I cleaned the engine.

[carl888]

After 21,000kms it was time to give the engine a once over, it was really dusty.  Some diluted detergent, a brush, a wash down with a hose then a wipe over all the metal parts with a rag and some WD40.  Took all of 20 minutes (It does help having a slightly warm engine).

[carl888]

Is it possible to rejuvenate the yellowed plastic on the washer bottle and brake fluid reservoir?

[rumb]

I saw a post somewhere that soaking for a week or two in some solution "whitened" them.  Not sure what was used, perhaps a diluted bleach solution?  Would be concerned that you could further damage the plastic if you used the incorrect solution though.

[Type17]

Mild bleaching can help, but as mentioned, too strong a mixture can cause brittleness.

Mechanical surface treatments (very fine wire wool, sandpaper) and subsequent polishing for shine can also help, as a lot of the discolouration is at the surface - but critically, not all of it is, so you won't get back to pure "like new" whiteness.

[Peter]

Really nice result Carl, looking fresh 

[Type17]

Really nice result Carl, looking fresh 

Yes, forgot to mention - gorgeous looking engine bay!  - mine is very original, but has a lot more patina than that...

[adamb]

That looks great and it's making me feel guilty. Please delete this post immediately 

[Peter]

As for the yellowing I think it was Utn Boy who mentioned in my Concourse post that soaking the reservoir for a few weeks in a bleach and water solution might bring them back. I didn't try this due to lack of time however I just might try it this year considering that a new reservoir is $300 +

[marku]

The plastic does yellow with age and heat. Was involved some time ago with a project to restore the old type of phone (pre-digital) that were originally white or cream. It wasn't successful and they ended up being painted. There is no chance of making the radiator expansion tank look good. Buy new they are not that expensive. The washer and the brake fluid tanks can be cleaned with brake fluid on the outside as most discolouration is from general contamination in the engine bay such as oil etc., used bleach on the inside. It does work I used it and brought the washer tank up to an acceptable colour. Although cleaned a lot out of the expansion tank it was still too yellow and so will replace with new although they are very white.

[carl888]

Thanks for all the replies and comments everyone.  I think at this stage I'll leave things be.  Oddly, when I replaced the master cylinder about a year back, I had a good go at cleaning the reservoir, but I think my efforts made it more yellowed!

[carl888]

That looks great and it's making me feel guilty. Please delete this post immediately 

No problem, here's another




But seriously, that's how I bought the car so the credit goes the previous owner.  It's the reason I don't drive it in the rain.

[oversize]

Green and going greener.... 

[Pieter Lötter]

That is so beautiful I want to cry
12 years standing, little more than a brush and detergent required

[carl888]

A few hours with some mild automotive detergent will have that looking fine, it's just dusty!

My friends parts car on the other hand....

[Type17]

"I've taxed worse..."