Yellowing Plastic in bathroom

[tweetie1966]

In our 1977 bathroom the original plastic is yellowed. Can anyone suggest how to get it cleaned OR if there is an approved paint to airbrush over it? Really appreciate it!


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[Lance M]

Some have used a concoction called retr0brite to brighten yellowed plastics.
http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/
I paint the plastics with an automotive paint.

[reinergirl]

I experimented with retrobrite.... It worked but paint would be definitely easier if you wanted to do in situ....

Post 69 here. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f109...ml#post1202339

[J. Morgan]

Plus one on the automotive paint.

Sand the surface with 360 grit paper and spray some activated car paint, and it will last for a long, long time.

[idroba]

Any plastic which has yellowed such as inner end caps, air conditioner covers, refrigerator vents and even the tambour doors used in some Airstreams can be very successfully painted with Krylon Fusion Paint for Plastics. Use the satin finish rather than the glossy.

Now, if you are talking about the plastic sinks, and shower pans, I can't say it will work, as I have never tried it, but all other yellowed plastic surfaces will come out beautifully. Mask things well, be sure to use a large box fan to vent the overspray, and use a mask yourself. Use many thin coats, do not try to spray one heavy one or you will make runs and a mess.

[Rhino33]

We also used the Krylon Fusion Paint for Plastics after several sandings of varying grit. It made such a huge difference in the look of our bathroom - I am sure you will like it.
Several others have also painted the curved section of header in the front of their trailers (above the gaucho), but ours is not too bad yet, so I am holding off.
Good luck!

[mnmhays]

For our bathroom fixtures; tub & sink. I used oneof those gel-coat kits from the home improvement stores.

[kevin242]

There is a peroxide method that works. I tried it on some parts and they turned out quite well.

How to Whiten Yellowed Plastic | Cleaning Guides)

[rogerdodger]

Originally Posted by Rhino33

We also used the Krylon Fusion Paint for Plastics after several sandings of varying grit. It made such a huge difference in the look of our bathroom - I am sure you will like it.
Several others have also painted the curved section of header in the front of their trailers (above the gaucho), but ours is not too bad yet, so I am holding off.
Good luck!

I also used Krylon Fusion in my bathroom tub and sink, and the ceiling. Great stuff.

[Jammer]

I am skeptical of the durability of Krylon Fusion when used in areas subject to scrubbing, like sinks and tubs.

I have used two-part marine paint instead for bathroom pieces. I used Interlux Perfection. There are other products that are also good.

[r carl]

I would check with one of those guys that go around painting fiberglass bathtubs. I hear that they are reasonable. I have seen them working at big apartment complexes. They are quick.

[Cochese]

While I had my tub/ sink out , took it to an auto body shop to be painted. He used a urethane auto paint, looks greAt & durable . For something like a sink & tub, I would not use a spray can type paint.


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[tweetie1966]

Do you use the retro bright first or can you just go straight to the auto paint or gel boat paint

[J. Morgan]

For auto paint you clean, scuff, (sand) and paint.

A 360 or 400 grit sand scratch will make the paint stick.

For this application I would not prime, you want to keep the paint film as thin as is practical.

[BingoBob55]

For fiberglass you can use a marine paint Awl-Grip. It comes in a variety of colors. I believe it's manufactured by United Paint. Primer isn't required but you will need to clean the area first and then scuff with a Scotchbrite pad. This paint can be sprayed or brushed on with a Badger hair brush with great results, and for larger areas it can be rolled and then "tipped" with a Badger hair brush to "pop" the bubbles left by the roller. This procedure will require two people to do the job as the paint will "flash" too quickly. The tipping will need to follow immediately behind the roller. Awl-Grip is a cross-linked urethane and is very durable, but it can't be sanded and wheeled out (buffed) like some other urethane's. It will take two or three coats for a good finish following the manufacture's directions. Try the technique out on a scrap piece first. Good Luck!

[perryg114]

I have used this stuff before and it seems to work. This stuff is made to paint upholstery in cars. I put some on the dashboard of my Excursion 3 yrs ago and it is exposed to sun. It still looks good and is not coming off. I painted a trial section of bathroom and so far it looks good. It seems to be very durable. Super white is pretty close to the interior of an Airstream. I also used the stuff to paint the aluminum window trim on the inside of the trailer.

Color Coat Aerosols | SEM Products

Perry

[Jewel65]

I used Whitecoat. VTS carries it as does some auto body paint stores. The photo on VTS website is my fiberglass bathroom after Whitecoat. It works well, but is a little tricky to apply. I ended up using a foam mini roller for best results and it took about 3 coats. Here is the link for VTS...

POR-15 Whitecote 2-Part Paint (One Pint)

[thesignlady]

If it has not been painted before with an unknown product I would use the krylon fusion spray paint for the any plastic fixtures, I did on my argosy. It molecularly bonds with the plastic. The fixtures were very yellowed and hideous before now the are a nice glossy ivory, you cannot tell it was sprayed on. There are other colors available to. To prep the surface use the 000 steel wool to give it all a good scrub and scuff and that will supply a bit of texture for the product to adhere properly. Clean thoughly and allow to dry. Tape of any areas you don't want to hit with the over spray and spray on a first thin coat, allow to dry and top coat at the time recommended on the spray can. I did mine 5 years ago it still look great. We fill our tub and sink full of all sorts of stuff while traveling the logging roads boondocking and the paint has never scraped off, so it is very durable. I have attached a pic of the sink area as it is now 5 years on, used regularly and roughly by a family of 5 and one of the fridge hood scoop that I have not gotten around to doing yet. The entire bathroom was the color of the hood scoop before using the Krylon. I plan to do my end caps soon using the same product. It is in every hardware store up here on Vancouver Island so I would expect it is readily available somewhere near you. Good luck

[Skatiero]

Another vote for krylon fusion. We love the stuff!!!

[7GenTex]

Plastic?

The horrors......................