Removing discoloration / sun bleaching from silicone straps
Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 11:27 am
by watchpalooza
So I have this blue silicone strap that came with a recent lot of vintage watches. Its in good shape (no tears, warping and not brittle), but its pretty severely "sun-bleached". On silicone this brings a yellowing effect.
I have read (though never tried) that soaking in hydrogen peroxide solution for 24 hours is the best way to restore silicone and remove the effect of sun exposure. So, here goes:
Re: Removing discoloration / sun bleaching from silicone straps
Posted: Tue May 18, 2021 7:39 am
by watchpalooza
After 48 hours, some improvement (lightening) but not impressed. Th shorter side seems to have improved a lot, but not so much the buckle side or the keeper. Rinsing and starting again, this time with a mild bleach solution.
Re: Removing discoloration / sun bleaching from silicone straps
Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 12:14 pm
by BATMAN
There a few YouTube channels I watch where people restore things, sometimes old electronics/game consoles that have yellowed. This guy uses hydrogen peroxide and UV light. Maybe that would work? Might be a lot of trouble though just for a strap
Re: Removing discoloration / sun bleaching from silicone straps
Posted: Fri May 21, 2021 2:35 pm
by watchpalooza
Hadn‘t thought to add UV....may have to try that!
Re: Removing discoloration / sun bleaching from silicone straps
Posted: Fri May 21, 2021 3:02 pm
by Boourns
I'm just a humble cave man lawyer, but I would think it was the UV that caused the bleaching/discoloring?
