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Hi Folks,

Anyone have experience restoring the color of plastic parts? Specifically, I have a 212 that works very well and is physically in great shape, however it has discoloration on the plastic (looks like chemical bleaching). Is there a means of re-dying the plastic?

Thanks,
Stefan

/g/TekScopes/album?id=263854

Are you sure that the plastic itself has changed color? If looks like the grey spots are collected in depressions of the plastic's texture, which suggests that it is a separate material that has been worn away by handling. Admittedly, his interpretation is contradicted by the fact that we don't seem to see the discoloration on the screen, metal, or beige plastic parts, but I had very similar grey spatter on a 475, which was removed using isopropyl alcohol (and a generous amount of elbow grease).

I would try soaking the case in IPA and then rubbing with a soft cloth or paper towel. Maybe start with just the fold out foot and see how it works.

-- Jeff Dutky

Looking at case parts I have for the 2XX handhelds, the color pigment looks like it is molded into the plastic through and through, rather than being paint. The discolored spots were probably caused by light or chemicals bleaching the pigment. It probably doesn't go very deep, handling the case has likely abraded the bleached layer off, but it remains in the depressed areas of the texture. You could try some automotive cleaning compound applied with a brush to see if the faded layer can be removed. When used on vehicles, it's purpose is to remove the oxidized and faded surface and reveal the vivid paint color underneath.

??? Bruce Gentry, KA2IVY

Thanks for the suggestions. I can very confidently say that the discoloration is not a deposit. There are spots on both textured and smooth surfaces. When I first acquired the scope, there was some dry spots on the screen, but they came off with IPA and left no etching. And yes, the plastic is blue throughout.

If there were spots on the screen that were removed without removing the material of the screen ("etching"), then they MUST be a deposit, and not a chemical change to the plastic itself.

I agree with Bruce's observation that the spots could still be bleaching, but if the grey spots appeared on other parts of the unit (e.g. the metal parts below the display) and were removed without damaging the material beneath, then they are clearly not bleaching of the plastic (since metal can't be bleached like that, and the clear plastic did not show signs of etching after removing the grey spots).

I still think its worth a try soaking in IPA and going over the case with a stiff toothbrush (not a wire brush, which is certain to damage the plastic).

-- Jeff Dutky

I have had that sort of result because of accidental splatter from using an aerosol solvent like a de-greaser or flux remover.

I never had any luck trying to reverse it.