How to un-yellow plastic?

March 22, 2014 2:08 PM

The plastic frames of my favourite pair of sunglasses have turned yellow :( Looking for strategies to return them to their original colour. Google results lean towards turning yellowed plastics back to white or seem like they would be really harsh on the lenses.
posted by kitkatcathy to Grab Bag (8 answers total)

What's the original color? I looked at the picture you posted, if I saw you on the streets wearing that I'd assume that was how they were designed.
posted by arnicae at 2:15 PM on March 22, 2014

Response by poster: Mint green. Thanks!
posted by kitkatcathy at 2:20 PM on March 22, 2014

For real Ray Bans, I would try to get Ray Ban to replace them. That shouldn't happen.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 3:22 PM on March 22, 2014 [4 favorites]

Yipes, yeah if those are real Ray Bans I'd contact them.
posted by radioamy at 5:26 PM on March 22, 2014

The yellowing seems to be isolated to areas where you'd touch the frames with your fingers. Is it possible that it's not the plastic yellowing the way plastic normally yellows (from exposure to UV light or whatever), but actually some sort of shmutz or stain? I'm thinking maybe fake tanner? Cheeto dust?

If that's the case, you'd need to go at it completely differently depending on what the actual cause is. A damp rag would be a good start, though.
posted by Sys Rq at 5:34 PM on March 22, 2014

Yeah, RB/Luxottica should warranty those.
posted by a halcyon day at 9:58 PM on March 22, 2014

It looks kinda just dirty to me, too. I'd put painter's tape on the lenses and rub a little with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, since it doesn't look like a glossy finish. Maybe try an out-of-the-way spot first.
posted by Andrhia at 6:45 AM on March 23, 2014

Could that be where you had sunscreen on your face and it rubbed off onto the frames? Bon Ami or Barkeeper's Friend might be just mildly abrasive enough to remove the discoloration.

But yeah, this should be covered under warranty.
posted by Coffeemate at 7:46 PM on March 23, 2014