OMG, I did as this guy said and I was very impressed. I was ready to take my table and chairs to the tip until I came across this video. Brilliant. My family was impress.
Glad I could help. I must be honest though, those chairs are looking a bit worn again. I think it's just the intense sun we get here that fades them quickly. Feel free to let me know how your chairs turn out.
Yes I love the idea, glad I looked at this I was given two old plastic chairs that I was just about to run out and buy some paint but since I will be selling these at a yard sale I like your idea much better, it's cheaper that $7.00 Spray Can or even a $ 15.00 can of paint not counting any brushes etc. This is definitely the way to go for me!
That actually sounds like an excellent idea. I've used Liquid Gold on wood paneling in the past. I suspect the reason it worked so well is that it might be like what one other visitor suggested, a drying oil. In other words, it refreshes the oils but drys up unlike the petroleum jelly so you don't have to worry about peoples backsides after sitting on it. Was that the case for you?
Rather than using regular paper towels, try with mechanic's blue towels because they actually are made to absorb oil(s) anyways. i also use the blue towels for excessive grease pick up like from bacon grease or frying pans . also, i recommend laying out towels under the feet of each chair because petroleum oil warmed up can be secretly drippy. you can apply on faded vinyl dashboards as well. Just a thought.
I've seen others do that and the flamethrower trick. The point here was to find something involving stuff most people would already own. Granted, maybe a hair dryer would work, but would take a while and possibly burn it out. Toothpaste is something I hope everyone has and petroleum jelly is also pretty common.
Doing the flamethrower makes it brittle because you're pulling out oils from within the plastic to the surface, doing this is actually way better because it looks new again but doesn't destroy it.
I’ve got exactly the same badly faded chairs. What I did, was to sand them down, clean with white spirit, and give two light coats of green at 2 hour intervals with plastic paint. The eight chairs and table is now very shiny indeed. Absolutely inexpensive. You need to do this indoors, as in the shed or garage out of the sun, and reducing dust blowing on the paint. Use lint free free cloth. And make sure to use ample elbow grease. Good luck.
Was just trying something Called Rejuvinate Restorer for Patio chairs and change was minimal and expensive. Going to try your cleaning first with toothpaste before I use remaining maybe it will help. Thanks for the tips. If this doesn't work will likely try all the steps.
After a tip from somewhere else on the internet, I did something very similar with Mineral Oil which, like Petroleum Jelly, never dries. It just comes off on your pants a little at a time. So instead I tried a drying oil, Linseed Oil, which you can get at any art supply store for painting. It works just as well, but it will dry in a day or two so it doesn't come off on your clothes. A thin application will help it dry faster.
***** This was an intriguing idea. So much so that I did a little research. My question to you would be, have you had any problems with yellowing or mildew? If not, this could be a good solution for some old chairs at my parents' place since I no longer manage the apartment building where I shot the original video.
Ed Michel No, I've had neither of those problems. Since only a very thin application is necessary, (wipe off as much excess as possible so that it dries faster) there's not much there to cause problems. If you want to experiment, another idea I've seen but not tried is automotive wax.
Sorry to hear that, but glad my method worked. Honestly, that's the nature of experimentation. Sometimes ideas work, sometimes they don't, but you don't know unless you try. I just tried to build a small garden stand out of a single Cedar fence board. Way too rickety with the original design. Will try again soon. :)
I just rebleached my resin chair - yes, I destroyed the finish with bleach years ago. That worked very well, though. They do dirty up fast if there's not a protective top layer applied. There is absolutely no gloss finish on the chair anymore. I wanted to use either car wax or a spray polyurethane to get a glossy finish on the chair. Should these work okay? Would one work better than the other in your opinion? The chair was a lighter beige and is now next to white. Might not recommend trying the beach routine on a colored chair.
These are all good questions. Unfortunately, I made this video almost 10 years ago and I no longer have the chairs. Honestly, the idea was just to do something on the cheap, but I have since realized that the plastic gets weaker and weaker when exposed to the sun, so you're chairs are likely on borrowed time if they are more than a few years old. That said, there have been suggestions made in the comments that might help, but if you want a glossy code and not a greasy backside, the spray paint made for plastics MIGHT be your best bet, plus you can pick a new color. Hope that helps.
@@EdMichel99 Thank you, Ed, for replying so quickly! My chair is in a shaded area and is still in very good shape except for the finish. Spray paint for plastic - wonderful! Didn't really know that existed. That is now my choice! Two little side tables will be getting the same treatment. Glad I asked! Thank you!
I came here because I have two chairs the same color green. What I was going to use is a dollar store can of furniture polish. I looked up the ingredients and I think it will have the same effect as the petroleum jelly. Wish me luck! lol
Meguiar's Ultimate Black Plastic Restorer. Its $10 for 12 oz. bottle. Buy at any Auto Parts Store. Works like a dream, safe on all colors, I will never use jelly or any other crap ever again.. Works on all plastics, colors, and vinyls. $10 and the bottle goes far, you don't need much on your rag. Rubs on lightly, puts oils back into plastic, shines like new, shine STAYS and no fading for months. After wiped clean its non-greasy feeling. Not much work involved.... shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/meguiar-s-ultimate-black-plastic-restorer-12-oz.-g15812/7570011-p&c3ch=PLA&c3nid=7570011-P?iv_=__iv_p_1_a_214327102_g_12425515822_w_pla-286886688652_h_9015652_ii__d_c_v__n_g_x_pla_y_6201684_f_online_o_7570011-P_z_US_i_en_j_286886688652_s__vi__&ACQ&PLA&gclid=Cj0KEQjwioHIBRCes6nP56Ti1IsBEiQAxxb5G_pWX1xRpuqAZuX32bV4SRKQjFm7QtwQ2cLTkc45-ikaAnfA8P8HAQ
Wonder after cleaned and back to white about trying a car wax to put a shine and repel dirt. Ed where are you? How long did your Petroleum last and are you thinking of trying something else next time? The P. Jelly really made your green chairs look new. Thanks
I've actually been really busy the last month packing to move. The Budget Garden will be back sometime soon, just don't know when yet. As for how long the jelly lasted, probably only a few months in driving sun. If you want to try wax, perhaps do that instead of the jelly. I was just using what I already had on hand. My only concern would be to remove as much as you can (buff like crazy) to ensure people don't get it on their backsides. That's the same concern as the Jelly. If you try something different and have a camera, go ahead and post it on here on TH-cam.
appreciate the tip. I acquired 12 faded green patio chairs from a local golf course for a total of $10 (less than a buck a chair). It took quite a while to conduct each step process to all 12 chairs however I ended up selling this 12 chair set for $80. Two notable facts to share: 1. before the "applying toothpaste" process, you may have to use a little soap and water first. Unlike the White Patio chairs where the ground in dirt and light green moss/mildew is Very Visible, the green chairs camouflage these areas. Toothpaste alone may not clean it throughly. a quick once over with a mild scrubby sponge and water before you begin with the toothpaste may save you from having to repeat a step later. 2. It may take a couple days, of monitoring and wiping the access petroleum jelly as it goes through the soaking and bleeding process, before you can safely use the chairs regularly. Definitely an effective method of restoration "if you have the patience and (attention to detail) know how to do it right. Thank You
Thank you also for the deeper test. I only had three chairs and did hose them down regularly before I tried this, but you make a very good point about green mildew against green plastic. So I guess the new plan should be 1. Clean off any surface dirt/mildew. 2. Toothpaste 3. Petroleum Jelly or other appropriate oil. Another suggestion was made here in the comments about "drying" oils which should avoid the repeated wipedowns. I'm glad it worked so well for you.
Thanks for the idea. I was wondering if car wax or rubbing compound might do the same thing. Hate the idea of pet. jelly leaching on someone's clothes -just in case.
This video is pretty old now and in my case the chairs were just about headed for the garbage before I tried what I did. I had to wipe down the petroleum jelly several times before it stopped leaching back out. Even then I did worry about it a bit. Ultimately there are some other suggestions if you read through the comments. I really appreciate so many people chiming in.
I've recently found a new cleaner that might be even simpler if you can find it, but I need to run some tests and will post another video if it works well enough.
I appreciate the positive feedback. I would also encourage reading through these comments as I no longer have those chairs and there have been some interesting alternative suggestions in the comments here. The technique should still work, but I just want this to be a community where people can share their successes (and failures) and suggest alternatives.
Forget about the tooth paste - use an electric 1,600 psi power washer with the smaller concentrated nozzle to remove most of the oxidation followed by ordinary polishing compound from the auto parts store if necessary. You could also try liquid dishwasher detergent as a polish. Finish with Wipe New and the final results will be amazing. Never use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) because it's difficult to remove from the crannies and the result doesn't last, and may even cause subsequent oxidation of the PVC. Use the power washer on white PVC furniture and you'll be be stunned by the results. And also try to keep the furniture covered when not in use to protect it from direct sunlight.
That's a lot of good advice that I appreciate, but remember, I was just trying to do this with common household items. If I owned a power washer I might have used that. The best I have is a high pressure nozzle for a standard hose and we're also in a pretty severe drought here. I do like the idea of liquid dishwasher detergent. As for covering the furniture, this is an apartment building and those chairs are in a public area. I doubt the covers would stay on for long and would bake in the sun themselves. Great idea if I was a homeowner though.
That's a fair question. Ultimately you need to keep wiping down the chair after applying the petroleum jelly until your paper towels don't pick up any more greasy substance, then let it sit for a bit, check again and wipe as needed. I can't guarantee your results, but in my case I just kept wiping until the paper towels were dry and haven't had a problem since. In fact I may have gone a little too far because the chairs now need another treatment, but then I get pretty intense sun here. It's not a perfect solution, but it may be worth a try.
+Ed Michel I am shocked that you would spread petroleum jelly on public use chairs. Petroleum jelly is never going to prevent or inhibit the constant oxidation caused by sunlight. And it is a toxic chemical! Plus it is filthy, everything the wind blows over including just dust would stick to the finish. Why on earth didn't you just spray paint these chairs? The paint does seal them from further oxidation. The fact that you have already disposed of these chairs is more proof that this is NOT a viable option to "restore" or "refurbish" plastic furniture.
Kay Braun I'm not sure how much of the videos (this and the follow up) you watched or if you read the other comments, but you do have some valid concerns. First, I want to reiterate that this was an experiment intended to find a solution on the cheap. Second, I never had any complaints from any of the neighbors about greasy backsides. Third, I never said I tossed out the chairs. I am no longer managing that apartment complex, so I have no idea if the chairs are still there or what state they are in, but they were fine when I left in December of 2014 (9 months after the original experiment). I do have to ask you though, how is petroleum jelly considered a toxic chemical. They have sold it in the health and beauty aisle for years. I gather it's not healthy to consume, but why else would it be sold there if it's so toxic. Also, if you note in the video, I don't leave the jelly on for long, the point is to let it soak into the plastic for a bit, then wipe it down repeatedly until no more jelly comes off. -Ed
Thank you for sharing your efforts on these chairs.A neighbor tossed really good furniture and some of these chairs. Even though left stacked and questionable even used, they were a chore to clean being white. I feel like they will get dirty or moldy just looking at them. Since I am gifting to some low income elderly folks in church apartments without a yard to clean, I wondered about using a spray clear coat at least on the front part hoping dirt might be easier to slide off or slow down mold from growing on a roughed up service. Then I wondered if spray painted white was any different. Any guess whether a light coat of either would prolong the clean look? I have not yet done the petroleum jelly. Just wondering which way to go now. By now you may know how your finish did and have a feeling which I might try. TY
Thanks for the comment. I think that could work. I've recently experimented with using wax to clean up weathered black plastic trim on my car. I'm not prepared to do a video on that, but I wasn't too worried about any negative affect. My guess is it will lear off over time as the jelly did on the chairs. The other suggestion here in the comments was to use a drying oil which would soak in and the excess would evaporate. The main problem here is that most solutions, short of torching the chair or painting it would end up wearing out after a few months.
+Michael “Mike” Kehoe I honestly don't think it will matter. The main point of the toothpaste is as a polish. As such, a whitening toothpaste might be slightly better than regular toothpaste but I would just look for whatever is cheapest. I just go to the local dollar stores for projects like this. I would also recommend reading through the comments if you haven't already to see peoples concerns and suggestions.
+Michael “Mike” Kehoe I kind of suspected that, but I prefer to answer more seriously just in case it was a real concern. Sarcasm is harder to detect in text. Who know though, maybe someone will actually have that question.
sweetfour Glambert Haven't tried white chairs myself and no longer have those green ones. If anyone watching these comments has tried this with white chairs, please let us know. Meanwhile, my suspicion is that the toothpaste polish would work fairly well, but with white being the lightest color it may also be the least forgiving. See also, my next comment.
Don't even think about it ...they are about $10 each new and we just had an old one SHATTER on someone and could have had a very nasty injury. The chairs become brittle after a few years - even out of the sun!!! Get rid of them if they are more than 10 yrs old!!
Sorry to hear about your experience. Perhaps it does make sense to just give up on sun exposed plastics after a period of time. I'm guessing the manufacturers don't expect people to hang on to these so long so they don't worry so much about the UV durability of the plastics. Sill in some climates, the chairs may look a bit worn a bit faster. It's really up to the viewer to decide what they want to do and whether they will read the comments. Thanks for your input.
Great idea. I love ingenuity and inventiveness. There is a new product called Outdoor Renu. Its water based and comes with a cleaner made for plastics. It also comes with a rejuvenator that brings back color and the manufacturer says it will last for years.
KITTY KAT KATTITUDE bleach in a spray bottle spread evenly will restore your white chairs to a new shiny white surface. just generously spray the entire chair and leave it in the sun for a couple days. No scrubbing needed
Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. If you're talking about something like exterior house paint, I'm not sure it would work. For one, plastic could expand and contract more than standard house materials and could cause the paint to crack. For another, I'm not sure how good a bond you could get between the paint and plastic. If you want to paint, you would need a paint formulated to bond to plastic. If you go that way, you could also get real creative with multiple colors or fades. Whatever you do, I would love to hear about your experience.
LiveLife16 They make paint specifically for painting these type of "plastic chairs". I had the exact same green chairs ( some of mines had the high backs). I painted them red. One coast is good but 2 is better). They're absolutely beautiful. I get compliments ALL the time on them.
I can't guarantee anything, but on one of my cars I had fading black plastic trim. I gave it a good clean and then just applied wax. It seems to hold up for at least a couple of washes, so if you have the wax handy when you wash that just might work. Never tried the NuFinish stuff. If you're talking about the paint, I would NOT recommend this method.
OMG, I did as this guy said and I was very impressed. I was ready to take my table and chairs to the tip until I came across this video. Brilliant. My family was impress.
Nice video. This is a fun project for the kids with no harsh chemicals. I like that you saved chairs from the landfill. Great job.
Glad I could help. I must be honest though, those chairs are looking a bit worn again. I think it's just the intense sun we get here that fades them quickly. Feel free to let me know how your chairs turn out.
Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.
Yes I love the idea, glad I looked at this I was given two old plastic chairs that I was just about to run out and buy some paint but since I will be selling these at a yard sale I like your idea much better, it's cheaper that $7.00 Spray Can or even a $ 15.00 can of paint not counting any brushes etc. This is definitely the way to go for me!
I tried applying Liquid Gold spray furniture polish to a rag and lightly rubbing the chair. So far, so good and it looks like new!
That actually sounds like an excellent idea. I've used Liquid Gold on wood paneling in the past. I suspect the reason it worked so well is that it might be like what one other visitor suggested, a drying oil. In other words, it refreshes the oils but drys up unlike the petroleum jelly so you don't have to worry about peoples backsides after sitting on it. Was that the case for you?
After a week it is still holding up nicely on the chairs and they are not greasy feeling when you sit on them. I guess time will tell.
I was wondering how they held up over time?@@kylecathydagg2841
Rather than using regular paper towels, try with mechanic's blue towels because they actually are made to absorb oil(s) anyways. i also use the blue towels for excessive grease pick up like from bacon grease or frying pans . also, i recommend laying out towels under the feet of each chair because petroleum oil warmed up can be secretly drippy. you can apply on faded vinyl dashboards as well. Just a thought.
Great tips. Thanks for contributing.
I've seen others do that and the flamethrower trick. The point here was to find something involving stuff most people would already own. Granted, maybe a hair dryer would work, but would take a while and possibly burn it out. Toothpaste is something I hope everyone has and petroleum jelly is also pretty common.
Doing the flamethrower makes it brittle because you're pulling out oils from within the plastic to the surface, doing this is actually way better because it looks new again but doesn't destroy it.
I’ve got exactly the same badly faded chairs. What I did, was to sand them down, clean with white spirit, and give two light coats of green at 2 hour intervals with plastic paint. The eight chairs and table is now very shiny indeed. Absolutely inexpensive. You need to do this indoors, as in the shed or garage out of the sun, and reducing dust blowing on the paint. Use lint free free cloth. And make sure to use ample elbow grease. Good luck.
Was just trying something Called Rejuvinate Restorer for Patio chairs and change was minimal and expensive. Going to try your cleaning first with toothpaste before I use remaining maybe it will help. Thanks for the tips. If this doesn't work will likely try all the steps.
After a tip from somewhere else on the internet, I did something very similar with Mineral Oil which, like Petroleum Jelly, never dries. It just comes off on your pants a little at a time. So instead I tried a drying oil, Linseed Oil, which you can get at any art supply store for painting. It works just as well, but it will dry in a day or two so it doesn't come off on your clothes. A thin application will help it dry faster.
***** This was an intriguing idea. So much so that I did a little research. My question to you would be, have you had any problems with yellowing or mildew? If not, this could be a good solution for some old chairs at my parents' place since I no longer manage the apartment building where I shot the original video.
Ed Michel No, I've had neither of those problems. Since only a very thin application is necessary, (wipe off as much excess as possible so that it dries faster) there's not much there to cause problems. If you want to experiment, another idea I've seen but not tried is automotive wax.
Looks great but it looks tiring.Try a plumbers torch other guys are doing that
that tung oil worked for 2 years now i have the color all coming off and need to paint them
Try a hot air gun. It works really well. Just hot enough to melt the surface 😎
Mark.
Ed, it was awful. I used your method and it worked like a charm, thanks!
Sorry to hear that, but glad my method worked. Honestly, that's the nature of experimentation. Sometimes ideas work, sometimes they don't, but you don't know unless you try. I just tried to build a small garden stand out of a single Cedar fence board. Way too rickety with the original design. Will try again soon. :)
Great project. Instant gratification is a delight.
Use a wire scourer with kitchen cream cleaner and a bit of white vinegar in the bowl, will clean it all off!
Thanks for the tip and contributing to the community
Yes thank u I am going to try it
Thank you so much!
Good idea and thank you. Not only economical restoration but actually environmental. Now it is time for me to restore my own.
I just rebleached my resin chair - yes, I destroyed the finish with bleach years ago. That worked very well, though. They do dirty up fast if there's not a protective top layer applied. There is absolutely no gloss finish on the chair anymore. I wanted to use either car wax or a spray polyurethane to get a glossy finish on the chair. Should these work okay? Would one work better than the other in your opinion? The chair was a lighter beige and is now next to white. Might not recommend trying the beach routine on a colored chair.
These are all good questions. Unfortunately, I made this video almost 10 years ago and I no longer have the chairs. Honestly, the idea was just to do something on the cheap, but I have since realized that the plastic gets weaker and weaker when exposed to the sun, so you're chairs are likely on borrowed time if they are more than a few years old. That said, there have been suggestions made in the comments that might help, but if you want a glossy code and not a greasy backside, the spray paint made for plastics MIGHT be your best bet, plus you can pick a new color. Hope that helps.
@@EdMichel99 Thank you, Ed, for replying so quickly! My chair is in a shaded area and is still in very good shape except for the finish. Spray paint for plastic - wonderful! Didn't really know that existed. That is now my choice! Two little side tables will be getting the same treatment. Glad I asked! Thank you!
I came here because I have two chairs the same color green. What I was going to use is a dollar store can of furniture polish. I looked up the ingredients and I think it will have the same effect as the petroleum jelly. Wish me luck! lol
Please, let us all know how it goes.
Meguiar's Ultimate Black Plastic Restorer. Its $10 for 12 oz. bottle. Buy at any Auto Parts Store. Works like a dream, safe on all colors, I will never use jelly or any other crap ever again.. Works on all plastics, colors, and vinyls. $10 and the bottle goes far, you don't need much on your rag. Rubs on lightly, puts oils back into plastic, shines like new, shine STAYS and no fading for months. After wiped clean its non-greasy feeling. Not much work involved....
shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/meguiar-s-ultimate-black-plastic-restorer-12-oz.-g15812/7570011-p&c3ch=PLA&c3nid=7570011-P?iv_=__iv_p_1_a_214327102_g_12425515822_w_pla-286886688652_h_9015652_ii__d_c_v__n_g_x_pla_y_6201684_f_online_o_7570011-P_z_US_i_en_j_286886688652_s__vi__&ACQ&PLA&gclid=Cj0KEQjwioHIBRCes6nP56Ti1IsBEiQAxxb5G_pWX1xRpuqAZuX32bV4SRKQjFm7QtwQ2cLTkc45-ikaAnfA8P8HAQ
Now days you can purchase the spray can paint that's made specifically for outdoor plastic chairs and tables. You can get them at Lowes or Home Depot.
💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
Paint is more expensive than a.new chair
Wonder after cleaned and back to white about trying a car wax to put a shine and repel dirt. Ed where are you? How long did your Petroleum last and are you thinking of trying something else next time? The P. Jelly really made your green chairs look new. Thanks
I've actually been really busy the last month packing to move. The Budget Garden will be back sometime soon, just don't know when yet. As for how long the jelly lasted, probably only a few months in driving sun. If you want to try wax, perhaps do that instead of the jelly. I was just using what I already had on hand. My only concern would be to remove as much as you can (buff like crazy) to ensure people don't get it on their backsides. That's the same concern as the Jelly. If you try something different and have a camera, go ahead and post it on here on TH-cam.
appreciate the tip. I acquired 12 faded green patio chairs from a local golf course for a total of $10 (less than a buck a chair). It took quite a while to conduct each step process to all 12 chairs however I ended up selling this 12 chair set for $80.
Two notable facts to share:
1. before the "applying toothpaste" process, you may have to use a little soap and water first. Unlike the White Patio chairs where the ground in dirt and light green moss/mildew is Very Visible, the green chairs camouflage these areas. Toothpaste alone may not clean it throughly. a quick once over with a mild scrubby sponge and water before you begin with the toothpaste may save you from having to repeat a step later.
2. It may take a couple days, of monitoring and wiping the access petroleum jelly as it goes through the soaking and bleeding process, before you can safely use the chairs regularly.
Definitely an effective method of restoration "if you have the patience and (attention to detail) know how to do it right. Thank You
Thank you also for the deeper test. I only had three chairs and did hose them down regularly before I tried this, but you make a very good point about green mildew against green plastic. So I guess the new plan should be 1. Clean off any surface dirt/mildew. 2. Toothpaste 3. Petroleum Jelly or other appropriate oil. Another suggestion was made here in the comments about "drying" oils which should avoid the repeated wipedowns. I'm glad it worked so well for you.
I'm impressed. Thanks
Thanks for the idea. I was wondering if car wax or rubbing compound might do the same thing. Hate the idea of pet. jelly leaching on someone's clothes -just in case.
This video is pretty old now and in my case the chairs were just about headed for the garbage before I tried what I did. I had to wipe down the petroleum jelly several times before it stopped leaching back out. Even then I did worry about it a bit. Ultimately there are some other suggestions if you read through the comments. I really appreciate so many people chiming in.
Tried car wax doesn’t last then turns white again
My chair is EXACTLY the same. Thanks!
Try a little matching paint with the petroleum jelly... the use 393 protectant! Sweet project on you tube
I've recently found a new cleaner that might be even simpler if you can find it, but I need to run some tests and will post another video if it works well enough.
May I ask the name of the new cleaner?
Great idea...I will give it a try
I appreciate the positive feedback. I would also encourage reading through these comments as I no longer have those chairs and there have been some interesting alternative suggestions in the comments here. The technique should still work, but I just want this to be a community where people can share their successes (and failures) and suggest alternatives.
Forget about the tooth paste - use an electric 1,600 psi power washer with the smaller concentrated nozzle to remove most of the oxidation followed by ordinary polishing compound from the auto parts store if necessary. You could also try liquid dishwasher detergent as a polish. Finish with Wipe New and the final results will be amazing. Never use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) because it's difficult to remove from the crannies and the result doesn't last, and may even cause subsequent oxidation of the PVC. Use the power washer on white PVC furniture and you'll be be stunned by the results. And also try to keep the furniture covered when not in use to protect it from direct sunlight.
That's a lot of good advice that I appreciate, but remember, I was just trying to do this with common household items. If I owned a power washer I might have used that. The best I have is a high pressure nozzle for a standard hose and we're also in a pretty severe drought here. I do like the idea of liquid dishwasher detergent. As for covering the furniture, this is an apartment building and those chairs are in a public area. I doubt the covers would stay on for long and would bake in the sun themselves. Great idea if I was a homeowner though.
Thanks I will try it.
after cleaning just spray a light coat of clear spray paint....
How about armor all?
If we sit in the restored chaiir one month later in a clean white shirt will we stand up and find a bunch of green lines on our shirt?
That's a fair question. Ultimately you need to keep wiping down the chair after applying the petroleum jelly until your paper towels don't pick up any more greasy substance, then let it sit for a bit, check again and wipe as needed. I can't guarantee your results, but in my case I just kept wiping until the paper towels were dry and haven't had a problem since. In fact I may have gone a little too far because the chairs now need another treatment, but then I get pretty intense sun here. It's not a perfect solution, but it may be worth a try.
+Ed Michel
I am shocked that you would spread petroleum jelly on public use chairs. Petroleum jelly is never going to prevent or inhibit the constant oxidation caused by sunlight. And it is a toxic chemical! Plus it is filthy, everything the wind blows over including just dust would stick to the finish. Why on earth didn't you just spray paint these chairs? The paint does seal them from further oxidation. The fact that you have already disposed of these chairs is more proof that this is NOT a viable option to "restore" or "refurbish" plastic furniture.
Kay Braun
I'm not sure how much of the videos (this and the follow up) you watched or if you read the other comments, but you do have some valid concerns.
First, I want to reiterate that this was an experiment intended to find a solution on the cheap.
Second, I never had any complaints from any of the neighbors about greasy backsides.
Third, I never said I tossed out the chairs. I am no longer managing that apartment complex, so I have no idea if the chairs are still there or what state they are in, but they were fine when I left in December of 2014 (9 months after the original experiment).
I do have to ask you though, how is petroleum jelly considered a toxic chemical. They have sold it in the health and beauty aisle for years. I gather it's not healthy to consume, but why else would it be sold there if it's so toxic.
Also, if you note in the video, I don't leave the jelly on for long, the point is to let it soak into the plastic for a bit, then wipe it down repeatedly until no more jelly comes off.
-Ed
lanewalton oo
Thank you for sharing your efforts on these chairs.A neighbor tossed really good furniture and some of these chairs. Even though left stacked and questionable even used, they were a chore to clean being white. I feel like they will get dirty or moldy just looking at them.
Since I am gifting to some low income elderly folks in church apartments without a yard to clean, I wondered about using a spray clear coat at least on the front part hoping dirt might be easier to slide off or slow down mold from growing on a roughed up service. Then I wondered if spray painted white was any different. Any guess whether a light coat of either would prolong the clean look? I have not yet done the petroleum jelly. Just wondering which way to go now. By now you may know how your finish did and have a feeling which I might try. TY
I read somewhere instead of petroleum jelly to use Turtle Wax.
Thanks for the comment.
I think that could work. I've recently experimented with using wax to clean up weathered black plastic trim on my car. I'm not prepared to do a video on that, but I wasn't too worried about any negative affect. My guess is it will lear off over time as the jelly did on the chairs. The other suggestion here in the comments was to use a drying oil which would soak in and the excess would evaporate. The main problem here is that most solutions, short of torching the chair or painting it would end up wearing out after a few months.
BDazzled Designs :
I love it!!!!
I'm glad to hear it! :)
3M Tire Dressings works better. Clean chair, spray on dressing, let it dry, done.
When I pick up toothpaste, for this job, should I make sure it's Fluoridated?
+Michael “Mike” Kehoe I honestly don't think it will matter. The main point of the toothpaste is as a polish. As such, a whitening toothpaste might be slightly better than regular toothpaste but I would just look for whatever is cheapest. I just go to the local dollar stores for projects like this. I would also recommend reading through the comments if you haven't already to see peoples concerns and suggestions.
Ed, I'm sorry, but my comment was just a little silliness. Best to you.
+Michael “Mike” Kehoe I kind of suspected that, but I prefer to answer more seriously just in case it was a real concern. Sarcasm is harder to detect in text. Who know though, maybe someone will actually have that question.
Great idea 💡
Thank You!
Would it work that good on white chairs ?
sweetfour Glambert Haven't tried white chairs myself and no longer have those green ones. If anyone watching these comments has tried this with white chairs, please let us know. Meanwhile, my suspicion is that the toothpaste polish would work fairly well, but with white being the lightest color it may also be the least forgiving. See also, my next comment.
Don't even think about it ...they are about $10 each new and we just had an old one SHATTER on someone and could have had a very nasty injury. The chairs become brittle after a few years - even out of the sun!!! Get rid of them if they are more than 10 yrs old!!
Sorry to hear about your experience. Perhaps it does make sense to just give up on sun exposed plastics after a period of time. I'm guessing the manufacturers don't expect people to hang on to these so long so they don't worry so much about the UV durability of the plastics. Sill in some climates, the chairs may look a bit worn a bit faster. It's really up to the viewer to decide what they want to do and whether they will read the comments. Thanks for your input.
Great idea. I love ingenuity and inventiveness. There is a new product called Outdoor Renu. Its water based and comes with a cleaner made for plastics. It also comes with a rejuvenator that brings back color and the manufacturer says it will last for years.
Rich Winget p
great help. I have 5 chairs to do something with. problem is they are white. or were at one point. lol. maybe I'll paint them.
Let us all know how it works out.
KITTY KAT KATTITUDE bleach in a spray bottle spread evenly will restore your white chairs to a new shiny white surface. just generously spray the entire chair and leave it in the sun for a couple days. No scrubbing needed
Interesting.
What about just painting them with oil based paint??
Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. If you're talking about something like exterior house paint, I'm not sure it would work. For one, plastic could expand and contract more than standard house materials and could cause the paint to crack. For another, I'm not sure how good a bond you could get between the paint and plastic. If you want to paint, you would need a paint formulated to bond to plastic. If you go that way, you could also get real creative with multiple colors or fades. Whatever you do, I would love to hear about your experience.
Ed Michel Sounds like a plan! Thanks for the insight!!
LiveLife16 They make paint specifically for painting these type of "plastic chairs". I had the exact same green chairs ( some of mines had the high backs). I painted them red. One coast is good but 2 is better). They're absolutely beautiful. I get compliments ALL the time on them.
hi tried jelly and wd40 both worked but wd40 was the better but you have to try for yourself
Thanks for the tip. I'm no longer at that location as this was a few years ago. Still I appreciate your contribution.
Another word for “ fadedness” is “ oxidisation “.
My dentist said to use 1/4 inch of toothpaste on your tooth brush and no more.
Really!! Was thinking you was going to traforme it in to something special😄😄
Just paint it with latex house paint
should work the same on car bumpers
You think this would work on cars too?Nu Finish
I can't guarantee anything, but on one of my cars I had fading black plastic trim. I gave it a good clean and then just applied wax. It seems to hold up for at least a couple of washes, so if you have the wax handy when you wash that just might work. Never tried the NuFinish stuff. If you're talking about the paint, I would NOT recommend this method.
كويس راح اجراب
Better not sit on it wearing white shorts lol
.... Good info. Bloody horrid music.
What a crappy intro.