Author Topic: Retro bright  (Read 1899 times)

Tyler S

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Retro bright
« on: May 16, 2021, 15:35:55 »
Yesterday I did a little experiment to see if I could retrobright my hard top grab handles back to their original grey color. Yellowing is caused by Bromine in the plastic/rubber breaking down over time.
It seemed to work well. I used a 12% hydrogen peroxide hair cream bleaching product. Masked off the affected area,  applied the product, covered with plastic wrap, and then exposed it to UV under 2 black lights for 4 hours. Will rinse and repeat for the second handle.
« Last Edit: May 16, 2021, 16:20:22 by Tyler S. »
1968 (67) 250sl. 4 speed manual. DB180 Silver
1955 220 Cabriolet A. White Grey
2019 E450 Wagon. Majestic Blue
1936 Ford PU Flathead V8. Creme on tan interior.
1989 Volkswagen T3 Westfailia Campmobile. Dove Grey (blue)

Pawel66

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Re: Retro bright
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2021, 16:03:01 »
Nice result!
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

Jonny B

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Re: Retro bright
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2021, 16:12:31 »
Quite a neat approach.
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

kampala

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Re: Retro bright
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2021, 16:24:21 »
Inspired!

Obviously can only be thought of by someone with hair. That’s why it never occurred to me.

Pretty impressive. 

250sl - later - manual
280sl - 1971 - Auto - LSD

Tyler S

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Re: Retro bright
« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2021, 16:57:56 »
Oops. Almost forgot this pre process photo. You can see the difference in color where the chrome escutcheon covered the end of the handle.
Another interesting point my original sun visors were also originally factory gray but looked creme because of the yellowing. Upholstery code #201 called out for white headliner, grey sun visors and grab handles, and anthracite sill mats.
I’m wondering how many cars had their originally grey sun visors replaced with creme or biscuit, not knowing the original color was light grey because of the Bromine damage.
« Last Edit: May 16, 2021, 20:30:28 by Tyler S. »
1968 (67) 250sl. 4 speed manual. DB180 Silver
1955 220 Cabriolet A. White Grey
2019 E450 Wagon. Majestic Blue
1936 Ford PU Flathead V8. Creme on tan interior.
1989 Volkswagen T3 Westfailia Campmobile. Dove Grey (blue)

49er

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Re: Retro bright
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2021, 19:16:36 »
 After reading this, I dug out an old photo taken in '69 to compare with a current photo of my car's sun visors which shows the original cream color seems to have held up unchanged over the years. Maybe the grey pigmentation was more susceptible to the bromine degradiation?

John
« Last Edit: May 16, 2021, 22:13:36 by 49er »
1969 280SL 003820
Un Restored, All Original, including the paint
Original Owner, Purchased September 18, 1968
4 speed manual, PS. 77217 miles
7280 miles since awoken from her 20+ yr "nap" in 2010

ChrisInNashville

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Re: Retro bright
« Reply #6 on: May 16, 2021, 19:49:13 »
Wow...I should have paid more attention in high school chemistry... ;D
‘69 280 SL
‘24 GLE450e
Tennessee, USA