Promo soaking question

[hedotwo]

For the first time I'm going to see if soaking a yellowed promo in peroxide will work.  I can search for that answer, but the promo I want to soak has a black vinyl top.  Will the peroxide harm the painted vinyl roof?  I'm guessing it might but thought I'd ask.

[StevenGuthmiller]

I think you're in uncharted waters.

I've never heard of anyone soaking a model in peroxide.

 

 

 

Steve

[hedotwo]

Hmm..  thought I'd read it somewhere but likely wrong I guess.

Thanks

[stitchdup]

you might be better trying some of the plastic outdoor window frame cleaners. you'll need to test as some of them are pretty course and they'll still take the paint off. have you tried auto paint cutting compound also? it could work as its very similar to the window stuff

[espo]

No matter what you are going to try I suggest first testing it in an out of the way area that will not be noticed if anything goes wrong. You could start with just water on a Q-Tip and see what happens. The only cleaner or soap I would try is a dish washing product called Dawn. This stuff doesn't even affect my delicate hands. This product has also been used to clean oil spills off of bird life, really. In recovery efforts to save bird life caught in an oil spill rescuers have actually used Dawn dish soap to clean them without harming the birds or their feathers. This leads me to wonder if it would be something to consider for a cleanup on your Promo. 

[StevenGuthmiller]

2 hours ago, hedotwo said:

Hmm..  thought I'd read it somewhere but likely wrong I guess.

Thanks

You could very possibly be right.

I've just never heard of it.

 

 

 

Steve

[Can-Con]

For those who haven't heard of this, there's several videos on YouTube showing people soaking old plastic parts in various peroxide solutions to bring them back to white from that dirty beige plastic turns with time. 

 

[Can-Con]

Here's another video, looks even more impressive.

 

[jokar124]

5 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

I think you're in uncharted waters.

I've never heard of anyone soaking a model in peroxide.

Steve

 

5 hours ago, hedotwo said:

Hmm..  thought I'd read it somewhere but likely wrong I guess.

Thanks

The hydrogen peroxide soaking technique for removal of plastic yellowing is often used by promo model and HO slot car collectors, and is often discussed in their Facebook Groups. Most of the time, chrome plating is adversely affected or completely removed. Painted areas are usually safe, but not always. Use at your own risk. It's best to disassemble the model and soak only the solid color and clear plastic bits.

Edited July 26, 2023 by jokar124

[hedotwo]

Thanks all for  the comments and the video links.  I think I'll give it a try and see how it works out.  Before I do, however, I'll test on a pieces of scrap that've been painted black with acrylic, lacquer, and enamel.  I'll see how the peroxide affects each.  It'd be pretty hard to soak the body without soaking the roof but I guess I could just repaint the roof if it comes off.

[Bills72sj]

Have you considered getting an ultra sonic cleaner? That yellow on the clear windows posted above look like it spent too much time in a smoker's house.

[hedotwo]

5 hours ago, Bills72sj said:

Have you considered getting an ultra sonic cleaner? That yellow on the clear windows posted above look like it spent too much time in a smoker's house.

I've had one for years and use it periodically for stubborn things.  I never thought to try it.  Thanks Bill.