Alexei Volkov
Faded plastic outdoor toys can be easily restored with a few simple techniques. Most plastic toys fade due to oxidation, which causes the plastic to develop a rough texture. Oxidation can be removed with sandpaper, vinegar, or a bleach solution. For softer plastics, such as those found on children's toys, a mixture of detergent, household cleaner, water, and bleach can be sprayed on the discoloured area. Hard plastics can be treated with soapy water and sandpaper, scrubbing the surface in a circular motion. If the toy has been painted before, you can use paint to hide the fading. Alternatively, you can use a product like Polytrol, which has been known to improve the appearance of faded plastic.
Characteristics and Values Table for Restoring Faded Plastic Outdoor Toys:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of Fading | Oxidization, Sun Exposure |
| Removal Methods | Sandpaper, Soapy Water, Bleach Solution, Hydrogen Peroxide, Heat Gun, Vinegar, Detergent, Cleaner |
| Painting Techniques | Spray Paint, Krylon Fusion Paint, Thin Layers, Multiple Colours, Masking Tape |
| Drying Time | Varies, Read Paint Label |
| Additional Tips | Work in a Well-Ventilated Area, Protect Surrounding Surfaces, Use Gloves and Goggles |
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What You'll Learn
Clean with soapy water and sandpaper
To restore faded plastic outdoor toys with soapy water and sandpaper, you must first identify whether the plastic is hard or soft. Hard plastics that haven't been painted can be restored by scrubbing with sandpaper dipped in soapy water.
For hard plastics, fill a bucket with soap and water. Dip 150-grit sandpaper into the soapy water and rub the surface in a circular motion. Cover every faded area 5-6 times. Next, use a sheet of 220-grit sandpaper and repeat the process, again rubbing in a circular motion and covering each section 5-6 times before rinsing the surface. If scratch marks remain, continue using a finer grit sandpaper until they disappear.
For soft plastics, mix a third of a cup of liquid laundry detergent with two-thirds of a cup of all-purpose household cleaner. Then, add one quart of bleach and one gallon of water. Add the mixture to a spray bottle and spray the discolored area. Leave it to soak for 2-3 minutes before rinsing the area with cold water. Wash the plastic thoroughly with soap and water to ensure no detergent or bleach residue remains.
If the plastic toy is only lightly stained, a simple mixture of soap and warm water can be used. Dip a scrubbing brush into the solution and scrub away any stains, scuffs, and dirt. For tough marks, let the solution soak on the surface for a little longer. You can also use a damp sponge or cloth to wipe away marks, and then rinse and dry the surface to avoid streaking or stickiness.
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Use a bleach solution
To restore faded plastic outdoor toys, you can use a bleach solution. This method is suitable for softer plastics, which are typically found in children's toys.
First, put on thick rubber gloves and protective goggles. Then, mix 1/3 cup (79 mL) of liquid laundry detergent with 2/3 cup (160 mL) of all-purpose household cleaner. Next, add 1 US quart (950 mL) of bleach and 1 US gallon (3.8 L) of water. Mix the ingredients together and pour the solution into a spray bottle.
Take the faded plastic toy outside and place it on top of some old newspapers to protect the surrounding area. Spray the discoloured areas of the toy with the bleach solution. Let the solution soak into the plastic for 2-3 minutes, then rinse the area with cold water. Finally, wash the toy thoroughly with soap and water to remove any detergent or bleach residue.
If the toy has any glossy areas, lightly sand them with fine-grit sandpaper before applying the bleach solution to ensure the paint adheres properly. For harder plastics, you can use soapy water and sandpaper to remove oxidation and restore the toy's appearance.
Alternatively, you can use a heat gun to restore faded plastic toys, but this method may not be as effective in the long term.
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Apply vinegar
To restore faded plastic outdoor toys with vinegar, you can use either distilled vinegar or white vinegar. Mix around five cups (1.2 litres) of vinegar with one gallon (3.8 litres) of hot water. Pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle.
Take your plastic toys outside and spray the solution directly onto the faded areas of the toys. Hold the spray bottle about one to two feet (0.30-0.61 metres) away from the toys. Use a scrub brush to work the vinegar around the toys and scrub the solution into the surface.
If the toys are still faded, you can repeat the process. However, instead of letting the vinegar and water sit, scrub it into the surface with a clean sponge. If the toys are made of vinyl plastic, such as car mats or gym mats, this method is safe to use.
For headlights, you can also use a mixture of vinegar and water to restore them. Clean the headlights thoroughly, then spray the mixture onto the plastic.
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Try car polish
If your outdoor toys are made of plastic, they are likely to fade due to sun exposure, which traps dirt in the plastic. One way to restore the colour is to use car polish.
Firstly, wash the plastic toys with water and car soap. Fill a bucket with one part car soap and two parts water, then soak a sponge in the mixture. Scrub the plastic toys with the sponge, using circular motions until any dirt and residue are completely removed. Rinse off the soap with water and dry the toys with a microfiber cloth.
Next, apply the car polish. Car polish can be used to restore the shine and colour of the plastic. Choose a car polish that is suitable for plastic surfaces and follow the instructions on the product label. Typically, you will need to apply the car polish to a soft cloth and then rub it onto the plastic surface using circular motions.
For best results, you may need to repeat the process several times. You can also try using a finer grit sandpaper to remove any remaining scratch marks.
If the plastic toys have any painted details, be sure to protect these areas by covering them with masking tape before applying the car polish. Car polish is a mild abrasive, so it may remove paint or other surface treatments.
Car polish can be an effective way to restore the appearance of faded plastic outdoor toys, but it is important to test it on a small area first to ensure it does not cause any further damage.
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Paint the plastic
If your plastic outdoor toys have designs or decorations, use masking tape to mark off different areas based on colour. Work with one colour at a time and let the paint dry fully before removing the masking tape and moving on to a new colour.
Before painting, check the toy carefully for any glossy areas that the paint won't adhere to. Lightly sand those areas with fine-grit sandpaper, giving it a slightly rough surface. Wipe down the toy with a soft cloth, removing any plastic dust.
Cover the ground with old newspapers and position the toy on top. Hold the spray paint can at least 10 inches away from the toy, and apply an even coating of paint to the faded plastic. Check the toy carefully for any uneven patches and wipe them away while the paint is still wet. When the paint dries, apply a second coat or use a different colour in a different area.
As with most spray paints, apply the paint in thin layers and build up the colour gradually. If you apply too thick a coat, you'll end up with drips and runs. Thankfully, spray paint dries very quickly, so by the time you've made it all the way around the toy, the starting point may already be dry. Be careful when painting all the corners and crevices on the toy. Inspect your work from all angles with the help of a flashlight to see if you've missed anything. You may also want to paint the toy in two or three stages so that you have a better viewing angle.
Once you are satisfied with the first layer of paint, set it aside to dry. Drying times will depend on the paint, so be sure to read the label to find out.
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