Re: ARM RESToration
Posted by 53 Cavalier On 2024/1/20 11:57:08
Quote:
I'm used to plastics getting foggy because they are dry, but this white stuff is on the surface. Soaking them in a sink of warm soapy water soften it and it came off without too much effort. Maybe humidity helped to create the reaction? I guess if that's as bad as it got in 70 years, now that it's cleaned up it should be good for quite a while. The plastic looks good and is still malleable.
When you're looking at the pictures, the distortion is where the plastic is no longer straight. See below picture.
I have a marine grade vinyl for the armrests. The upholstery shop said I will be surprised by how much it will stretch with just a bit of heat. They said it won't be a problem at all, even for a beginner! We'll see!
Attach file:
armrests.jpg (74.30 KB)
Fish'n Jim wrote:
Plastics often have mineral fillers, like calcium carbonate, etc. and that might be what the white stuff is if the surface was oxidized, but can't tell from a pic. ie, sign of degradation likely. It might be advised to paint the plastic bases if they're not cosmetically good/preserve. There's special spray paints for plastics, may need a surface prep/adhesion coat.
I'd check the filler foam you select on a small section first so it doesn't soften or otherwise destroy the plastic. Could end up with goo. Shouldn't need filling, if they're sound.
I'm not sure where the deformation is from the pics and heating may not be advised as they were made in a mold and to heat them without could cause more distortion. It's also 70 years old so the plasticizers etc, may not be good and may crack, burn, etc. instead. You'd need a temperature controlled oven set to anneal the specific plastic and not just a heat gun which will ensure uneven heating.
Fabric backed vinyls come in different thicknesses, so need to make sure it's the right kind so it can be formed properly.
I'm used to plastics getting foggy because they are dry, but this white stuff is on the surface. Soaking them in a sink of warm soapy water soften it and it came off without too much effort. Maybe humidity helped to create the reaction? I guess if that's as bad as it got in 70 years, now that it's cleaned up it should be good for quite a while. The plastic looks good and is still malleable.
When you're looking at the pictures, the distortion is where the plastic is no longer straight. See below picture.
I have a marine grade vinyl for the armrests. The upholstery shop said I will be surprised by how much it will stretch with just a bit of heat. They said it won't be a problem at all, even for a beginner! We'll see!
Attach file:
armrests.jpg (74.30 KB)This Post was from: https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=267114