ron73 Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 (edited) I have a pair of - what I believe to be - original sun visors on my TR4-A. I think they were white or cream originally (any help?). Unfortunately, mine are now quite yellow, though in excellent condition (no rips tears, dents, etc). But I'd like them brighter. I have thought about light bleach on a cloth or sponge, then wiping off after a period of time. I welcome any better suggestions, as the replacements seem to be either all black or spongy white. Edited March 7, 2008 by ron73 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 Hi Ron, I had the same problem. Years of grime and sun made the white plastic definately 'icky'. I don't think bleach will be any use and may even damage the plastic (brittle, crazing etc). If you are feeling brave then what I did certainly did the trick. 1. Get yourself a 1/2" paint brush and cut the bristles back so that you have a very stiff stippling brush. 2. You will need some very clean stockinette cloth. 3. Finally a can of cellulose thinners. Starting in a small corner of the sun-visor stipple the cellulose into the plastic surface. After the first 1" wipe away the residue before it evaporates. Then do the next inch. Use a clean piece of cloth for each inch. when a complete side is finished go over again but covering a larger area (eg 4 square inches) so that patchiness is reduced to a minimum. Caution - Don't over do it and remove the thinners fairly quickish otherwise the plastic may melt. The thinners is a solvent for the plastic and you will be removing the plastic surface to a small degree. It really does work though. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 There's a product sold in d-i-y stores for renovating white plastic garden/patio furniture, comes in the usual squirty bottles like kitchen or bathroom cleaner. That does a reasonable job on light colour vinyl for a couple of quid and minimum risk. Cheers, Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MikeF Posted March 8, 2008 Report Share Posted March 8, 2008 Why not just scrub them clean and then paint them using trim/upholstery paint? You can get this in non Halfords type accessory shops . It paints out thin so preserves texture of surface and remains flexible. Once on you can't tell from original. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted March 8, 2008 Report Share Posted March 8, 2008 Hi Ron, I was faced with the same problem last year. I acquired quite a collection of sunvisors in various conditions, including some old ones that were ideal to experiment on. Nothing seemed to work. Even if you do find something to soften/clean the surface, they would be far more prone to discolouration in the future. I never did find out whether the discolouration was skin deep or if the whole fabric was discoloured. It wasn't stains I was trying to remove, just a general discolouration. I go along with the idea of paint, but there are different 'qualities' of paint. I have used a cream to recolour a leather sofa and I was going to try some of that. Although you buy it as a cream in a tube, it's water miscible and you can thin it out and, as Stuart comments, you don't lose the pattern in the fabric. At the top end of the scale, probably beyond what it's worth for a pair of sunvisors, there are plastic paints available. John Skinner used these to provide a special colour for leather and plastic upholstery to a high standard. In the end, I solved my problem by having John Skinner make up two new ones - that way, at least they match the new surrey top headlining, but doesn't help you with your problem. AlanR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HAB832C Posted March 8, 2008 Report Share Posted March 8, 2008 No matter how much you clean them, they will still be off-colour. So, I did mine with Kiwi Shoe Dye (colour to suit). There's a sponge on the end of the bottle that acts as an applicator. Two or three applications and the things are like new. I then treated them to a new mirror, which I think I got from Moss. Best wishes, John & HAB832C Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ron77 Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Thanks...I may try the approach with the thinner first, instead of bleach. I'm wary of all the reasons already listed. If no joy, I will look for a fabric paint of good quality to keep the texture, etc. Can I assume these indeed were once white??? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Can I assume these indeed were once white??? Hard to describe, white but not brilliant white, more like off-white, certainly not cream. You'll probably have to mix your own shade of whatever paint you decide to use. From my own experience, you'll have no luck with thinners, but looking on the bright side, you shouldn't do any damage either. AlanR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Hi Alan , Ron, please be careful with the thinners. It is a solvent for the type of plastic you are trying to clean. If left on for prolonged time (20-30 secs) it may cause a probem. However as I suggested at the begging of the thread if you do a small area and wipe off it really will work. Having said that I've only cleaned two so not a very big sample. If you try this will you report back for info. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ron73 Posted March 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 Hi Alan , Ron, please be careful with the thinners. It is a solvent for the type of plastic you are trying to clean. If left on for prolonged time (20-30 secs) it may cause a probem. However as I suggested at the begging of the thread if you do a small area and wipe off it really will work. Having said that I've only cleaned two so not a very big sample. If you try this will you report back for info. Roger Hi Roger I ended up using a plastic industrial cleaner while I had the car at Enginuity. Although not perfect, it got me 80% there using a scrub brush. They can probably tell you what it was! Now that I've put the visors and rack back, I can't remember if the flat side (vs soft) is on top or bottom - anyone able to help? I should have taken a photo! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 Hi Roger I ended up using a plastic industrial cleaner while I had the car at Enginuity. Although not perfect, it got me 80% there using a scrub brush. They can probably tell you what it was! Now that I've put the visors and rack back, I can't remember if the flat side (vs soft) is on top or bottom - anyone able to help? I should have taken a photo! When they are in the downward position the soft side should be facing you as a safety feature! Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ron73 Posted April 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 When they are in the downward position the soft side should be facing you as a safety feature!Stuart. Thanks Stuart. Good stuff. Hope I never have to use that particular safety feature! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tr4Tony Posted April 8, 2008 Report Share Posted April 8, 2008 I find that Mr Muscle kitchen cleaner works very well on grotty stuff. Mrs tr4tony likes it in the kitchen too ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobertT Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 What about the old reliable..Son of A Gun? Worked well on some old '50's vinyl covered cream bar stools I flogged on ebay last year! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grahamgl Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 I find that Mr Muscle kitchen cleaner works very well on grotty stuff. Mrs tr4tony likes it in the kitchen too ! And which cleaner does she use? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Besalu Posted February 27 Report Share Posted February 27 I have the same job coming up. Some good suggestions here. Has anyone else attempted this job recently? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tr4aJim Posted February 27 Report Share Posted February 27 Something else to try is “Magic Eraser”. A friend uses it on the vinyl seats of his boat to good effect. As always, try it on a small/less visible spot first. Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted February 27 Report Share Posted February 27 Manista hand cleanser and a nail brush. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jase Posted February 28 Report Share Posted February 28 I just spray painted mine with plastikote, spot on and has held up the last three years. Wife now says they are too bright may spray them matt black. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tim hunt Posted March 1 Report Share Posted March 1 Having cleaned my visors with Cif on a stiff brush and wiped off with a damp cloth I painted them with a quality vinyl silk emulsion with good results. I was so pleased with the result that I treated the hard top head lining and other white vinyl trim in the same way with long lasting results. Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Besalu Posted April 11 Report Share Posted April 11 Recap of the various suggestions i have seen on here; Product for renovating white garden furniture. Trim/upholstery paint Kiwi shoe dye Mr Muscle kitchen cleaner Magic Eraser Manista hand cleaner and nail brush Spray paint with plastikote. CIF on a stiff brush then paint with vinyl silk emulsion. I first cleaned them up a bit with baking powder on a wet sponge then used the shoe dye method. Quite pleased with the results Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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