, dry towel. Look carefully at the headlight: it must be free of scratches and marks. The plastic will still have a dull appearance. If scratches and scratches are still visible, spray more water and continue sanding with 1000 sanding paper.
Step 6. Spray more soapy solution
Spray the headlight with more soapy water. Alternatively, you can wipe with a sponge soaked in soapy water.
Step 7. Use fine grit sandpaper
Continue to spray the soapy water on the lighthouse. Use 2000 or 3000 sandpaper to further reduce the dull patina covering the headlight. With one hand, sand it from side to side, while with the other you continue to spray the solution.
Step 8. Check the result
Once the finer grit sandpaper has been applied to the entire surface of the headlight, wipe it with a clean cloth. At this point, it should look even and slightly dull.
If it doesn't look even, wipe the 2000 or 3000 sandpaper again while sprinkling the soapy water
Step 9. Polish
Apply two small nuts of a normal polishing paste to a random orbital polisher equipped with an eight-centimeter pad. Wipe the swab on the headlight before turning on the polisher. Then, set it in motion by selecting a speed of 1500-1800 rpm and slowly move the pad along the surface.
- Apply light pressure when using the polisher pad;
- This step will remove any traces of opacity left over from sanding.
Step 10. Do another check
If the first coat of polishing paste did not improve the appearance of the headlight, wait a few moments to allow the surface to cool. Apply two more small nuts of polish to the pad, then turn the polisher back on.
Step 11. Apply a product designed for the final finish
This way, you will further brighten the exterior of the lighthouse. If the polish was successful, apply two small knobs of finish polish to a clean eight-centimeter pad. As before, pass it on the headlight before turning on the polisher at a speed of 1200-1500 rpm. Then turn it on and move it slowly and evenly over the entire surface.
- When finished, wipe with a dry cloth. Remove the blue tape you applied along the edges of the lighthouse.
- At this point, any opacity should have disappeared giving way to a shiny, shiny beacon. If any traces remain, apply another coat of finishing polish and wipe with a clean cloth.
