Samsonite Restoration

[latexeses]

I have come across a set of Samsonite luggage that has "greyed" or "dried out" if you will. I tried the Armor All and it works pretty well, to a point, but it doesn't look like it will do the job I am after. Short of a full soak, maybe...

I may give rubber restorer 79XS11F used on an isolated spot just to see what happens. But I'll wait for input first.

I haven't kept up with the car care industry and all of the latest "elixers" out there made for such things.

Looking for some input on what some of you have used or know of, that might put the "dark" back in the bags.

Thanks in advance.
Rodger

[xsroadrunner]

Vinylex

[latexeses]

Is Vinylex that much different than Armor All? Sort of reads like the same mode of cleaning. Never seen it before.

I looked through a search for cleaning luggage and other key words here and didn't get close to anything like a discussion on restoration.

[fredintoon]

I have come across a set of Samsonite luggage that has "greyed" or "dried out" if you will. I tried the Armor All and it works pretty well, to a point, but it doesn't look like it will do the job I am after. - - -

Hi Rodger,
Samsonite bags are hard plastic? If so, auto rubbing compound and a power buffer should work. It rips the faded layer off the surface.

[xsroadrunner]

Is Vinylex that much different than Armor All? Sort of reads like the same mode of cleaning. Never seen it before.

I looked through a search for cleaning luggage and other key words here and didn't get close to anything like a discussion on restoration.

I'm not sure abt the comparison to Armor All...they could be quite similar but my feeling is that its a better product.. I use Vinylex on all my plastic and vinyl surfaces and it has worked quite well...so I am happy with it.

[crazy steve]

If the plastic is sun-bleached, there isn't anything that will truely bring the color back except for Fred's suggestion, but that will destroy the texture on the bags. Best bet is paint; spray a light wet coat on. Rattle-can paint can work, but you'll get the best results by using a detail gun and mixing the paint thin with about a 60/40 mix of paint/reducer. But if you've already tried any sort of 'treatment' such as Armour-all, getting the paint to stick will be difficult. Try a professional pre-paint cleaner/prep before giving it a go...

[tom clisham]

rattle can(?)

all the home centers now carry rattle cans blended specifically for plastic.
might be worth a try.

[latexeses]

xsroadrunner,
I am a bit leary of using anything I can't get off it I wind up having to use some sort of treatment that needs to "stick" to the surface but I need to experiment anyway. Always work on the car!

fredintoon,
Not sure what they are exactly they sort of look like a thin version of the ABS of the fairings. The "oxidation?", I guess that is the best description, doesn't seem to be very deep. If I rub my thumb nail on the surface it seems to be just the thinest layer.

crazy steve,
I stopped short of hosing all of one bag when I was trying the Armor All. I have a "touch up" gun that is the right size for the job.
The finish is a pebbled finish that is fairly fine.

tom clisham,
I had forgot about that paint. Don't know how rugged it is though. I may give it a try on somehting else first.

[jwhughes3]

shoe hospital

try a local shoe hospital for tips - the material must be similar to some shoe materials and they can buff or restore about anything.

John

[xsroadrunner]

xsroadrunner,
I am a bit leary of using anything I can't get off it I wind up having to use some sort of treatment that needs to "stick" to the surface but I need to experiment anyway. Always work on the car!

Nothing to be leary of...if you have used Armor All then really this stuff is quite similar...

[natemoen]

Contact samsonite and see what they might suggest.

[latexeses]

jwhughes3,
Used to have a great cobbler in town but he went the way of the buggy whip salesman just a couple of years ago.

natemoen,
I sent Samsonite an email with the question about restoring the bags but have yet to hear from them.
I suspect that a question about 25-30 year old motorcycle bags is not high on their priority list. Especially since they are not making a replacement.

xsroadrunner
Took a trip out to the local Pep Boys and looked at a product from Mothers called Back to Black and another product from Bondo called Restore Black. It seemed to be a black gel. Claims to "Restores Black Color To Faded Vinyl, Rubber And Plastic Surfaces".

Anyone ever used any of these?

Thanks,

[natemoen]

I have used mothers back to black on a lot of old plastic, works well but don't know how it would work for you. Wiped pretty much all of the black plastic parts from my xs down with it (sometimes it take several coats) and it made them all a nice shiny black again.

[soccer4m]

short time

I used Back to Black and it looks good, but only for a short time and it builds up a greasy residue over usage. For a quick fix look its good but I found it expensive and fades after a couple of weeks. I used it on car bumpers that were faded...,,,it might last longer if surface is inside mostly, but the sun kills it quickly if outside............found that a thorough cleaning and protectant is about all that can be done on really faded stuff, other than painting. Maybe the product vinylex,,havent used it but a lot on the site swear by it............keep us informed,,,,,,,Mike in Sun Diego

[barrelguy]

jwhughes3,
Used to have a great cobbler in town but he went the way of the buggy whip salesman just a couple of years ago.

natemoen,
I sent Samsonite an email with the question about restoring the bags but have yet to hear from them.
I suspect that a question about 25-30 year old motorcycle bags is not high on their priority list. Especially since they are not making a replacement.

xsroadrunner
Took a trip out to the local Pep Boys and looked at a product from Mothers called Back to Black and another product from Bondo called Restore Black. It seemed to be a black gel. Claims to "Restores Black Color To Faded Vinyl, Rubber And Plastic Surfaces".

Anyone ever used any of these?

Thanks,

I used Back to Black on my fairing surfaces. It works great on textured finishes but I had a problem with a streaky film when I tried it on smooth surfaces (side covers, etc.) I contacted the company and they suggested Mother's Plastic Polish for the smooth stuff.