How To Clean Plastic Fluorescent Light Covers

Elaine asked: How do I clean yellowed plastic to arrive white again?

White plastic turns yellow over fourth dimension due to a chemical reaction that occurs when it is exposed to light, oils, etc. There are a couple of dissimilar means to get rid of this discoloration, ranging from piece of cake to more hard. Look through the methods to detect 1 that works all-time on your particular project. Some are more applied for larger projects, while others are ideal for smaller pieces. If your plastic turned xanthous from bleach or food coloring, those are really dye stains. For those, utilize our guide How to Clean Food Dyes from Plastics.

Bleach Method

You Will Need:

• Chlorine bleach
• Water
• Saucepan or large bowl
• Gloves
• Paper towels
• A spray canteen

Steps to Whiten the Plastic:

1. Fill a bucket or large bowl with one part bleach and one role water. Fill up it plenty so that it will cover the yellowed pieces when they are submerged. Or, if the detail cannot be submerged, only make a small batch.
2. If the items cannot be submerged in the saucepan, put on gloves, and then soak paper towels with the bleach solution and cover the yellowed plastic with the wet paper towels. Press the paper towels firmly against the surface of the plastic and let them stay there until the plastic has whitened. Re-moisture the paper towels with the bleach solution every bit needed to keep them moist. This can easily be done past putting the solution in a spray bottle, just be sure not to let the solution spray onto any surrounding areas or it may bleach them likewise.
3. If the items can exist submerged, then put them into the bucket or bowl.
4. Allow the items to soak until they return to the original white color.
5. When they have reached the desired level of white, remove from the solution and rinse with clean water.
6. Wash with a mild detergent and permit the pieces to air dry completely.

Sanding Method

You Will Need:

• Superfine sandpaper
• Water
• Soft cloth

Steps to Whiten the Plastic:

1. For this method, the goal is to lightly sand off the meridian layer of the plastic that is discolored to reveal a new, white layer.
2. Begin by wiping downwardly the plastic piece completely.
3. Rub the superfine sandpaper over the surface to remove the yellowed portions.
4. When finished, wipe with a moist material to remove any dust.

Comet Method

You Volition Need:

• Comet
• Water
• Bucket or large bowl
• Dish detergent
• Scrubbing sponge

Steps to Whiten the Plastic:

1. Start past moistening the plastic pieces.
2. Place some Comet cleaner on the scrubbing sponge and starting time scrubbing.
3. This requires plenty of elbow grease and time, but will take the yellow out with some scrubbing.
4. When the yellow is removed, wash the piece in h2o and dish detergent.
5. Rinse completely with clean water and allow it to dry.

Peroxide Method

You Will Need:

• Hydrogen peroxide (the regular three% kind)
• Oxy laundry booster
• Sunshine or UV light
• Water
• Saucepan or large bowl
• Rubber gloves
• Goggles

Steps to Whiten the Plastic:

1. Begin by protecting yourself with safe gloves and goggles.
2. Fill up the bucket with hydrogen peroxide.
3. Add together ¼ teaspoon of Oxy laundry booster for each gallon of peroxide.
4.  If the items tin be soaked, identify them into the solution and allow them to soak. If they cannot exist soaked, wet a paper towel with the solution, squeeze it out and so that it's non dripping, flatten it out again, and press it against the item. It should stick in place on it'due south own, merely if non, you tin cover information technology with plastic wrap and tape the plastic wrap in place.
5. The soaking fourth dimension will vary with virtually pieces whitening in 2-6 hours. The mixture will last for upwards to iv days earlier it needs to be replaced.
6. Set the items nether a UV light or out in the sunshine.
7. When the detail has reached the desired whiteness, remove and rinse thoroughly to remove whatever remaining cleaning product residue.
8. If necessary, wash with dish detergent and water.

Additional Tips and Ideas

• While bleach tin exist an constructive color remover, it may weaken the plastic over time.
• Painting the plastic pieces (if they're not food storage containers) with a clear acrylic varnish will aid forestall them from turning xanthous over again.
• For plastic pieces that are discolored from nutrient dyes, come across our article virtually How to Clean Nutrient Dyes from Plastics.
• For additional data well-nigh removing stains from plastic food containers, see our article almost How to Clean Plastic Food Containers.

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Source: https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-whiten-yellowed-plastic/

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