how can I re-whiten a nicotine and age-stained 1960s plastic telephone?

Question

It's white, well it was, and it's in that solid 60s plastic material (like acrylic) Has been stained through years of smoking and aging.

Is there any way to get this back to it's original white? I presume it will have to be some sort of bleaching, as this is not surface dirt as far as I can tell.

Also, the pvc phone cable was white and now isn't. Any ideas for that one?

Answer 1

Have you tried some Jif cream (or Cif as they renamed it)? Usually works a treat, failing that try some foamy cleaner, preferably the stuff Electronics engineers use, or car interior foamy cleaner, both of these are formulated to lift nicotine/tar staining from tobacco smoke, either of them should work an ace! The ultimate I suppose would be to get a spray can of paint close to the original colour and give the phone a respray!

Answer 2

Ok, I would try spraying some Simple Green on and wiping it off after a few minutes. I use it to clean alot of stuff thats been stained by smoke or years of dirt.

Answer 3

Mix together
1/2 cup turpentine
2 tablespoons salt
Rub over the phone, take a damp cloth and wipe off completely when you are through

Answer 4

2 teaspoons of Bicarbonate of soda mixed with a drop of vinegar and a cup of water in a bowel, use a dramp cloth in the solution and wipe over the phone.

Answer 5

The cable can be renewed, though if the phone itself is bakelite and not plastic it wont "bleach".

Answer 6

i dont think bleach would work as it probably too old. there are specialist cleaners who would clean it for you, try searching on the web.

Answer 7

This will clean it>>
http://bicsuperstore.com/product/B000BPGPH6/Merchant/Spray-Nine-Multi-Purpose-Clean.htm

Answer 8

fairy liquid first then white spirit

Answer 9

try foam cleaner:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Free_UK_Delivery/Computer_Foam_Cleaner_45632_v2.htm