[BCoolidge]

Hi,

With time the seat belt buckle buttons become white for whatever reason. Might be UV or simply the plastic getting old.

Anyone here managed to restore the red color on those. Replacing them is obviously out of question.

Just tried liquid silicone lubricant but it does not seem to help much.

Thanks in advance.

 

[etyu]

Have you thought of paint?

 

[BCoolidge]

Have you thought of paint?

Permanent red marker is also a less destructive alternative. But I am pretty sure there are some good chemicals out there that can revert the ageing on this plastic.

Found this so far

on a bimmer forum

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=311641

and

I might also give a try to Polytrol a product originally used on boats and can be applied to 80's car bumpers that fade to light gray.

http://www.esthauto.com/polytrol-c-est-top-t1441.html

 

[Windrestrictor]

Cool stuff. I'm gonna check back. Sort of interested in what you might find out there.

 

[BCoolidge]

OK so I managed to sort out those red buttons turning white for cheap.
Here is what you need: paint polish renovator and silicon lubricant.

Here is an example on a 10 year old car. The sun of Provence has seriously damaged the color.

All you need to do is first clean the button with soap to remove any grease. Then you use the paint polish to slightly alter the surface of the button. The button will turn even whiter but do not panic...

Last bit is to spray the silicon and let it dry overnight. You will need to do it three of four time depending on how much red you want back. Here is the result after a couple of spraying and two months drying.

Et voilà...