How To Restore Faded Plastic (5 Easy Ways)

Not sure how to restore faded plastic? When exposed to sunlight, moisture, and heat, plastic can discolor, weather, and oxidize. Although plastic items often fade over time, they don’t have to stay that way.

Thankfully, there are many ways to restore dull plastic back to its original color, shine, and finish. In this post, I’ve gathered the best solutions on how to make faded plastic look new again. These techniques will not only restore faded plastic, but also help it last longer.

Without further ado, here’s how to fix faded plastic!

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How To Restore Faded Plastic

Our Top Picks

1. Plastic Spray Paint

Plastic spray paint is a great way to restore dull plastic surfaces. This type of paint is formulated specifically for plastic and can be applied without a primer! Plastic spray paint is easy to use, applies smoothly, and allows you to paint plastic surfaces in any color you desire.

For restoring faded plastic, I highly recommend Rust-Oleum’s Plastic Spray Paint. This product can be used on both indoor and outdoor plastics, dries quickly, and has a durable soft gloss finish! Here’s how to fix faded plastic using plastic spray paint:

How To Restore Faded Plastic With Plastic Spray Paint

  1. For best results, make sure plastic surfaces are clean and dry. If needed, wash the faded plastic with soapy water to remove any dirt and grime.
  2. Work outside and cover surfaces with newspaper. Before painting, wear a mask and gloves.
  3. Shake the plastic spray paint can vigorously for one minute after the mixing ball begins to rattle.
  4. Hold the can upright 10 to 16 inches from your plastic object. To paint, push the spray button. Spray in an even side to side motion, slightly overlapping each stroke. For best results, make sure to apply light coats.
  5. If needed, wait for an hour before applying a second coat. Allow the plastic paint to dry completely for at least 24 hours.

Best Overall: Rust-Oleum Plastic Spray Paint

Amazon

Features

  • This listing is for one 12 ounce spray can of Rust-Oleum’s Plastic Spray Paint in Black (see link for other color options).
  • This spray paint renews and restores faded plastic in one step. Apply it directly to plastic surfaces without a primer! The oil-based formula has superior adhesion and long-lasting durability.
  • This product is ideal for both indoor and outdoor plastics. It can be applied on PVC, resin, fiberglass, polypropylene, polystyrene, and vinyl plastics.
  • This plastic spray paint dries to touch in 20 minutes and covers up to 10 square feet per can! When dried, it has excellent color retention and a soft gloss finish.

*Price At Time Of Publish

2. Plastic Restorer

Plastic restorers are a simple and mess-free way to make faded plastic look new again. For restoring faded plastic back to its original color and finish, I highly recommend using Car Guys Plastic Restorer. This product is specifically formulated to fix dull plastic, vinyl, and rubber.

The plastic restorer renews, seals, and protects both indoor and outdoor plastics. It also shields away harmful UV rays that cause fading, browning and cracking. Here’s how to restore faded plastic using a plastic restorer:

How To Make Faded Plastic Look New With A Plastic Restorer

  1. For best results, make sure plastic surfaces are clean and dry. If needed, wash the faded plastic with soapy water to remove any dirt and grime. Before restoring, wear gloves to keep your hands clean.
  2. Apply a small amount of plastic restorer onto the included sponge. Rub the product evenly onto plastic surfaces. After 10 to 15 minutes, buff down any excess product.

Easiest To Use: Car Guys Plastic Restorer Kit

Amazon

Features

  • This listing is for one Car Guys Plastic Restorer Kit. It contains an 8 ounce bottle of plastic restorer and a foam applicator.
  • This product is specifically formulated to fix faded plastic, vinyl, and rubber. The plastic restorer brings surfaces back to their original color, shine, and finish. It is mess-free, easy to use, and dries quickly!
  • This product renews, seals, and protects any interior or exterior surface. It shields away harmful UV rays that cause fading, browning and cracking. Unlike some plastic restorers, this product repels water and lasts for several months!

*Price At Time Of Publish

3. Outdoor Color Restorer

Looking for tips on how to make faded plastic look new again? Outdoor color restorers are a great way to bring back the original colors of discolored or dull plastics. They can be applied in a single wipe and instantly revive oxidized, faded, and sun-damaged possessions!

For restoring faded plastic, I highly recommend using Rejuvenate’s Outdoor Color Restorer. The product instantly restores color and shine to indoor and outdoor surfaces and provides years of protection. The non-greasy, no-slip, and low odor formula is easy to use, water based, and fast drying.

How To Fix Faded Plastic With An Outdoor Color Restorer

  1. For best results, make sure plastic surfaces are clean and dry. If needed, wash the faded plastic with soapy water to remove any dirt and grime. Before restoring, wear gloves to keep your hands clean.
  2. Apply a small amount of outdoor color restorer onto a clean microfiber cloth. Using light pressure, apply the product in a single wipe with little to no overlap over the entire plastic surface. If needed, apply a second coat after 24 hours.

Best For Outdoors: Rejuvenate Outdoor Color Restorer

Amazon

Features

  • This listing is for a two pack of Rejuvenate Outdoor Color Restorer. Each bottle contains 16 fluid ounces of product.
  • This product works great on plastic, metal, vinyl, stone, and more! The color restorer instantly restores color and shine to indoor and outdoor surfaces and provides years of protection.
  • This product penetrates deep to restore faded and weathered outdoor surfaces to a brilliant shine. The non-greasy, no-slip, and low odor formula is easy to use, water based, and fast drying.

*Price At Time Of Publish

4. Plastic Cleaner & Polish

Need help fixing yellowing, cloudy clear plastic? A two-in-one plastic cleaner and polish is one of the easiest ways to make uncoated clear plastic look new again. It’s a great solution for restoring headlights, plexiglass, and more!

For restoring faded clear plastic, I highly recommend using Meguiar’s Plastic Cleaner & Polish. This product removes light defects and restores clarity to both rigid and flexible clear plastics. When dried, this easy-to-use gel provides long-lasting durable protection.

Tip

  • Avoid applying this product on coated plastics and painted surfaces.

Here’s how to fix faded plastic using a plastic cleaner and polish:

How To Restore Faded Plastic With A Plastic Cleaner & Polish

  1. For best results, make sure plastic surfaces are clean and dry. If needed, wash the faded plastic with soapy water to remove any dirt and grime. Before restoring, wear a mask and gloves.
  2. Shake the bottle well. Apply a small amount of plastic cleaner and polish onto a foam applicator pad. Using light to moderate pressure, rub the product thoroughly on the plastic surface. Before the product dries, wipe off the excess with a clean microfiber cloth.
  3. Repeat Step 2 until the faded clear plastic is fully restored.

Best For Clear Plastics: Meguiar’s Plastic Cleaner & Polish

Amazon

Features

  • This listing is for one 10 fluid ounce bottle of Meguiar’s Plastic Cleaner & Polish. This product is specifically formulated for uncoated clear plastic surfaces.
  • This plastic cleaner and polish has an easy-to-use rich gel formula that quickly removes light defects and restores clarity to both rigid and flexible clear plastics. When dried, it provides long-lasting durable protection for plastic surfaces.
  • This product removes light oxidation, chemical degradation, surface contamination, stains, and light surface scratches. It is easy to use and perfect for clear faded plastic cleaning and restoration.

*Price At Time Of Publish

5. Plastic Dye

Looking for more ideas on how to restore faded plastic? Similar to plastic spray paint, plastic dye can be applied onto dull plastic surfaces to add color. To dye, simply rub a small amount of colorant onto the plastic surface using a sponge.

For restoring faded plastic, try using ATG Perfect Color Plastic Dyer. This product is suitable for all types of plastics that are not sealed or varnished. When applied, the paint penetrates deep into the surface and bonds with the plastic. This dye is abrasion-resistant, water resistant, and lasts for years without the need for further treatment.

How To Make Faded Plastic Look New With Plastic Dye

  1. For best results, make sure plastic surfaces are clean and dry. If needed, wash the faded plastic with soapy water to remove any dirt and grime. Before restoring, wear gloves to keep your hands clean.
  2. Apply a small amount of plastic dye onto the provided sponge. In even, circular motions, rub a thin layer of colorant onto the plastic surface. The dye should be dry to the touch in about 30 to 60 minutes. Apply a second coat if needed.

Best For Car Parts: ATG Perfect Color Plastic Dyer

Amazon

Features

  • This listing is for one ATG Perfect Color Plastic Dyer. This kit comes with one round sponge and a 70 gram tube of black plastic dye.
  • This product is suited for all types of plastics (hard and soft) that are not sealed or varnished. When applied, the paint penetrates deep into the surface and bonds with the plastic.
  • A single tube of ATG Perfect Color Plastic Dyer can cover 16.15 square feet. This dye is abrasion-resistant, water resistant, and lasts for years without the need for further treatment.

*Price At Time Of Publish

How To Restore Faded Plastic: Top Picks

In this post, I’ve gathered the best solutions on how to make faded plastic look new again. Here are all the recommended products in one convenient list:

Our Top Picks

Conclusion

Looking for tips on how to restore faded plastic? Overtime, plastic items can discolor, weather, and oxidize. It’s not necessary to completely replace these items, as they can be fixed with some simple steps.

Using the right products, it’s super simple to restore dull plastic back to its original state. In this post, I’ve gathered the best solutions on how to make faded plastic look new again.

One of the best solutions for restoring faded plastic is to recolor it with a plastic spray paint. Plastic spray paint is formulated specifically for plastic, can be applied without a primer, and allows you to paint plastic surfaces in any color you want.

Another great method is to use a plastic restorer. This product easily restores faded plastic to its original color and finish. It renews, seals, and protects both indoor and outdoor plastics, and also shields them from harmful UV rays.

Lastly, for clear plastics, I highly recommend using a two-in-one plastic cleaner and polish. This is a great solution to remove light defects and restores clarity to both rigid and flexible clear plastics. Just make sure to avoid applying this product on coated plastics and painted surfaces!

I hope this post gave you some helpful tips on how to fix faded plastic. Good luck!