Any type of plastic, sooner or later, ends up cracking and discolouring due to exposure to the sun. Knowing this, you can preserve the items you care about by regularly using commercially available products to rehydrate plastic. To remedy the most serious damage, you can use hydrogen peroxide, but only if the object to be treated is white or gray. Take care of the plastic and you will see that you can make it look like new, but if after trying them all you do not get the desired results, repainting it is still a viable option.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Restore Plastic Using Commercial Products
Step 1. Wash the plastic surface and dry it
Dampen a microfiber cloth with warm water and use it to clean the plastic. This way you should be able to remove any dirt, dust, or other debris that can interfere with the cleaners. Before applying the rehydrating product, dry the surface well with a clean microfibre cloth.
For stubborn stains, clean the plastic with a mixture of approximately 145ml of any liquid laundry detergent and 470ml of warm water
Step 2. Put the product to rehydrate the plastic on the area to be treated
Purchase a specific product to rehydrate plastic and place a coin-sized amount on the item. This amount should be enough to cover about half of a car's dashboard or any smaller surface. Use even more, just enough to cover the entire damaged area.
- You can order this type of product online, but you should also be able to find it in DIY or auto parts stores.
- There are also kits to restore the plastic and, usually, in addition to the rehydrating product they also include swabs to apply it.
Step 3. Polish the plastic in a circular motion using a microfiber cloth
Use a clean, soft microfiber cloth to scrub the plastic with the rehydrating product in a circular motion until there is no trace left.
If you are concerned about the possibility of further discoloration of the plastic, test it by applying the product to a hidden area
Step 4. Once the rehydration product has dried, remove the excess with a cloth
If the treatment works, you will see that once the rehydrating product has penetrated the plastic, it will restore some of the color. The drying time is generally 10 minutes (or even less) so after this time you can remove the excess product left on the plastic.
Read how to use the product to find out the necessary drying time and any other specific indications to follow
Step 5. Apply a second coat if you see that the rehydrating product is absorbed quickly
Apply a second coat of product only if you notice that the plastic has absorbed it within 10 minutes. This means that the surface is not completely saturated with product and therefore adding more can help restore it to its original state. If, on the other hand, you see that it accumulates on the surface of the plastic, do not put more.
- Follow the instructions on the package if you want to apply the product several times. This operation could improve the condition of the plastic over time.
- If you see that the product builds up and doesn't seem to work, continuing to apply it will probably not be enough to restore the plastic.
Step 6. Use an abrasive paste to polish the plastic if you notice any scratches on the surface
Take a good look at the plastic because sun damage may have created ugly cracks on its surface. Purchase a specific abrasive product for polishing plastic, place an amount equal to the size of a coin on a cloth and work on the scratched area using circular movements.
- Abrasive pastes have different effectiveness. Some are designed to remove small scratches, others are effective on deeper cracks.
- Remember to always rub in circular motions because rubbing only on one area risks scraping off the plastic.
Step 7. Remove the abrasive paste with a microfiber cloth
Using a cloth, remove all traces of product from the area you treated. It needs to be removed completely before moving on or else it will continue to erode your item.
Step 8. Spray a polish product
Almost all polishing products are in spray format and this makes them easy to apply. In fact, just spray it by directing the jet of the nozzle on the plastic surface and spread a thin and uniform layer of product on it.
If you buy a non-spray polish, spread a light coat over the item using a microfiber cloth
Step 9. Let the polish soak into the plastic
Use a microfiber cloth to even out the product layer and ensure it is absorbed by the plastic. For best results, continue polishing the surface in circular motions. When finished, the plastic should shine and look better than when you started.
If you notice any polish residue, simply wipe it off with the cloth
Method 2 of 3: Whiten White Plastic Using Hydrogen Peroxide
Step 1. Put on protective gloves and goggles
Hydrogen peroxide can irritate the skin, therefore, for your safety, when using creams of this type always wear gloves and also a pair of protective goggles (or simple goggles) to shield your eyes.
Wearing long-sleeved clothing can also help prevent accidents
Step 2. Remove colored labels and decals or cover them with masking tape
Hydrogen peroxide is only effective if white or gray colored plastic needs to be restored. Remove or cover any colored elements you want to preserve. You can use clear office tape or paper tape to protect them.
- If you can, remove these items before treating the plastic.
- Make sure the tape adheres well to the surface and insulates the area you want to protect.
Step 3. Using a brush, apply hydrogen peroxide cream to the discolored area
Use 12% hydrogen peroxide cream instead of the liquid one sold in many stores and, with a brush (with bristles or foam), apply a layer to the area to be treated. If you don't have one, an old toothbrush will do as well.
- The hydrogen peroxide cream is like a gel, so it is very easy to spread on the discolored part without damaging the rest of the object.
- It is used to dye hair, so you can easily find it in the appropriate coloring product kits or you can buy it from the hairdresser.
Step 4. Put the item in a plastic bag and close it tightly
If your item is small enough, put it inside a zip-lock bag such as resealable food bags, which you can buy at many supermarkets. For the bigger ones you can use the transparent garbage bags. Put the object in the bag and close it (with the zip or by tying a knot) to prevent the cream from drying completely.
- The garbage bag must be transparent so that sunlight can pass through, otherwise the lotion will dry out without affecting the damage caused by the sun to the plastic.
- Check that the cream is not already drying out. Remove it with some water and add more, just enough so that it doesn't damage the plastic.
Step 5. Expose the bag to direct sunlight for 4 hours
If possible, find an outdoor place to put the item. It's best if you leave it in direct sunlight, but not on a hot surface like asphalt. Sunlight usually discolors plastic, but it can also help remedy the damage, as long as you coat objects made of this material with hydrogen peroxide cream.
A table or a stone surface are the ideal places to put the object. Make sure that once there no one touches him
Step 6. Check the bag and rotate it every hour
Check every hour that the cream on your object is still damp (if the bag has been closed tightly it probably will be) and rotate it, so that within 4 hours all the discolored areas receive the same amount of light.
- Attention: during the day the position of sunlight and shade may change.
- Check for holes in the bag. If so, add more cream before the old layer dries and move it to a second bag.
Step 7. Remove the cream with some water before it dries
Dampen a rag (any one, as long as it is clean) with warm water and remove all the cream well, rinsing it as often as necessary because, if you leave even a slight trace of it, it will dry up and will eventually leave ugly marks on the plastic.
Be careful when cleaning delicate items such as electronic devices: avoid using too much water and make sure the rag is not soaked
Step 8. Repeat cleaning until the plastic regains its original appearance
You may need to repeat the treatment one more time before the plastic returns to its normal state. Add more hydrogen peroxide, put the item in a bag, leave it in the sun again and, between treatments, always remove the cream with a little water.
Once finished, remove the masking tape you used and apply a specific polish if you want your plastic item to shine
Method 3 of 3: Repaint the Plastic with Spray Paint
Step 1. Clean the plastic with soap and water
You can use your usual liquid laundry detergent to do this. Try mixing about 145ml of detergent in 470ml of hot water. Soap the item and then rinse it with the watering hose or using a damp cloth.
Wash the plastic thoroughly before trying to restore it because the products you are going to use work best on clean surfaces
Step 2. Dry the plastic with a microfiber cloth
Use a cloth to scrub the plastic to dry and clean the surface of dirt and other debris. Make sure it is completely dry before continuing.
You can let the plastic air dry, but the longer you wait, the more dust and debris will settle on it
Step 3. Sand the surface using 220 to 320 grit sandpaper
Be very gentle in using sandpaper, to avoid scratching the plastic, and sand the surface using circular movements. Once finished, remove debris with a clean microfiber cloth.
You can also avoid sanding, but if the surface is a little rough, the paint will adhere better to the plastic
Step 4. Use a universal cleaner to remove stubborn grease
A simple washing with soap and water can leave greasiness that can interfere with the paint, so clean the plastic again using a universal cleaner or degreaser to spread over the surface using a soft microfiber cloth.
- Universal cleaners are effective against grease that can deposit on the most exposed plastic surfaces (such as those of cars).
- Another option is to use disinfectant alcohol, which is excellent against grease residues.
Step 5. Mark off the discolored area with painter's tape
To avoid staining the areas you do not want to paint with, it is better to protect them by delimiting the area to be treated.
- Painter's tape was designed for this, but you can very well use different types of tapes, such as paper.
- You can purchase painter's tape at many DIY and hardware stores.
Step 6. Put on a pair of gloves and a face mask
If you don't want to paint your hands, before starting, put on a pair of gloves and a mask that will protect you from the risk of breathing in the fumes of the paint or coloring product. Also, if you are working indoors, keep the doors and windows around the work area open.
Wearing long-sleeved clothing will also help protect your skin. Choose old clothes that you don't mind staining
Step 7. Cover the discolored area with spray paint
Choose a specific spray paint for plastic and the color of your choice. Apply a homogeneous layer over the entire discolored area by moving back and forth with the spray can and overlap several layers to cover the entire surface.
- For greater effectiveness, apply a coat of primer first. This is usually not necessary, but it will ensure that the paint adheres to the plastic.
- You can also use products to paint car finishes. Put a few drops on the plastic, then spread the color with a foam brush.
- You can paint the object any color you want, but you could also choose one that is identical to the one it had before.
Step 8. Let the color dry for 30 minutes
Give the paint time to dry completely before applying another coat. Depending on the weather conditions you may have to wait a little longer for it to be dry to the touch.
Step 9. Apply more coats of varnish if necessary
You will probably need to apply a second coat of paint by repeating the various steps and letting it dry again. If it doesn't look solid and even, applying multiple layers won't hurt. Once finished let it dry, remove the tape and enjoy the new color.
