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I've been diving into restoring some of my old plastic toys from the 80s, and the fading colors are a real issue. The most common culprit seems to be UV exposure, leading to yellowing and dullness, especially on brighter colors like reds and yellows. Has anyone had good luck reversing this effect without damaging the plastic itself?
I've seen some methods thrown around online, ranging from mild soapy water and gentle scrubbing, to more aggressive approaches like using hydrogen peroxide solutions and UV lights (retrobrite).I'm particularly wary of the retrobrite method, as I've read it can make the plastic brittle over time if not done carefully.
Anyone have tried-and-true methods they've discovered? Specifically,has anyone found a good way to protect toys after restoring them to prevent future fading? Maybe a specific type of sealant or storage solution that works well? I'm really hoping to preserve these toys for years to come.