Restoring Plastic Solar Cells like New

It doesn't take long for the Sun to damage any plastic and solar garden lights are no exception. This spring I decided instead of replacing the old solar yard lights and try restoring the plastic cells do to oxidation. This was not allowing the batteries to fully charge.

Check out my other project I just published http://www.instructables.com/id/Bucket-Solar-Light-Storage-Container-SUPER-EASY/ Found a way to use damaged solar light that their globes broke do to the Sun's UV rays but the cap that contained the solar cells are still good.

UPDATE: Check out another Solar Light I Made using Old Solar Garden Light  http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Solar-Lamp-with-the-help-of-Mother-Nature-CO/

Step 1: Item needed for restoring

I used RAIN X because it is a well known brand. I am sure other brands of Headlight restorer would work. Just follow the instructions and be surprise of the results.  Now  I get a fully charged battery. You can see the results in my photos.

Comments

[camping crazy]

Cool I always pick these out of garbage piles with cloudy cells and throw them back thinking they are no good next time ill try this

[tfellad]

Will try.

[tfellad]

Will try.

[doo da do]

For the plastic cleaning. Have not tried but seen on instructabales, hot soapy water, then old toothbrush with toothpaste. Doodado

[Treasure Tabby]

Oo nice. I should try that. i have a few that are a bit confused. One light is on all day and the other just is ca-poo-t.

I wonder if this would work on restoring my glasses? Just that I'm too afraid to try them on something that I need daily and make them worse.
What do you think?

[bpfh]

Toothpaste and elbow-grease works well too!

[CJSudduth]

my husband said the same thing this morning...

[spottedwalker]

Good point, toothpaste might take it off but how long will the elbow grease last without applying a sealant.

[bpfh]

Probably as long as it took to go cloudy in the first place ;-) The electronics are ok but the plastic is made by the lowest bidder.

You should be able to paint a dab of clear varnish on the top... The best would  be a clearcoat varnish, like what is used on polycarbonate motorcycle windshields (polycarb on it's own is very strong - but too soft and prone to scratching), but clearcoat is horribly expensive, so a quick dab of any old varnish should do after hitting it with toothpaste.

Oh, and if you have an electric drill with a polishing pad, you don't even need the elbow grease - wear goggles though - it splatters :)

[l8nite]

great idea, I have several curbmined solarlights I can use this on

[spottedwalker]

Thank you for your comment glad this helped you out. If you solar lights you might want to check out my other project. http://www.instructables.com/id/Bucket-Solar-Light-Storage-Container-SUPER-EASY/

[Chrislee]

OMG! I had no idea this was even an option. You just saved me $100.00. Bless you all over the place.

[spottedwalker]

Thank you for your comment glad this helped you out.