H2O2 Whitening of yellowed plastic (Pics! ?)

[DiskDoctr]

I read about using hydrogen peroxide to whiten yellowed plastic and thought we'd give it a try on our new to us TT.

We experimented on the stove fan vent. It is inexpensive and we had planned to replace it and the outside door trim. They are the most yellowed and make the camper look a bit dated. We replaced them on our previous camper and were well pleased with the improvement.

Both parts started nearly identical in color.



We used the 40% paste/gel from Sally's Beauty Supply, applied it with an old toothbrush (wear neoprene gloves!) covered it with Saran Wrap, and left it sit in the sun for 2 days. Rinsed it off and tried again, being more careful to avoid shadows for an even effect.

I've read that UV light is much more effective on the H2O2 than sunlight (here in the shadowy countryside). Having proven to ourselves that this treatment does work, we are going to invest in one to speed things up.

Our plans are to do the door window trim, then a Fantastic Fan I pulled from one of our older campers (new but then didn't use it and it yellowed terribly), then some (interior) ceiling vent trim, then the big one: The tub and shower surround.

Anyone who has tried this, please post up your tips and pics!

We'll take more as we progress.

Edit: Maybe someone else can get better pics? The vent is almost new looking, but the color balance on my cell doesn't show it well 😞

Another pic:

We do notice a little irregularity in the very smooth surface. Maybe from the Saran Wrap, maybe it was there? In any case, we are going to be more careful to seal the part but not have the plastic laying against the surface.

It looks like it will just polish off?

[DiskDoctr]

Gdetrailer wrote:
Fusion White CAN BE FOUND HERE, Sold and shipped from Amazon..

Is Dover White the correct color?

[DiskDoctr]

I hear ya on the bricks and mortar stores being...disappointing 😉

If Amazon ever gets a SQL style search that can EXCLUDE certain vendors, terms, other info and can actually FIND the things we need...("search tech support specialists"?), I may not step into a store again, LOL.

On the Edwin door window. Our new TT does NOT have a big window next to the door. Our previous camper had the dining table and big window right there, so we could always see out. That could be a bit of a problem, with only the smaller kitchen window to look out.

Might have to look closer at it. I can see a benefit to being able to see out the window. Nobody can see in? What about at night?

[IAMICHABOD]

RedRocket204 wrote:
I know you are primarily looking for ways to whiten yellowed plastic in this thread, but for the door window, why not just replace it with something much, much better - RV Entry Door Window (aka... EDWIN)

It does cost more but it is worth it and it won't yellow. Will give the door a refreshed looked and add cross ventilation.

I agree It worked for me

[Gdetrailer]

DiskDoctr wrote:
Those are all excellent suggestions!

We looked for Krylon Fusion at Walmart and Lowes, but neither here carry it any longer- including a Super Walmart 😞

What about the Rustoleum or Krylon (not Fusion) for plastics? I found it to order online, but hadn't decided on it yet. UV protection, and even a little smoothing effect from paint might be good for the outdoor parts.

But then what about the bathtub and shower surround? I thought paint was a no-no on bathroom water things? I did see some kind of spray for refinishing tubs and showers, but don't know anything else about it.

I priced the Edwin on our last camper, but it was something like $150. Does that sound right? That might slide to Phase II or even Phase III 😉 Like the idea, but gotta prioritize. Appreciate the tip, though, will keep it in mind.

Fusion IS still available.

The problem is MOST bricks and mortar stores have stopped carrying a lot of inventory and spray paints was one of the many items that has been pushed out the door.

Do what I do..

Buy stuff from Amazon..

Fusion White CAN BE FOUND HERE, Sold and shipped from Amazon..

I pitty anyone depending on finding the out of the ordinary stuff in a sticks and bricks store.. Just does not happen now days, got tired of driving from WM, to Home Depot, to Lowes and so on..

That is one of the many reasons a lot of stores like Sears have gone by the wayside, they lost relevance when making huge profits over rides the needs of the customers, gutting inventory to the point customers quit going to their stores..

[ksg5000]

Google Oil Eater - spray bottle which works wonders on plastic. I use on both RV and my lounge chairs.

[DiskDoctr]

Those are all excellent suggestions!

We looked for Krylon Fusion at Walmart and Lowes, but neither here carry it any longer- including a Super Walmart 😞

What about the Rustoleum or Krylon (not Fusion) for plastics? I found it to order online, but hadn't decided on it yet. UV protection, and even a little smoothing effect from paint might be good for the outdoor parts.

But then what about the bathtub and shower surround? I thought paint was a no-no on bathroom water things? I did see some kind of spray for refinishing tubs and showers, but don't know anything else about it.

I priced the Edwin on our last camper, but it was something like $150. Does that sound right? That might slide to Phase II or even Phase III 😉 Like the idea, but gotta prioritize. Appreciate the tip, though, will keep it in mind.

[ScottG]

I did mine with Krylon Fusion about 5 or 6 years ago. Still looks better than new.

[Gdetrailer]

DiskDoctr wrote:
I read about using hydrogen peroxide to whiten yellowed plastic and thought we'd give it a try on our new to us TT.

We experimented on the stove fan vent. It is inexpensive and we had planned to replace it and the outside door trim. They are the most yellowed and make the camper look a bit dated. We replaced them on our previous camper and were well pleased with the improvement.

Both parts started nearly identical in color.



We used the 40% paste/gel from Sally's Beauty Supply, applied it with an old toothbrush (wear neoprene gloves!) covered it with Saran Wrap, and left it sit in the sun for 2 days. Rinsed it off and tried again, being more careful to avoid shadows for an even effect.

I've read that UV light is much more effective on the H2O2 than sunlight (here in the shadowy countryside). Having proven to ourselves that this treatment does work, we are going to invest in one to speed things up.

Our plans are to do the door window trim, then a Fantastic Fan I pulled from one of our older campers (new but then didn't use it and it yellowed terribly), then some (interior) ceiling vent trim, then the big one: The tub and shower surround.

Anyone who has tried this, please post up your tips and pics!

We'll take more as we progress.

Edit: Maybe someone else can get better pics? The vent is almost new looking, but the color balance on my cell doesn't show it well 😞

Another pic:

We do notice a little irregularity in the very smooth surface. Maybe from the Saran Wrap, maybe it was there? In any case, we are going to be more careful to seal the part but not have the plastic laying against the surface.

It looks like it will just polish off?

MEH..

Do it right the FIRST TIME and give it a shot of Krylon for plastics..

Once you have coated with Krylon for plastics you can then use ANY paint color of your choice on top of the Krylon.. The Krylon plastic paint acts like a primer and other paints will stick real well to it..

That is what I did with my replacement plastic door window trim, INSIDE AND OUT.

ONE AND DONE.

Otherwise you will be doing this over and over and each time the plastic will get more and more brittle.

Coating the plastic with paint does several things..

It stops the yellowing and it stops the UV from getting to the plastic in the first place which breaks down the plastic and makes it brittle.

[westend]

Try some rubbing compound with your bleach. it will remove just the top surface layer and get everything smooth.

[NYCgrrl]

Good to hear the hydrogen peroxide method works well and especially with plastic wrap as opposed to Pampers; cheaper and more sun exposure.

[harley4275]

Easiest for vent or anything attached to camper is to tape off and spray with Krylon paint made for plastic. For door trim simply unscrew it and spray paint it . comes in alot of colours .

[RedRocket204]

I know you are primarily looking for ways to whiten yellowed plastic in this thread, but for the door window, why not just replace it with something much, much better - RV Entry Door Window (aka... EDWIN)

It does cost more but it is worth it and it won't yellow. Will give the door a refreshed looked and add cross ventilation.

[Sam_Spade]

DiskDoctr wrote:
I read about using hydrogen peroxide to whiten yellowed plastic and thought we'd give it a try on our new to us TT.

Just on a lark, I painted my chassis mirrors and a strip of siding under the side carriage door with a Rustoleum rattle can.

Looks like new.....unless you look REALLY close......and it seems to be holding up good.