I have an overflow coolant bottle that has yellowed over the years. Nobody makes a reproduction and the last NOS one on eBay went for over $100 dollars!

Any ideas on what product I could use to clean it up?

If the plastic has actually yellowed, it is due to UV over time and nothing will restore it to new color. However, often a big part of it is from water contaminants built up over time and that can be addressed to a degree.

Aside from a thorough cleaning, I have had good results with a product called Iron-Out. It attacks iron stains like nothing else I've ever seen. It's great stuff. It is also used by folks on well water to get clothes really white and as a chemical in water treatment systems amoung other uses.

The only other partial solution I know of is bleach. Be aware though, too much bleach will actually shorten the life-span of the plastic. Be prudent.

Let us know how it turns out.

Take care.

Thanks Bowtie. I'm going to try the Iron-Out first and hope that works out. I thought of the bleach, but was not sure what it would actually do to the plastic. Thanks for the caution on that.

I'll update as soon as I get some results. Now to hunt down the Iron-Out...

Jay,

Not hard to find. Wal-Mart, Lowe's, etc. Mix a hard solution and let it soak in it for even a full day or two.

Sometimes I remind myself that the life expentency on most of our crucks was only expected to be less than 10 years. The quality of the rubber and plastic reflects it.

As a piece of trivia, the average licensed life expentancy of a Vette is still less than 8 years. While the average life of some other marks is 30+ years.

Take care.

Thanks Greg. I'll pick some up tomorrow.

Sometimes I remind myself that the life expentency on most of our crucks was only expected to be less than 10 years. The quality of the rubber and plastic reflects it.

How true, how true. Unreal how brittle and faded some of the plastic and rubber get. Can't tell you how many times I've just barely touched a piece of rubber and it would just crumble in my fingers. :mad:

I've had to learn to be very carefull around certain parts of the Elky.

Thanks again.

In my opinion, it is absurd to set life spans for any vehicle as there are too many variables but, one thing is for sure; how the owner ( especially the first one !) takes care of it is the #1 determining factor on how long it will last and/or it will look like after 10 or 20 yrs. Having a garage helps a ton also. One thing about older Chevys is the use of too many plastic clips that hold trim pieces that are famous rust starting areas wich is why a good repaint helps a bunch. That gives you a chance to remove everything that is clipped, screwed and or glued and deep prime every nook and cranny 8-)