dirty grab handles

[Rod_5079699]

the grab handles on my swift van are getting discoloured any advice on what to use to restor them

 

[rob_jax]

Rodney,

I assume you have grey (or light) coloured plastic handles? And that they just discoloured from use?

1. The surface of the plastic can become chalky over a few years - and then dirt is able to lodge under the "skim"

2. You could try a solvent clean - white spirit and a cotton rag should work - wear a pair of those disposable gloves you see at filling stations - and don't breathe the solvent fumes.

3. If that doesn't shift it, you could try rubbing the handles with fine grade steel wool - this will strip the chalky layer. And then protect with a good car wax.

4. But if the handles are the usual UK standard design - it's probably easier to just buy four replacements from any caravan shop - simpler than the restoration - but if they are a custom design, then restoration may be the economic way.

Finally, prevention is better than cure - so wash your hands - Sorry, I couldn't resist 🙂

Robert

 

[DeliDave]

did mine with Tcut and then polish hth

 

[ValA.]

We've got the same problem - the handles have turned a sort of pale grey/purple colour and really stand out against the van which is still nice and white. I've tried all the recommended cleaners, including the steel wool, waxing, and although some have worked short-term, the handles quickly discolour again. I would really now like to replace them. Problem is, how to remove them. Ours is a 2001 Swift, and I can't see anything to allow access to screws, fixings, etc. Surely you don't have to get to them from inside the wall panels? Rob_jax, any ideas?

Usually I would just go along to the dealers, play the 'helpless' woman, and a service engineer comes along and tells you in great detail how your husband should do it! Problem is, mine doesn't have the time! (Fitted a Heki rooflight, myself, by asking..... and it's not leaking yet!!).

 

[rob_jax]

Val,

If you have the standard handles - then they will have what look like small squares (about 1/2 the size of a postage stamp) at the end of each handle - these flip open revealing a screw head underneath.

If you have a custom handle (that looks like it was moulded as part of the caravan panel - with no obvious seams at all) then repainting will be the only solution.

Robert

 

[Lutz]

It is more likely that the discolouration comes from exposure to sunlight, not dirt. Therefore, no amount of cleaning will result in a permanent solution. Even replacing the handles with ones of the same material will only be temporary. The only permanent solution would be to paint the handles with a protective film that won't let the sun's ultraviolet rays through. However, without knowing what material the handles are made of it's going to be difficult to recommend a paint that will actually stick to the plastic adequately. You'll probably need to apply an appropriate bonding agent first or else the paint will flake off after further exposure to the sun.

 

[ValA.]

THANKS!!!!

Those are the ones - with a little square. Never thought that would be the secret trapdoor! Now I can go and order some new ones, and make the van look pristine again for the summer season. As the others have lasted seven years, and only noticeably bad in the last year, I think we'll probably put up with them discolouring a bit over the next seven years.