S&W Counter Display Case - Clear plastic has yellowed - How to restore??

THREEDFLYER

THREEDFLYER

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Ended up winning a local auction for this clear plastic S&W counter display case.....my guess is made in the 70's or 80's???

The case does not appear to have ever been used. The original keys were lost so the locks are replacements.

Problem is the clear plastic has yellowed and I am wondering if any of you might have a miracle solution to help restore this??

Yes, I have tried basic plexiglass cleaners and baking soda by itself and with Murphy's Oil Soap......so far no luck!

May be impossible to restore at this point.....

Thoughts/suggestions??







 
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Maybe polish it out like they do headlights. Probably pretty thin material, so you may have a tough decision, you could always replace it with new plexiglass
 
I's try a little Mothers polish and a old T shirt...somewhere like the back where it wouldn't be too noticeable.

I had an old Dodge pick up that had yellowed headlights. I used a mild buffing compound on a wet shop rag to clean them up. They came out perfect, but on a case like your's it may be too abrasive.
 
Some automotive clear coat polish is very fine and might work if you have some in the garage. Or maybe try some Flitz polish? You can get a tube for 5 or 6 bucks.
 
What was the actual plastic material used in its construction? There are some plastics which are UV resistant but most aren't. If that is the problem, replacement is the only solution and use UV resistant plastics when you do.
 
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BigBoy99 said:
What was the actual plastic material used in its construction? There are some plastics which are UV resistant but most aren't. If that is the problem, replacement is the only solution and use UV resistant plastics when you do.
Click to expand...

Not sure what this is, but I found a date on the instruction sheet of 1997 so not as old as I had thought.

My guess is that the yellow is through the plastic, not just on the surface.

Too bad, I was hoping to restore it and possible use it at the local gun show for display.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions......but unfortunately this plastic is yellowed all the way through, not just on the surface.

Too bad, but it's just not worth the time/effort nor is it collectible enough to be worth restoring or rebuilding with new plastic.....parts would get destroyed trying to disassemble it.

Keep your powder dry!
 
Looks like some plastic crystals found on old pocket watches. The crystals would emit a gas that would rust any steel in the watch. Most of it was brass and nickel, but screws and watches hands would actually dissolve to powder.

Nobody ever came up with a way to clear up the crystals. I think you have reached the only logical conclusion.
 
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