SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

Yellowing of Models and Toys

751 views
3 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2005
Yellowing of Models and Toys
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 10:31 AM
I have a few models and lots of toys like star wars ships and game controllers that have become yellowed of the years. What are some good things to get rid of this ?
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: 37deg 40.13' N 95deg 29.10'W
Posted by scottrc on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 10:57 AM
Paint it is about all you can do. If the plastic if thick enough, you may be able to sand down a layer and then polish the plastic. Plastic, especially the older polystyrene, did not have UV thermalset plasticizers that are added to keep UV and heat from causing the plastic to change in its molecular makeup. UV and heat will cause the plastic to not only yellow, but also will cause it to become brittle over time. Styrene is like your skin, it changes with time due to its exposure to various elements.

There are chemicals that are advertised to remove "yellowing". However, make sure to look at what type of plastic it is rated for. Most of these chemicals will only work on polycarbonates or ABS and will make styrenes even more fragile.

Scott

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 2, 2005 9:54 PM
Ok i will have to give that a go
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Racing capital of the world- Indy
Posted by kaleu on Friday, June 3, 2005 12:32 AM
I use fume free oven cleaner to strip models. It works well but try it on a test piece to make sure it won't hurt the game controllers. HTH
Erik "Don't fruit the beer." Newest model buys: More than I care to think about. It's time for a support group.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.