I saw a YouTube video where someone used the same process but used a tub with a UV light to restore a yellowed Nintendo64 which came up very nice. I was planning to try it on my washer bottles and brake/clutch reservoirs but you beat me to it. Nicely done.
For anyone who is more concerned with functionality than originality, below is what I did when my (cr@p!) fluid reservoir failed. The BMW reservoir I used is cheap, and outstanding quality - FAR better than ANY E-Type reservoir I’ve ever seen. And one reservoir serves both brakes and clutch, with each brake circuit having it’s own dedicated fluid reserve.
I found that it is still possible to obtain a good quality (non-leaking) fluid bottle new as of last year.
SNG Barratt has at least one replacement that doesn’t crack easily at the drain. This is part# C36606/1U. My original bottle developed a leak and I couldn’t repair it (no suitable plastic welding material.)
I first purchased the cheapest offering from SNG, but despite great care to avoid stressing it, it leaked almost immediately. After bringing it to SNG’s attention, they suggested the uprated part and gave me the cost of the failed cheap bottle as credit against the cost.
This one has not leaked, and has been put to a 500 mile road trip and other shorter drives as a test of durability. The better part includes a filter as the OEM part did, and has embossed lettering on all sides (the cheap bottle only has it on two sides.)
I don’t know why SNG bothers offering the cheap part. I suspect that many E-type owners never really drive their cars and just need a part there for completeness. Maybe this explains the many of the shoddy part offerings out there.
This isn’t recent though - the previous owner I bought my E-type from handed me three sparkling white fluid bottles and told me they were junk with some frustration. He put the original bottles back on. This was 12 or 13 years ago.
Yes, it’s great work. As far as I know, no one has ever achieved results like this. It might put a big dent in the shoddy reproduction fluid bottle business!
Those results are spectacular. If not too much trouble could you write up a step by step procedure including strength of reagents, soaking times, time in the sun etc? I have seen other attempts but somehow yours turn out much better.
2.) Mixed equal parts (1:1 ratio) of these 2 ingredients. The brand I do not feel is important, but these are the brands I used. Purchased at Sally Beauty Supply store, but you can purchase online as well. Probably goes without saying you should wear gloves and avoid getting this on anything you don’t want bleached.
3.) I used a medium paintbrush to put a thick coat of this all over the plastic, inside and out, put inside of a clear ziplock baggie and placed outside on a very bright sunny day, with temps in the high 80’s/low 90’s. I turned the bottle about every 2 hours to ensure that the bottle got good exposure to the light.
One side still had a yellow spot so I put it back out the next day for about another hour with direct light on that side.
4.) Rinsed well and let dry.
I have no indication that the plastic integrity has been detrimentally affected by this process, however I am sure that will be confirmed with time.
I do know that the OEM plastic bottles are far superior to the replacement bottles and hope this process works well for anyone else that is hoping to try it.
