Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 415

Thread: Whitening yellowed toys with Hydrogen Peroxide

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Join Date
    28th Dec 2007
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    14,762

    Default Whitening yellowed toys with Hydrogen Peroxide

    From the February thread:

    Quote Originally Posted by Doubledealer View Post
    Mate that looks sensational, great job! Coincidentally I have a partially discoloured Grotusque on his way as we speak (on his shoulders)...I might have to get you show me how to give him this glorious HP bath of supreme whiteness.
    It's pretty simple.

    Need:

    - Get a clear glass jar with a seal tight lid (I use an mayonnaise jar like this one with the label removed)
    - Buy a Jar of Hydrogen Peroxide with at least 6% w/v from a Pharmacy or Super Market (Pharmacy is more reliable)
    - Fill the glass container with the appropriate volume of Hydgrogen Peroxide depending on the size of the yellowed piece.
    - Once the piece is submerged, expose the jar to sunlight for a few days (oh the irony! ) until the plastic color is 'corrected' to your satisfaction. During this process you will see thousands of small bubbles covering the surface of the plastic - This is the Hydrogen Peroxide at work.

    Advice: Try not to have too many pieces of plastic in one jar. The crowding of pieces slows the process as they shield each other from sunlight.

    Note 1: Some plastics are more successful at regaining their color than others but something that seems consistent from my experience is that there is always a considerable improvement. It seems that different plastic types regain their colors at different rates - The level of yellowing is also a factor in the length of the submerged time period.

    Warning: Hydrogen Peroxide is corrosive to metal. However from what's available in retail, the level of concentration is so low that it seems negligible. I have not seen any corrosion in metal rods and pins joining plastic parts even after being submerged for a couple of weeks.

    Warning 2: Although most painted parts will not be affected by the Hydrogen Peroxide, there is documentation that some do. Toys with painted detailing which fades with exposure to the Hydrogen Peroxide includes: AM Megatron (Purple).

    VERY IMPORTANT WARNING: Hydrogen Peroxide is also toxic so try to avoid exposing your skin to it. Try to use gloves and if it goes on your skin, wash the affected area immediately.

    Note 2: I have used this process in at least half a dozen toys without any ill effects to the plastic even after more than a couple of weeks submerged. It's been about a year's time since my first attempt and the plastic of the toy in question is still fine. However regardless of success, the plastic is still vulnerable to yellowing again if exposed to UV rays because that's the nature of the plastic.

    Disclaimer: Although I have been successful with several toys using this procedure and I have not observed any ill effects on the plastic - there is no guarantee that it will work for you and there is always the possibility that some plastics may not react well to the Hydrogen Peroxide so proceed at your own risk.

    Notes specific to Grotusque:

    Grotusque has a big pin that joins his legs together - You cannot remove this without breaking the plastic. The best thing to do so that his yellowing can be fixed is to separate the whole 'legs' assembly and remove every single screw that you can find so that you don't have to unnecessarily expose them to the HP. Unyellowed plastic does not seem to be affected by the Peroxide but still try to separate as many 'healthy' pieces from the assembly as possible.

    The top half of the body is easy to separate so if its just the shoulder, you shouldn't have any problem removing the affected piece.
    Last edited by kup; 24th February 2010 at 07:14 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    16th Jan 2008
    Location
    Honkers
    Posts
    2,742

    Default

    Great stuff. Thanks for reducing all that knowledge to words. It will certain come in useful for me when I have time to start restoring some TFs.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    18th Feb 2010
    Location
    Penrith
    Posts
    34

    Default

    Umm this might sound stupid but this will also destroy any sticker work right?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    28th Dec 2007
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    14,762

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by kgb2005 View Post
    Umm this might sound stupid but this will also destroy any sticker work right?
    It doesn't destroy them but it does loosen them off. However you can always reattach them with some glue paste. And there is always Reprolabels.

    Regardless, keep in mind that a stickerless toy is much better looking than a yellowed stickered one.
    Last edited by kup; 23rd February 2010 at 12:45 AM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    30th Jul 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    3,547

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by kup View Post
    It doesn't destroy them but it does loosen them off. However you can always reattach them with some glue paste. And there is always Reprolabels.

    Regardless, keep in mind that a stickerless toy is much better looking than a yellowed stickered one.
    unless you have yellow fever :P

    (couldnt help myself)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    18th Feb 2010
    Location
    Penrith
    Posts
    34

    Default

    Thank you for that bit of information. Just wanted to know I was planning on doing my G1 Jetfire a figure I have had since I was a child and was curious to know how bad would the chemical react with the red paint and the other material and colors on jetfire?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    21st Nov 2008
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    1,158

    Default

    Bought my first lot of of the stuff this morning from a chemist. I spent 20 mins constantly walking around trying to find the stuff before i caved and asked for assistance and found that the stuff was behind the counter. I currently have Red Alerts spoilers in the mix with some Wheeljack parts.....really looking forward to seeing the results.
    I got 100 mils for about $3. Quite good value if you ask me.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    4th Aug 2008
    Location
    The 'Riff
    Posts
    11,335

    Default

    I'm tempted to get some and use it on my Mirage. I bought him yellowed, so can't complain too much.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    21st Nov 2008
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    1,158

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sideswipes brother View Post
    Bought my first lot of of the stuff this morning from a chemist. I spent 20 mins constantly walking around trying to find the stuff before i caved and asked for assistance and found that the stuff was behind the counter. I currently have Red Alerts spoilers in the mix with some Wheeljack parts.....really looking forward to seeing the results.
    I got 100 mils for about $3. Quite good value if you ask me.
    Although i dont have piccys yet i can tell you the results are amazing. I will be doing my entire Ramjet next. Awesome stuff.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    28th Dec 2007
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    14,762

    Default

    1984-1985 white toys work really well with the H2O2. If you have a yellowed white toy from that era, it is worth giving it a go as the result could be a minty looking toy.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •