All plastic exposed to sunlight will eventually crack and change color. You can protect your valuables by applying commercial conditioner regularly. If the damage is severe, you can restore it using hydrogen peroxide, but only use it on white or gray products. If nothing else works, you can repaint. Take good care of your plastic items and restore them to look like new.
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Method 1 of 3: Using Commercial Recovery Products
Step 1. Wash and dry the plastic surface
Use a microfiber cloth moistened with warm water to clean the plastic. This will remove dust, dirt, and other debris that could interfere with the performance of the cleaning product. Wipe the plastic surface completely dry with a clean microfiber cloth before applying conditioner.
On stubborn stains, clean the plastic using a mixture of 20 ml liquid detergent and 500 ml warm water
Step 2. Apply plastic conditioner to the area to be treated
Purchase a conditioner specifically designed for plastic. Apply a coin-sized amount of conditioner to the plastic product. This amount is enough to handle half the dashboard of a car or other smaller object. Apply more conditioner as needed to cover the entire damaged area.
- You can buy plastic conditioner on the internet. You can also get it at a hardware or auto parts store.
- You can also purchase plastic recovery products in kit form. This kit contains conditioner and pads for applying it.
Step 3. Rub the plastic with a microfiber cloth using a circular motion
Use a soft, clean microfiber cloth. Rub the microfiber cloth in circular motions until the conditioner is no longer visible on the plastic surface.
If you're afraid the plastic will fade, test the conditioner in a hidden area first
Step 4. Wipe off any remaining conditioner after it dries
Most conditioners dry in 10 minutes or less. If the treatment works well, the conditioner will seep into the plastic and restore its color. Wipe off any conditioner that has accumulated on top of the plastic afterwards.
Be sure to consult the product manufacturer's instructions for the required drying time and any other special instructions
Step 5. Apply a second coat if the conditioner gets absorbed quickly
Use a second coat only if the conditioner is fully absorbed by the plastic within 10 minutes. This means that the plastic is not completely saturated so you can help restore it by applying a second conditioner. Do not add conditioner if there is still a lot of conditioner on the plastic surface.
- Follow the manufacturer's directions if you want to add an extra layer. Over time, this can restore the condition of the plastic.
- If the conditioner just clumps and doesn't seem to have any effect, maybe applying a second coat won't be able to restore the condition of the plastic.
Step 6. Use a plastic polishing product to treat scratches
Watch the plastic carefully because exposure to the sun can cause unsightly cracks. Take a polishing product specifically designed for plastics and apply it to the washcloth in an amount the size of a coin. Scrub the strokes using a circular motion.
- Glossy products are available in a variety of strengths. Some of them are designed to handle light scratches, while others are very effective at removing deep scratches.
- Always wipe in a circular motion. If you rub the area, the plastic will scrape off
Step 7. Clean the polishing product using a microfiber cloth
Wipe the newly treated area with a cloth to remove any product that is still on the plastic. Remove any remaining polish before you proceed so that the product doesn't continue to scrape off your plastic items.
Step 8. Spray plastic polish
Most plastic polish products are packaged in a spray form which makes it easy for you to use. Move the nozzle across the plastic surface while spraying it. Spread the product thinly and evenly on the plastic surface.
If you don't have a spray product, apply a small amount of plastic polish to a microfiber cloth
Step 9. Rub the polish on the plastic
Use a microfiber cloth to evenly coat the polish and rub it all over the plastic. For best results, continue to polish the plastic in a circular motion. When it's finished, the plastic will shine and look much better than before.
If any of the polish remains on the plastic, wipe and clean with a cloth
Method 2 of 3: Bleaching Plastic Using Hydrogen Peroxide
Step 1. Put on safety glasses and plastic gloves
Hydrogen peroxide can irritate the skin. For your own safety, always wear gloves when handling whitening creams. You should also wear safety glasses to protect your eyes.
You should also wear long sleeves to avoid accidents
Step 2. Remove or cover colored labels or stickers on plastic objects with tape
Hydrogen peroxide can only be used to recover plastic that is gray or white in color. Remove or mask the colored areas that you want to keep. You can use clear tape or paper tape to cover it.
- If possible, remove these components before you handle plastic.
- Make sure the tape is flat against the plastic surface so that it covers the area you want to protect.
Step 3. Apply hydrogen peroxide cream on the discolored area
Use a 12% hydrogen peroxide cream instead of the liquid that is often sold in stores. Next, apply the cream evenly on the area. You can use a paint brush or a foam brush. If you don't have both, just use an old toothbrush.
- Hydrogen peroxide cream is in a gel form so it spreads easily on discolored plastic without damaging other parts.
- This cream is usually used to color hair. You can get it easily at stores that sell hair polish and hair salons.
Step 4. Put the item in a plastic bag
If the item is small, put it in a plastic clip bag or sandwich bag, usually used in grocery stores. If the item is large, you can use a clear trash bag. Put your item in a plastic bag, then seal it tightly or tie the ends to prevent the cream from drying out.
- You'll need to use a clear trash bag so that the sun's rays can penetrate, or the cream will dry without repairing any damage to plastic exposed to the sun.
- Make sure the cream has not dried. Rinse and add more cream as needed to avoid staining the plastic.
Step 5. Place the plastic bag under direct sunlight for 4 hours
If possible, place the bag outdoors. You should place it in direct sunlight, but not on a hot surface, such as asphalt. While sunlight usually changes the color of plastic, the damage can be reversed as long as the plastic object has been coated with hydrogen peroxide cream.
The ideal place to put plastic items is a table or stone surface. Make sure the item is not disturbed by anything
Step 6. Check the plastic bag and rotate it every hour
Check your plastic items every hour to see if the cream is still damp. If the plastic bag is tightly closed, the cream may still be wet. Take the time to flip the plastic so that the sun's rays can hit the discolored area evenly within 4 hours.
- Sunlight and shade can vary throughout the day. So you should always check it.
- Look for holes in the plastic bag. If there is, add more cream before the first layer dries, then transfer the plastic object to a new bag.
Step 7. Wipe off the cream before it dries
Wet a clean cloth with warm water. You can use any available fabric. Wipe off all the cream, and rinse off the washcloth if needed. Make sure all remaining cream has been removed, as drying cream can leave ugly stains on the plastic surface.
Be careful when cleaning sensitive objects such as electronic devices. Don't use a lot of water, and make sure the cloth doesn't get soaked
Step 8. Repeat cleaning as necessary to restore plastic condition
You may have to repeat the cleaning to get the plastic back to normal. Add more hydrogen peroxide, put the plastic item in a plastic bag, and dry it in the sun again. Always wipe off the cream every time you do a cleanse.
When you're done, remove all the tape you've attached. Next, you can apply polish to make the plastic item shiny
Method 3 of 3: Repainting
Step 1. Wash plastic items using soap and water
You can use regular liquid detergent to do this. Mix about 20 ml of detergent with 500 ml of hot water. Apply the soap solution, then rinse with water from a hose or a damp cloth.
Wash the plastic thoroughly before you perform the restoration. Plastic recovery products will give better results if the surface of the object has been cleaned
Step 2. Dry the plastic using a microfiber cloth
Wipe the plastic with the cloth. This will remove most of the moisture, dirt, and other debris. Make sure the plastic surface is completely dry before you proceed.
You can let the plastic dry on its own. However, more dirt and dust will stick to the surface if you wait too long to dry it
Step 3. Scrub the area using sandpaper with a grit (roughness level) of 220-320
Move the sandpaper very gently so you don't scratch the plastic. Rub the sandpaper over the area you want to treat in a circular motion. When you're done, use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe off any debris left behind.
While you can continue the process without sanding, a rough surface from the sandpaper will make it easier for the paint to stick to the plastic
Step 4. Remove stubborn grease using an all-purpose cleaner
Cleaning with plain soap and water can leave oil that interferes with painting. For this reason, you should clean the plastic a second time using an all-purpose cleaner or degreaser. Use a soft microfiber cloth to rub the product.
- All-purpose cleaners are very effective at removing oil, which can be used on exposed plastic surfaces, such as cars.
- Another option is rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is very effective at removing oil.
Step 5. Apply painter's tape around the discolored area
Paints and dyes can change color in unwanted areas. Protect the area by placing a border around the discolored area.
- Painter's tape is designed for painting, but you can also use other types of tape, such as plain paper tape.
- Painter's tape can be found at hardware or hardware stores.
Step 6. Put on gloves and a respirator (mask to help breathing)
To avoid getting paint on your hands, put on gloves before you paint. Also, open all windows and doors if you are painting indoors. You must wear a respirator to avoid inhaling paint or dye fumes.
You can also wear long sleeves to protect your skin. Use old clothes that can be thrown away if they get stained
Step 7. Coat the discolored area using spray paint
Use spray paint for plastic of the desired color. Move the paint slowly and back and forth over the discolored area, in an even layer. Spray the paint again with the spray until the entire area is covered with paint.
- For an extra effect, spray a coat of primer first. Although optional, this can be useful for the paint to adhere well to the plastic.
- You can also dye it with a dye method, such as trim dye for cars. Add a few drops of dye to the plastic, then spread the dye with a foam brush.
- You can paint plastic objects any color you want. However, you should use the old color as the original.
Step 8. Let the paint dry for 30 minutes
Let the paint dry completely before you apply a new coat. Depending on the environment you live in, you may have to wait a little longer for the paint to dry to the touch.
Step 9. Add another coat of paint as needed
You will most likely have to spray a second coat of paint. Do this by repeating the previous steps, and wait for the paint to dry completely. If the paint doesn't look even and solid, you can spray a few more coats of paint. When you're done, let the paint dry, remove the tape, and enjoy the new paint color.
