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Whitening Yellowed Breyer Models
(Info Received From Breyer at BreyerFest 2009)
Over the course of time, the chemical stability in all types
of plastic will degenerate to some extent. In Breyer
models, the result is most easily seen in white or mostly
white models, as they have a yellow appearance. Models
that were originally solid white can be brightened up by the
following method:
1. Wash model gently, using warm water and a lemon-based
dish detergent, such as Sunlight.
2. Wearing rubber gloves, mix 1 cup of bleach with 4 gallons
of hot tap water in a large bucket, in a well ventilated
area. Avoid breathing fumes.
3. Completely submerge model.
4. Watch the model closely during the soaking, as less
yellowed models need less time. More yellowed models
will need more time. An hour is usually the longest
time needed.
5. Do not use this method for pintos, appys, etc., or models
with gold decorations, such as the Western Horse.
6. For spot bleaching, you may wish to submerge only part of
the model, or you may also mix a higher concentrate for a
scrub, using 2 cups of bleach to 4 gallons of water.
Scrub yellowed area gently with an old cloth or soft
toothbrush dipped into mixture. Wear rubber gloves.
This method works on most, but not all, Breyer models.
Models which have been exposed to cigarette or other smoke
may not brighten up. An alternate method is to place
model in bright, direct sunlight for up to a week.
Reports state that this method sometimes brightens models;
however, it also speeds up the degeneration of the plastic
agents in the Cellulose Acetate.
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