Have you ever tried to remove the yellow from plastic? Part 2 of 3 - An experiment!
Тәжірибелік нұсқаулар және стиль
This is a 3-part series on how I solve this. I’m always reminded my dad when problem solving - to look at things from a different perspective.
As a boy, science experiments fascinated me. I received an overhwelming number of suggestions from the test I ran a few days ago - how to restore plastic from yellow. A BIG THANK YOU! I think all of us are scientists - full of knowledge, ready to help the community (folks if you’re interested, read the comments below for suggestions).
I’m sure you’re wondering about the results of test. So, lets tune in...I was convienced one of these solutions could work. And it really didn’t take me a long time or a lot of money to setup.
Even though I let the hydrogen peroxide solution sit in the sun for a day in hot weather, it looked the same. I even ran this test twice, covering the container, but the yellow was deep set. A few folks suggested UV light or higher strength hydrogen peroxide in a very hot setting. I might have to try that down the road.
The vingear/water solution also looked similar. Again, I probably could have used a higher concentration.
The baking soda solution surprised me the most. It actually absorbed some of the yellow. I gave it a good scrub, but most of the yellow was still there.
In this shell game of life, it seems I might be out of luck for now. I tried a few other suggestions with no solid results. My dad was into chemistry and I remember every experiment became a lesson. He was also relatively frugal and relentless if he could save things. I have one more trick up my sleeve shy of just buying a new lantern. Time to ditch the lab coat and get to work. Stay tuned...
(p.s. I’m often reminded that Rome wasn’t built in a day. And I make a ton of mistakes. Upon reflection, many of my projects take some time, but I appreciate you sticking around if this kind of storytelling interests you.)
Part 1: Have you ever tried to remove the yellow from plastic? Part 1 of 3 - An experiment! I run a quick experiment in my garage. Trust me, I'm no scientist, but makes you wonder about the chemical properties of a few cleaners.
• Have you ever tried to...
Part 2: Have you ever tried to remove the yellow from plastic? Part 2 of 3 - An experiment! I share results of the experiment and contemplate my next steps.
• Have you ever tried to...
Part 3: Using glass to replace the plastic insert of a porch light! Part 3 of 3 - An experiment! I share my next steps on how I cut glass to replace the plastic insert.
• Using glass to replace...
Пікірлер: 1 000
Part 1: The experiment kzread.infoFp_gnlssvfs Part 3: A solution to make custom glass inserts kzread.infov6PrJ3HOdac
@phillipconnolly8945
Жыл бұрын
Spray oven cleaner over them cover up wait an hour and scrub them should come up clean I use this for headlights
@rosebearcat
Жыл бұрын
Try stronger, hydrogen peroxide, like lab grade
@Mathew-vlogs
Жыл бұрын
Where’s part 3? I can’t wait. I gotta have it now! 😂😂😂
@Omi142
Жыл бұрын
hey what's the background music name?
@timbo514
Жыл бұрын
@@Mathew-vlogs , he'll edit this pinned comment when he releases part 3.
wow - someone actually doing a follow-up, not just saying they‘ll do one.
@jouliesoulie
Жыл бұрын
Are you sure?... This short was 3mnths ago and i haven't seen part 3 or what helped to make these clean again
@atefxf
Жыл бұрын
@@jouliesoulie he literally pinned a comment with the links to both part 1 and 3 lol
@brownie32
Жыл бұрын
@@jouliesoulie someone blind
@jouliesoulie
Жыл бұрын
@@atefxf Oh ok, sorry i didn't know that...
@lattelynni
Жыл бұрын
You needed hair bleach love
You have to get a certain concentrated peroxide, like those in hair salons that is far more than 3 %, and then it needs to be submerged in it, in a tub, under UV lights, sealed up. Seal it because UV lights can harm your eyes and prolonged exposure can hurt your skin. This is how a lot of electronics restorers fix old faded plastic casings.
@andreasponchiado8839
Жыл бұрын
I agree, some use mix of 30% hydrogen peroxide and leave It inside close box for 24h with UV light or more
@1992djg
Жыл бұрын
Retro bright is what the process has been named although it might not work on the type of plastic in the lanterns
@leporid257
Жыл бұрын
The 3% worked decent on the side that had sun exposure. I doubt he needs more than 9% H2O2.
@somerandomviewer7803
Жыл бұрын
Developers but that should Be used when necessary windex (ammonia based window cleaners) usually removes most yellowing on things so if you can windex should be tried before going as extreme as developer.
@SianaGearz
Жыл бұрын
That works exclusively on ABS plastic. This lampshade cannot be ABS, because ABS doesn't come out clear, it's milky and just barely translucent without additives. Heat and some sunlight is already effective. If peroxide developer is going to work, then 3% peroxide would already have a pretty substantial effect, peroxide developer is just quicker. I suggest that the plastic was likely PET, PC or PMMA which don't yellow by the same mechanism as ABS and don't restore this way. The yellowing is due to breakdown and there is no known way to fix it. The best course of action is making new lampshades. You can even copy the existing ones to retain their design with vacuum thermoforming or mould slosh casting.
The high percentage hydrogen peroxide paste used for hair bleaching is what I used to make my NES and old light switch covers like new. Give that a try!
@nikkopt
Жыл бұрын
The nes doesn't have transparent plastic. It only gets yellow on the surface. Transparent plastics get yellow on the inside where the chemicals can't reach.
@thelazarous
Жыл бұрын
@@nikkopt The yellow is usually only on the surface as that's where the oxygen is, the ultra violet light catalyzes the oxide reaction in some plastics.
@nikkopt
Жыл бұрын
@@thelazarous I don't know the science behind it but i've cut several kinds of transparent yellowed plastics (lots of transparent phone cases) to see the cross section and they are also yellow inside.
@thelazarous
Жыл бұрын
@@nikkopt Wonder if they're silicon based, were they somewhat flexible? Not like bend it half flexible but rather springy. I know silicone will basically turn to ash inside and out if exposed to ultra violet light for long enough.
@nikkopt
Жыл бұрын
@@thelazarous not sure. Had an ipod cover that was very soft an rubbery. That one def got weaker as it yellowed and started to get tears. The phone cases I'm not sure. They are harder but not hard plastic. Had some that were stored for a couple of years and still got yellow in the dark.
I’m strangely invested in this story.
"and it was all yellow" 💀
I really appreciate you leaving links to the results and following videos. I hate when KZreadrs don’t,so I just block their content or dislike. Thanks bro
Nooooo...another cliff hanger! What WILL happen next?
Bug spray works well. You'll want to clear coat the lenses afterwards, or they will yellow again after a few weeks. I recommend spraymax
@ebonieyez8683
11 ай бұрын
I came to say bug repellant also
Also, with hydrogen peroxide, the reason why it’s stored in a dark bottle like that is so it doesn’t oxidize. Once hydrogen peroxide is exposed to air, it just becomes water.
@evanjohnson8418
Жыл бұрын
The dark bottle is to block out light. The O-O single bond in hydrogen peroxide is not very stable, and light can give it enough energy to break apart, forming water and oxygen gas
with H2O2, you’re supposed to cover it with seran wrap or something clear and airtight. the gasses are just as important as the liquid.
@basedmale4719
Жыл бұрын
And you are supposed to use a higher percentage
@MatthewCobalt
Жыл бұрын
@@basedmale4719 Yes, as well as maintain the Ozone atmosphere while it's being exposed to UV.
@jadedvintage1
Жыл бұрын
Um no.
@MatthewCobalt
Жыл бұрын
@@jadedvintage1 I'm pretty sure you haven't seen it yourself. Especially how the results look.
Deep woods off mosquito repellent works on yellowish headlights. I didn’t believe it until I tried it.
Finally, A KZreadr that links Parts 1,2 and 3.
@Zeero3846
Жыл бұрын
A common problem with the plain old blog as well. You'd think there could be a way to automatically generate the links by now.
@conniesingh4760
Жыл бұрын
Part 3?
See there’s frugality but then there’s your dad spending more money trying to fix the damn thing than it’s worth because he’s STUBBORN 😂
Most amazing thing is that the one outside in the sun made it's way indoors all by itself!
I have seen a blow torch restore the finish on plastics. It's very tricky and precise, but is incredible to watch when it's done correctly.
There’s no way the headlight restoration kit didn’t work.
@ChurritoFrio
Жыл бұрын
Exactly. He either did it wrong or didn't do it at all
Use salon care 40 and wrap with clear Saran wrap leave in the Sun or ultraviolet light for several hours It's similar to the process of the yellowing sneakers if you want to look that up
@sewsomeluv
Жыл бұрын
I was going to say the same thing
Part 3 please it's been an eternity! 🤷🏻♂️
I appreciate u sm u put part 2 in the comments
I'm sure blinker fluid would work
Try retrobrite, the DIY formula you use to make old electronics white. Attacks specifically the browning caused by brominated flame retardants.
@dang-x3n0t1ct
Жыл бұрын
that won't work since the plastic has been physically changed
Might be my first part 2 of a short. 😢 After so many years on this rock..thank you
I DID ENJOY YOUR PRESENTATION JUST THE SAME AT 70 👁 STILL ENJOY LEARNING (PERIOD)
I am wondering why a headlight kit didn’t work for you! It worked so well on my cars headlights and they’re polycarbonate too.
Try transmission fluid I've used it on yellowed headlights it's always worked for me. That or good old WD-40
I've got to see part 3!
THANKYOU for linking pt.2
The yellowing in plastic systems is usually caused by the plasticizers (additives to help melt viscosity and softness, which often contain aromatic rings) undergoing radical reactions caused by exposure to UV light over long periods of time. Not something that can easily be extracted with any aqueous wash.
@validpostage
Жыл бұрын
(the sound of all the materials chemists in the chat groaning over these experiments)
Yes! Finally a YT creator that actually posts the link to next part. Subscribed!
@JackDaniels-ex9mf
Жыл бұрын
No link to part 3 tho
@ezbeady7943
Жыл бұрын
@@JackDaniels-ex9mf its in the pinned comment
There’s a great product called Dip-It. It’s a stain remover and it works wonders. We use it in kitchens all the time to remove coffee stains from the insides of coffee carafes.
This is like that one dude who tried to do all this for his clear phone case.
Use 60% peroxide cream/liquid from a hair salon and wrap the lantern thing in Saran Wrap after coated leave it under the sun or uv lights for 24 hours and it will be like brand new after it’s washed.
@miniak9593
Жыл бұрын
Oh hell naw, not the marble stripes
@SYNNico
Жыл бұрын
@@miniak9593 What? 💀
Tooth paste. Works wonders. Makeup remover, baby wipes. Idk why but always dud great on stains
@dang-x3n0t1ct
Жыл бұрын
that's not a surface stain, the plastic has been physically altered at the molecular level
I dont know about light covers but this is usually for getting the yellow out of plastics that were in an environment where people smoked.
Thankyou for linking the second part
Is the third part coming any time soon?
@kilzo_
Жыл бұрын
its in the pinned comment
@finnafishfl
Жыл бұрын
@@kilzo_ where
@kilzo_
Жыл бұрын
@@finnafishfl kzread.infoFp_gnlssvfs?feature=share
Brasso works great, brings old plastic to like new condition, use it all the time when restoring cars, just need some elbow grease
I watch these out of order because I didn't find them in my feed quick enough you have to say what a good little experiment I was really shocked that nothing worked all that well I know for headlights my friend uses lemon juice and baking soda and she just cuts the lemon in half and then scrubs baking soda
Baking soda is awesome to use indeed, will try this even on my car headlamps glass
Yep, unfortunately most kind of plastic yellowing cannot be repaired. Thanks for the video :)
Use "blending solvent" for autobody clear coat blending that's used to hide spot repairs, it will work!
For the hydrogen peroxide you need to use a way higher concentration, you need the salon strength stuff and that works pretty well
Glass is best. I have run into the same problem. I’m in this home 20 years. I replaced the builders 4 lamps after 3 years (they were tinny brass and were starting to corrode). I replaced with aluminum (my old home had them, 14 years old still like new) and they lasted about 16 years, but paint was not real good. It was actually cheaper to buy new than spend the time to repaint. The entry light was in a covered entry area on the ceiling, this I painted and did not replace. I’m seeing that the new fixtures look ok after 2 years, but the paint isn’t as good as the previous. My old home, the fixtures are now over 32 years old, have been repainted white and are still there! The original paint was epoxy based, next time I will repaint with epoxy based black. Well life goes on, good luck. Jim
You woke up still wearing your sun hat 😂
I found my mom‘s 25-year-old bread machine in the back of a walk-in closet and the metal parts were still white, but the plastic lid had turned an ugly dark yellow so I went to Sally’s beauty supply and bought a bottle of hair bleach, the thick white pasty stuff and a cheap applicator brush. I painted the lid with a thick coating of that, put it in a clear big plastic bag and set it out in the Florida sun for several hours, brought it in and cleaned it off and it had whitened considerably so I repeated the process for two more days, letting it sit in the sun for about 6 to 8 hours a day and it worked. The lid was a slightly different shade of white than the metal body, I knew I wouldn’t get an exact match because obviously plastic and metal paint are going to age differently but it is hardly noticeable. I use it on the dough cycle when making bread now instead of my stand mixer.
I used a similar method to the water and baking soda to get yellowing off the bottom of shoes except I used hydrogen peroxide instead of water. There’s also a shampoo that would be used with a similar effect, I think it’s called salon40 or something like that.
off deep woods bug spray works like a dream for car headlights
one thing i didnt see in that bundle, while there was a headlight kit there, but there is another kind that is more like wax where you wipe it on, rub it in , let it sit a bit and wipe it off, blue diamond makes it and i think miguire makes it too, both work very well on headlights, headlights that were made in 1996 and had never been treated, just saying it might prove better results as the stuff had a chemical smell to it i didnt recognize amongst all the things ive tried before on the headlights trying to obtain similar results that might be the key to lifting the yellow out of the plastic and restoring the clarity
@raymondhatton6877
11 ай бұрын
note it may take 2-3 times to obtain the clarity desired
Great! You discovered crowd sourcing.
You needed stronger H2O2. Like the kind from hair supply stores, Salon Care 40 Volume Devoloper. It's called RetroBrighting, and we in the retro computer field know it works to get rid of yellowing.
Their is this one soap my shop teacher uses where we use to clean our headlights and works pretty good
Some kid at a gas station did my headlights for $10. I don't know what he used, but it was nontoxic (proved by him drinking it), and it worked great.
Make a solution of water and vinegar using 1 tablespoon vinegar per 1 cup of water. Pour into the container and let the solution sit for 1 to 2 hours. Wipe clean, rinse, and dry.
the simple thing to do is just go to your local glass store and replace the plastic with glass and all weather caulk, the shop can cut the glass to the desired size and then all you need to do is use the caulk to hold the glass in to place, it shouldn't take more than 2 days one day to get the glass cut to size, if that, and the other putting the caulk around the inside of the lamp to hold the pieces of glass in place and let it dry, then just re install the cover and there you go.
White vinegar and bicarb soda. Paste it on and give a little scrub with the green part of a sponge
40 volume creme developer. Put on a thick layer, Leave it in direct sunlight all day. Reapply every couple hours.
Some plastics like older acryilic's can't have yellowing reversed, the only way is to replace, its a more commonly known thing on vintage watch repair for instance, in severe cases the acrylic breaking down off gasses a corrosive element and it begins to corrode delicate parts like the hands, face and movement parts, so best to replace or you will have a much more extensive repair down the line due to corrosion.
Should've tried scrubbing the baking soda light shade with some of the peroxide with half a lemon
Try volume 40 conditioner it works on shoe soles. Gotta wrap it in saran wrap and either put it out on the sun or uv light for 2 hours at a time it dries out so gotta do it a few times depending on how yellow the material is. But give it a try
The headlight restoration kit will most definitely work👍
Uv with peroxide is probably the only way look up electronic restoration videos
I’ve seen a restoration guy here on KZread that uses some solution and uses uv light and his old faded white plastics come out freakin amazing. The channel escapes me but I’m sure a smart guy like you can find him. I believe he restore very old tonka trucks and toys of that nature. 🤷🏽♂️
On another channel I have seen a guy use something called "retro-bright" but he is applying it to the opaque plastic parts that computer cases are made out of. I have no idea what success you might have on clear plastics. But it might be worth looking into. It is a product that you submerge the object in and then leave in broad sunlight for several hours. So if might be like what you tried already.
OxiClean+UV lights will whiten yellowed white plastic, though I've never tried it with clear plastic. Might be worth a try, if you ever revisit the idea.
do the baking soda rub but then spray a little lemon water all over it... would work best if you made the lemon water. boil water. add halved lemons. turn heat off and let sit overnight.
Mix the peroxide with the baking soda or with the vinegar.
If you added lemon and the baking soda to the jar and place plastic in it for a while and after 2 hours rub the baking soda WITH hand on to lantern then soaked overnight.
The mix I know it works, although not sure if it does in this kind of material, it's baking soda mixed with vinegar no water
The yellowing is because of ultraviolet light in the first place, so using it would just make the problem worse.
Lemon juice and salt. Rub in like a paste. Let it sit a few hours. Take a toothbrush and scrub it in again. See where you are. Then repeat. Lemon juice works for yellowing.
1)Toothpaste brush it in then soak it in vinegar then wash it off 2)use baking soda and vinegar be careful of mess 3)use lemon and baking soda rub it in then soak it in vinegar
If you would have used apple cider vinegar with the baking soda, with dawn dish soap , it would have cleaned it up really good
A popular way to remove yellowing on plastic/clear outsoles of shoes is to brush them with salon care 40, put plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out, and then put it in the sun/in a box under uv light.
Cant wait for part 3
CLR. It’s a product. Kind of magic and perfect for this problem.
Could you try the paste used for cleaning the yellow and dirt off of car headlights? Wonder if that would work.
The yellowing is oxidation, you can use a car polish or scratch "remover" to remove it, this also works on headlight assemblies.
retro computer restorers use a product called retrobrite (sp) to remove the yellowing of old computer cases, might work or maybe figure out what's actually in it.
I know you've moved on by now, but thank you for the pinned comments for anyone trying to find this or the first one
Use half a lemon like a sponge and rub the baking soda plastic experiment
@louskunt9798
Жыл бұрын
I’m confused. Which half of the lemon do we use?😉
Hydrogen peroxide would work quite well if not so dilute. Try the peroxide hair cream. Cover in plastic so it doesn't dry. Works wonders on restoring the color on those old Nintendo systems.
Baking soda and vinegar..also the blue chore boy pads work well
Peroxide cream can work, but it's possible it can streak as well. A high % liquid is better option to prevent streaking. Tons of videos on it within the retro computer / console repair community
Knowing how well Baking Soda & Vinegar mixed into a paste cleaned my mattress; I think I’d try that combo.
they sell these little kits at walmart or any auto store to clean headlights that yellow or get fogged and I used them as we have similar lights and had the same issue and it worked well.
Deep woods OFF . The bug spray . It works for car headlights pretty much instantly so I imagine it would work for this
This always works and you should definitely just melt the surface :)
If you use the hydrogen peroxide and UV light method wrap the bucket in aluminum foil to make sure the uv gets concentrated
We’re talking science. Trial and error is how to go. However there is an actual comparison that can be made. Typically the yellowing comes from UV damage. The best bet is to either use something abrasive like toothpaste and baking soda combo and then polish with rain X. Or you can try using plastic conditioner which does a great job.
Bug repellent spray , it also works on headlights on vehicles. Spray and clean off with a cloth.
should’ve covered the container peroxide to trap in the magic gases and/or use stronger hydrogen peroxide from the beauty/salon supply store
A old lady at my job use to use The Smokers Denture cleaner tablets in warm water and let them sit in it over night
Bro was sleeping with the cap on 💀
you need a higher % hydrogen peroxide or leave it with ultra violet light while heated over night depending on the temp you set it to could be less time
Didn't need the wake up story did we 😂
@buildtomade you also can use bug spray it works on car headlights aswell when they turn yellow like that
Peroxide with a comment or kaboom a little bit of dish soap, scrub and soak. You should have the yellowing change colors or at least fade a whole lot more.
Bug spray 40% deet spray on wipe off / rinse after a brief scrub.
I had seen something once about using aerosol hairspray on yellowing headlight covers.