Washing the washer bottle - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Longhorn Man · 12-15-2002, 01:24 PM

I have a washer bottle that is all yukkey and yellowed...just like any 30 year old plastic part would be.
Does any one have a secret to making it white again that does not make it hard and brittle, and does not include spray paint?
I was thinking bleach at first, but that stuff can make things do funny stuff.

Lippyp · 12-15-2002, 02:44 PM

Try normal clothes washing detergent (preferably the stuff for your whites!), nice strong hot solution, leave it soaking inside and outside overnight, a good scrub with a stiff brush, rinse and your plastic will be as clean as it's ever going to be. If the plastic has yellowed then there is pretty much nothing you can do about it as this is an irreversable change in the plastic caused by UV light. The bottle on my 67 came up nice and bright after a soak and scrub though. This also works well on other plastic parts such as light lenses to get the ingrained dirt out of the little dips and patterns.

72MARIO · 12-15-2002, 03:21 PM

What would happen if you put it in the dish washer ? Mabye that would work ?

BUXMAN66 · 12-15-2002, 05:16 PM

ditto what lippy said.i did the same thing and let it set over nite.looked pretty good.steer clear of the concourse d'elegance events though!

*Gee_Emm* · 12-15-2002, 05:29 PM

Geez man break down and buy a new one, what are they like $5.00 :P

They are still available from the dealer.

Longhorn Man · 12-15-2002, 11:59 PM

I know they are avalable...but if I'm gonna spend 5 bucks on it...I'll buy 5 plgs and wait for 3 mor dollars.

I kinda figured the yellow was there for good. I'll try the soak thing.
No dish washer...I had thought about that one already. Hmmmm, my sister has one though.....

70c10 · 12-16-2002, 08:58 AM

Unfortunately, that yellow seems to be impregnated into the plastic forever.

crazy longhorn · 12-16-2002, 09:10 AM

LMAO @ Longhorn! You do have a good idea tho.....its better to use Sis"s dishwasher &rile her .......she will probably forgive you,but you never know about the wifey (mine hates me for life)::p If the jug still holds coolant......it just a little slimy......its still good!

*Gee_Emm* · 12-16-2002, 10:04 AM

I will put 25 cents towards the fund :P

Iron-Butt · 12-16-2002, 08:44 PM

tried soaking my but it is still yellow

Lippyp · 12-17-2002, 04:34 AM

You'll never get rid of the yellow, it is down to chemical changes within the plastic caused by age, UV light, pollution etc. It will; be throughout the depth of the plastic, the detergent trick just washes all the old ingrained crud off the surface.

12-15-2002, 01:24 PM	#1
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Washing the washer bottle I have a washer bottle that is all yukkey and yellowed...just like any 30 year old plastic part would be. Does any one have a secret to making it white again that does not make it hard and brittle, and does not include spray paint? I was thinking bleach at first, but that stuff can make things do funny stuff.

12-15-2002, 02:44 PM	#2
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	Try normal clothes washing detergent (preferably the stuff for your whites!), nice strong hot solution, leave it soaking inside and outside overnight, a good scrub with a stiff brush, rinse and your plastic will be as clean as it's ever going to be. If the plastic has yellowed then there is pretty much nothing you can do about it as this is an irreversable change in the plastic caused by UV light. The bottle on my 67 came up nice and bright after a soak and scrub though. This also works well on other plastic parts such as light lenses to get the ingrained dirt out of the little dips and patterns. __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission

12-15-2002, 03:21 PM	#3
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	What would happen if you put it in the dish washer ? Mabye that would work ? __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

12-15-2002, 05:16 PM	#4
BUXMAN66 go bucks! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: MIAMISBURG OHIO USA Posts: 803	ditto what lippy said.i did the same thing and let it set over nite.looked pretty good.steer clear of the concourse d'elegance events though! __________________ '68 swb 1/2t 350/350th '86 lngbd 3/4 TON parts getter '49 gmc 1/2 t 5 window 350/350th '96 gmc sonoma sle ext-cab. hey it's a 4cyl. 5 spd and good on gas y'know?

12-16-2002, 08:58 AM	#7
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	Unfortunately, that yellow seems to be impregnated into the plastic forever. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

12-15-2002, 05:29 PM	#5
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 3,991	Geez man break down and buy a new one, what are they like $5.00 :P They are still available from the dealer.

12-15-2002, 11:59 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	I know they are avalable...but if I'm gonna spend 5 bucks on it...I'll buy 5 plgs and wait for 3 mor dollars. I kinda figured the yellow was there for good. I'll try the soak thing. No dish washer...I had thought about that one already. Hmmmm, my sister has one though.....

12-16-2002, 09:10 AM	#8
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	LMAO @ Longhorn! You do have a good idea tho.....its better to use Sis"s dishwasher &rile her .......she will probably forgive you,but you never know about the wifey (mine hates me for life)::p If the jug still holds coolant......it just a little slimy......its still good! __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

12-16-2002, 10:04 AM	#9
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 3,991	I will put 25 cents towards the fund :P

12-16-2002, 08:44 PM	#10
Iron-Butt 454 club Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,348	tried soaking my but it is still yellow __________________ David 1965 Chevrolet c-10 454 automatic Custom bbw swb. 1965 Chevrolet C-10 swb (Sold) 1963 Chevrolet C-10 6 Cyl automatic with dual exhaust, pb, ps and 17's. R.I.P "I will miss you. 1967 Chevrolet C-10 6 Cyl Custom lwb 1939 Chevrolet Coupe, 350 v8 automatic. 1935 Chevrolet 2 Dr Standard in the works. 2015 Harley Davidson Street Glide. 2023 Chevrolet Stingray Z51 Convertible. I never want to grow up.

12-17-2002, 04:34 AM	#11
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	You'll never get rid of the yellow, it is down to chemical changes within the plastic caused by age, UV light, pollution etc. It will; be throughout the depth of the plastic, the detergent trick just washes all the old ingrained crud off the surface. __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission



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