Cleaning the exterior of the old systainers.
- Thread starter KenFitz
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Start with less aggressive and work your way up to what will clean them. Soap and water -- alcohol -- mineral spirits -- Magic Eraser -- acetone.
Magic Eraser is a very mild abrasive. It will alter the surface texture and sheen a little.
Acetone (last resort) will "melt" the plastic. It will show swipe marks and change the sheen, etc. It will remove pretty much anything because it is actually removing the plastic. But if there is something you need to get off it will work. A lightly dampened cloth a quick , one directional swipe. Don't go in circles or rub around , that will really mess up the surface. And if it needs more than one swipe re-dampen and use a fresh spot on the cloth.
Seth
Magic Eraser is a very mild abrasive. It will alter the surface texture and sheen a little.
Acetone (last resort) will "melt" the plastic. It will show swipe marks and change the sheen, etc. It will remove pretty much anything because it is actually removing the plastic. But if there is something you need to get off it will work. A lightly dampened cloth a quick , one directional swipe. Don't go in circles or rub around , that will really mess up the surface. And if it needs more than one swipe re-dampen and use a fresh spot on the cloth.
Seth
Christopher Fitch
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You can also try some of the plastic polishes such as Meguiar's G12310 PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish. It fits in to the mildly abrasive level Seth mentioned. One of the main uses is for polishing headlights. There are others though - Meguiar's is just one of the more well-known ones. You can even use a sander with a polishing pad.
Mike Goetzke
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Especially be careful using chemicals around the painted surfaces.
FestitaMakool
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Having zero clue of what kind of soap or what else you have over there to your disposal for cleaning.. however, I have had luck with vegetable natural fat household soap. I mix 1 third of soap with no more than two thirds of water, sometimes 50/50. Spray on and let it nearly dry on. Then I use a stiff brush or scrub to clean. For more stubborn marks I’ve also used car polish.
The more the soap is alcalic and removes fat the more difficult to maintain afterwards. And it will soon get a matte finish which again attracts dirt.
The fat vegetable soap leaves some fat behind and softens stains. A bonus is when you rinse off with water afterwards, the surface repels water drops like a newly polished car. [big grin] (I use the same soap on my car, boats or whatever. All the plastic and rubber looks very good even long after wash)
Edit: And, there’s another thing: it’s the temperature of the water that cleans as well, my systainers from my used Festool’s buys I have done in my bathtub - but I’m kinda single for the moment - so there you go [big grin] [big grin]
The more the soap is alcalic and removes fat the more difficult to maintain afterwards. And it will soon get a matte finish which again attracts dirt.
The fat vegetable soap leaves some fat behind and softens stains. A bonus is when you rinse off with water afterwards, the surface repels water drops like a newly polished car. [big grin] (I use the same soap on my car, boats or whatever. All the plastic and rubber looks very good even long after wash)
Edit: And, there’s another thing: it’s the temperature of the water that cleans as well, my systainers from my used Festool’s buys I have done in my bathtub - but I’m kinda single for the moment - so there you go [big grin] [big grin]
