Cleaning old, yellow plastic parts

[Downunder35m]

I noticed that my covers on the spotties turned quite yellow.
First step was a slight polish, which not just just removed some of the staining but also gave them a clearer look.
But even with the polish designed to clean old lamps it was next to impossible to get them crystal clear again.
As a last resort I made a mix of pool chlorine, alcohol and peroxide to soak them over night and I am now quite happy with the result.
There is still a slight discoloration in the center caused by the intense UV from the HID lamp but it is acceptable.
I was wondering if there are other solutions to remove yellow staining that don't involve using chlorine gas or stuff that makes the house smell like someone cleaned a homicide scene?
What are your recipies to clean old plastics to give them a new lease of life?

[Shopping Trolley]

Gumption or the Jiff cream. Works a treat and doesn't scratch the light covers. It didn't even take off the light force logo.

[MTN-KAT]

Toothpaste! Haven't used it as mine are glass and no spotties, but daughter Rav4 are plastic and sunned out. When I youtube'd for a solution there was an example of how good a job toothpaste can do. Downunder may have got it as good as it gets (hey, I'm sure there is a movie by that name). I have used WD40 on them and makes a noteable difference. Puts oil back in the surface.

[Downunder35m]

I found a nice recipe online that showed very good results on game consoles and computer parts.
Only problem is that it involves some quite agressive chemicals, worst about it the use of chlorine gas to get a reaction in the cleaning solution.
Bit short on stained plastics now but I will test it when I get a chance and experiment with different ways of getting chlorine in the solution.
Will update once I found something that does the job quick and easy.
Toothpaste was something I tried earlier but had no luck on clear plastics like polycarbonate and ABS.

[Shopping Trolley]

I started with the toothpaste on advice from the 4wd shop. I got good results but quickly realised it was going to be an expensive process (approx. 10 years on the front of various cars will make them fairly yellow). That's when I tried the jiff and it worked a treat. The toothpaste did smell good though.

[vladguan]

I would like to add that Meguiars paint cleaner is also very good at it. I used it on wife's old Ford Festiva with milky headlights and it cleared up like almost new. Plastic restoration/back to black may also work. It gets rid of surface oxidation etc.

[blackdragon]

[QUOTE]What are your recipies to clean old plastics to give them a new lease of life?[/QUOTE]

I'd need to check with the ex wife, I remember most of the off the shelf body soaps didn't work on her

[Dicko1]

[QUOTE]What are your recipies to clean old plastics to give them a new lease of life?[/QUOTE]

I'd need to check with the ex wife, I remember most of the off the shelf body soaps didn't work on her

HAHAHA ...Your not using her nickname as your username are you?

[blackdragon]

....ummm nope

[bacon]

Just about any car polish with a little cutting action will do .I know the local repair shop uses " T Cut "

[Stevie-Ray]

I'd need to check with the ex wife, I remember most of the off the shelf body soaps didn't work on her

Reminds of a bloke I used to know who called his wife's make-up 'antique-restorer'!

[vladguan]

Just to confirm back to black works. I used it on the spoiler of my old car before trading it in as it appeared to have clear coat damage but most likely oxidation and it restored it nicely. As with anything test in a small area first.

[Dicko1]

I use a heat gun on faded black plastic. Recently rejuvenated a fishing tackle box. Came up like brand new. Its an old trick that has been around for a long time. Just be careful using the heat gun. Too much heat can cause melting. Have seen it used on many a black plastic bumper bar wit outstanding results.

[blackdragon]

Reminds of a bloke I used to know who called his wife's make-up 'antique-restorer'!

you know your ex is so old when she signs up with a match making web site and gets refused because they don't do carbon dating

[Downunder35m]

There is a reason why boats always have female names.....