How do I get a white plastic bath looking like new?

Question

It is 4 years old and looks old and shabby. I have tried most things and can't afford to get rid of it.

Answer 1

Try Auto-Glym Caravan cleaner (I think it has a green label) - it's slightly caustic and also abrasive and requires a quick 'spray on - wipe off' action before it interferes with the chemical structure of the surface and starts to 'cut' in with the surface. I used it on a very discoloured white plastic motorhome roof and it brought it back to looking almost new.

Experiment on a small area first.

Answer 2

When you say it is plastic, I assume you mean it is some variant of fibreglass. The easy way to check is to take the panel off the bath and look at the underside of it, if it is relatively smooth it may be acrylic but if it is rough and the surface looks like it's made up of strands chances are it is fibreglass. The surface of these baths is made of a thixotropic resin nick-named by those in the trade "gel coat" and is very similar in nature to paint.
Go to machine mart and ask for a small tub of faccenda G3. This is a cutting agent and a polish in one. Dilute it with about 10% water and then brush it onto the bath. Use a drill turned onto the lowest speed setting with a polishing disc and buffer, then simply buff away at it. it will turn powdery after a while, this is the polish so keep at it until it comes up with a nice sheen. If there are any deep scratches you will need to use wet and dry sandpaper on it. Only ever use it wet and a little washing up liquid as this aids lubrication and stops the scratches generated from the sand paper becoming too deep, use a block. The process is 1200 grit to get the most out then use 1500 grit and finally 2000 grit papers to get the scratches from the 1200 out, apply more G3 to the area and re-buff.

Answer 3

Plastic Bath Panel

Answer 4

Do not use anything that is abrasive, so do not try Cream Cleaners that others have suggested - it will create small scratches on the surface, that in time will collect grime and you are back to square one. If your bath is grubby it is more than likely you have a build up of limescale and it is this limescale that gives your bath an old and shabby look. Try a good descaler. Spray this directly onto the plastic and leave for a few minutes, give it a jolly good rub with a non abrasive sponge. You may have to give it a couple of goes. It works wonders on your taps too!

Answer 5

Use the Magic Eraser!!! That thing works wonders. One rent house i rented had a bath tub that looked like it had never been cleaned. I used everything I could think of and nothing worked until I used the Magic Eraser and elbow grease. It looked like a new bathtub.

Answer 6

Fill the bath up with cold water and add a pack of Steradant. The stuff you use to clean false teeth. Leave over night and rinse.You'll be amazed.

Answer 7

Fill the bath with hot water and pour a good measure of biological washing powder in it (the stuff with the blue bits in). Leave overnight.

Answer 8

Buy a clorox magic eraser and try that. Those things are really good and there only a couple of bucks. Sold in the cleaning isle anywhere .

Answer 9

before you go to bed one night, put bleach on a cloth and rub all over dont be afraid to have the cloth really wet with bleach

make sure you have a window open and shut the bathroom door

give it a wash in the morning and hey presto new loo

Answer 10

a plastic bath? the bit u sit in is plastic? u cud try bleach or lemon juice or vinigar. depending on what type of stains they are u cud try brasso if u want. i know that gets out lots of random marks!!