Strollers, tips on freshening up the faded plastic

[CathMac]

I have no idea where else to post this.

I scored a Peg Perego triple stroller someone left out on the curb with a "FREE" sign on it.

I don't need it for myself but I thought I could consign it or sell it on Craigslist.

Overall it's in pretty good shape but the owners must have left it in the sun because some of the trim is pretty faded. Is there an inexpensive, easy and uncomplicated way to darken that up again? I have no intention of painting it since that might actually cheapen the overall look.

If it were vinyl I might try Armor All but even with vinyl it would probably only shine it up without necessarily restoring some of the original color.

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

~Cath

[redvlagrl]

I would try Amour All even on the plastic. It's probably quite porous now.

But really, I would probably FreeCycle or donate it to a shelter rather than trying to make money out of it as it was put on the kerb in that spirit. Others probably disagree with me on this though.

[texmati]

whatever you do, don't put it in the wash! my peg perego cover went in the machine looking just fine, but came out in shreds.

[CathMac]

Originally Posted by redvlagrl

I would try Amour All even on the plastic. It's probably quite porous now.

But really, I would probably FreeCycle or donate it to a shelter rather than trying to make money out of it as it was put on the kerb in that spirit. Others probably disagree with me on this though.

I appreciate the sentiment but I already have several hours into cleaning it.

I suspect if it had been in better shape they might have tried Craigslisting or Ebaying it themselves, since the least expensive one I've seen on Ebay is $500.00 and a new one runs from $900.00 to $1,200.00. It was late at night when I saw it and I picked it up taking a gamble on the condition it was in. In the cold light of day it was clear it was stored outside. There was dirt, and probably worse, that had collected in the folds of the curved shades on top, and the grooved areas on the padded seats.

At this point my service to mankind is saving it from the landfill. I was very tempted to put it right back out on the curb with the same "FREE" sign I found it with.

kel

[CathMac]

Originally Posted by texmati

whatever you do, don't put it in the wash! my peg perego cover went in the machine looking just fine, but came out in shreds.

The stroller itself is in pretty good overall condition now (maybe "fair" condition would be a more accurate description) but when I found it the cushions and shades were really grubby. I considered hosing them down but it was clear even that wouldn't shake loose the dirt, grime, and possibly mold. So even though the paper-like fabric --if you can call it fabric-- on the backs of the cushions were already deteriorating I had to put them in the wash. I'm surprised they held up as well as they did.

It took 4 loads, one for each seat and one for all of the shade/covers (what are those things called?).

So I almost have to recoup something for my time, water, and laundry detergent at this point.

BTW, how the heck do they get away with using "fabric" (I use the term loosely) this cheap on the "washable" (again, using this term loosely) part of a $1,200.00 item?

~Cath

[zebra15]

Originally Posted by CathMac

The stroller itself is in pretty good overall condition now (maybe "fair" condition would be a more accurate description) but when I found it the cushions and shades were really grubby. I considered hosing them down but it was clear even that wouldn't shake loose the dirt, grime, and possibly mold. So even though the paper-like fabric --if you can call it fabric-- on the backs of the cushions were already deteriorating I had to put them in the wash. I'm surprised they held up as well as they did.

It took 4 loads, one for each seat and one for all of the shade/covers (what are those things called?).

So I almost have to recoup something for my time, water, and laundry detergent at this point.

BTW, how the heck do they get away with using "fabric" (I use the term loosely) this cheap on the "washable" (again, using this term loosely) part of a $1,200.00 item?

~Cath

I dont understand that red section...
You picked up a 'free' item that is by your description quite old and used. Kudos for trying to save it from a landfill however trying to turn a profit in this case isn't something I agree with. I would much rather your time and effort from cleaning and restoration on the stroller go toward donating the finished item to a shelter or clinic

[sunsetdancer]

I don't think there is much that can be done for faded plastic b/c it's just that - faded. There is spray paint you can buy that is made for plastic but that may make it look worse. I think the best you can do is to wash the fabric and clean up the plastic parts. The fabric may be too old to make look really nice. The stroller has probably been used for years, multiple children, in the sun, rain and cold. Most fabrics and plastic would probably fade/break down under those conditions no matter how expensive it was to begin with.

[confustication]

I would be tempted to try some of that plastic-fusible spray paint if you want to make it look pretty.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by zebra15

I dont understand that red section...
You picked up a 'free' item that is by your description quite old and used. Kudos for trying to save it from a landfill however trying to turn a profit in this case isn't something I agree with. I would much rather your time and effort from cleaning and restoration on the stroller go toward donating the finished item to a shelter or clinic

Why not? I think you are just fine, cathmac. I pick up free/freecycle items sometimes, but I'm very careful not to pick up those that are for someone in 'need'. I'm very upfront about the fact that I"m not poor-- if the origional ownders wanted to donate, they should/could have donated it. Lots of charities will do pick up.

It sounds like they just wanted it off their porch, and didn't care who it went to.

Good score Cathmac! I would think it would be ok selling it even if you didn't have to do a thing to it!

[texmati]

Originally Posted by sunsetdancer

Most fabrics and plastic would probably fade/break down under those conditions no matter how expensive it was to begin with.

yeah... but I was shocked at how crappy the peg perego stuff was for a washable cover on my stroller. would have expected it to be much more sturdy.

[LaughingHyena]

There are chemicals for brightening up the plastic trim on cars which we've found work well. I;m not sure I would want to put them on something used by small children though.

It's worth getting some cheep spray furniture polish to lubricate the wheels and folding mechanism. I know when I get round to doing it our buggy feels so much betterr.

[Mulvah]

I would be tempted to try some of the suggestions in this post. The thing is, with it being a child's item, you obviously have to be a lot more careful.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by texmati

Why not? I think you are just fine, cathmac.... It sounds like they just wanted it off their porch, and didn't care who it went to.

Good score Cathmac! I would think it would be ok selling it even if you didn't have to do a thing to it!

I agree. I'm not sure why this is even an issue. How many people go dumpster diving only to resell the items at a garage sale or flea market? This is the same concept.

[CathMac]

Originally Posted by Mulvah

...

Originally Posted by texmati
Why not? I think you are just fine, cathmac.... It sounds like they just wanted it off their porch, and didn't care who it went to.

Good score Cathmac! I would think it would be ok selling it even if you didn't have to do a thing to it!

I agree. I'm not sure why this is even an issue. How many people go dumpster diving only to resell the items at a garage sale or flea market? This is the same concept.

Thanks Mulvah and texmati. I was starting to feel like the robber baron of curbside trash.

However, given the time, energy and effort I have into this I think if I had it to do over again I would leave it for someone with multiples --and poorer judgment than me-- to pick up. Assuming of course they saw it before the garbage truck came.

~Cath

[CathMac]

Originally Posted by LaughingHyena

There are chemicals for brightening up the plastic trim on cars which we've found work well. I;m not sure I would want to put them on something used by small children though.

It's worth getting some cheep spray furniture polish to lubricate the wheels and folding mechanism. I know when I get round to doing it our buggy feels so much betterr.

Originally Posted by Mulvah

I would be tempted to try some of the suggestions in this post. The thing is, with it being a child's item, you obviously have to be a lot more careful.

Good luck!

...

I agree the options are limited since the plastic is within arms reach of the babies that would be onboard.

~Cath

[provocativa]

i have a very used perego and the fabric went through the washer just fine, fyi. linseed oil is from, flax, right, so it shouldn't be toxic to the next users. you might be able to thin it with alcohol, or use only a drop or 2. also, i don't think silicone is toxic- don't they make cutting boards and muffin tins out of it? also, depending on how much it retails for, you might consider buying a new cover for it or looking for a used cover for sale somewhere on the internet. i plan on reselling my perego soon, and i'm going to take the cover to the cleaners. also, i'm a curb shopper. things aren't always on the curb in good spirit. often it's a wealthy person too lazy or self-important or, more generously, busy, to take it to a charity or post it on a recycling board.