Aged sortainers reincarnated?

[Naildrivingman]

I have three Sort 12 that I use for my fasteners (1 for hand drive nails, 1 for gun nails and one for screws).  I very much like them, but they are showing their age (about 10 years old).

Does anyone know of a way to brighten them up?  I realize that factory fresh is impossible, but I would very much like to make them look a bit better than they do. I thought I would post here before trying anything radical.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[TinyShop]

Believe it or not, the best thing I've ever found for cleaning plastic (like ABS) is baking soda and elbow grease. Make a paste with a little water and, using a sponge and toothbrush (for the corners), go to town. For yellowed plastic, I've found the technique of soaking the plastic in hydrogen peroxide overnight and then placing it (the plastic) in direct sunlight for several hours works absolute wonders. Good luck!

 

[Naildrivingman]

Thanks TS!

Would you say that the H2O2 is good enough?  I don't think I can muster enough elbow grease for three of these.  Did you use straight solution or diluted?  I can certainly soak the drawers, but I may need to resort to misting the cases. Do you think that will work or do I need to immerse the cases as well?

Thanks!

 

[TinyShop]

To counteract yellowing (which is different from dealing with grease and grime) immersion is ideal. Check at your local pharmacy or online - often times larger volumes (like gallon quantities, for instance) are available to order (and for cheap). The best results come from the strongest version of hydrogen peroxide you can find (it comes in different formulations or 'strengths'). Diluting it more than it is already will just reduce its effectiveness. Now, if grease and grime are what you're up against, then elbow grease is really the only method in relation to the baking soda trick. Try a few spots and see what you think. I think you'll find that a little time spent scrubbing works absolute wonders. If you like, focus solely on the exterior of the containers - that shouldn't take too long.   

Edit - I forgot to include Oxiclean in the mix. A later poster reminded me of the ingredient which needs to be mixed with the peroxide for removing yellowing.  My apologies. I originally learned of the process while researching how to reverse yellowing in white plastic. Just Google it.

 

[Bohdan]

I had an old systainer that was faded, covered with dirt, paint spatter and felt tip marker labels so I just bought a can of Rustoleum and a few minutes later had what looked like a new one. The paint gives excellent coverage and really sticks to plastic.

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[Bob D.]

Just wondering, I've never tried this, but it came to me as I read this thread.

Has anyone ever tried a product like OxiClean for a situation like this?

You can mix up as much as you need. Make enough to fill a tub and soak away.

I found a few references in a quick Google search to using OxiClean to clean kids
plastic toys, old keyboards, etc.

You also might find something in this thread at the vintage computer forum that will help.http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?12566-Removing-yellowing-from-plastics-Part-2

 

[semenza]

Not so much for the ridding of yellowing, but for general cleaning Mr. Clean Magic Erasers will take lots of things off a Systainer.

Seth

 

[jeh]

All plastics fade over time for various reasons:

https://www.polymersolutions.com/blog/what-makes-plastic-turn-yellow/

 

[Gregor]

One thing to keep in mind when using H2O2 is to wear old clothing and do not spray it (as inhaling it, or getting it into the eyes, is something you really don't want to experience).