Sindy Wardrobe help

[blossom1044]

I found in a charity shop (Oxfam goodwill) a 1980's Sindy plastic wardrobe.  It's structure is perfect, but it has severe yellowing on the outside.  It is like something has seeped into the plastic and made it yellow over time.  It's the colour of cigarrette staining, but it isn't washable like tobbaco stains usually are.  It might be from Sun damage!  It is not on the back or 1 side or on the inside.  Other than the staining it is in very good condition.
If required I'll upload pictures of it's current state!
I remember having one of these for my Barbie and Sindy clothes.  It eventually fell appart.  I want it for my niece.  I am making her clothes for her Barbie and want to put them in a wardrobe.

So my question is how do I repaint the plastic?

I've looked on ehow and it talks about how to, but what kind of paint should I use?

Has anyone any experience in removal of stains from plastic - I suppose I am thinking like people who OOAK dolls?

Could I glitter glue it all over and varnish?  Would this peel considering a 4 year old will be using it?

What varnish would be best?

How ever I do it, he finish has to last and stand up to a 4 year old!

Please help
T

[Tanath]

Not sure about paint, but how about just sort of wallpapering the wardrobe?

[chloelicorice]

I would think any acrylic based paint should work, but I don't know for sure. Maybe you could bleach it.

[Icekibby]

Acrylic generally won't stick well. You should consider a spray like Krylon. They make a line for outdoor furniture that is for plastic, and has lots of colours.

[bubblegum_phoenix]

The best and easiest way would def be to use a spray paint designed to plastic (ask at your local paint dealer and spot test first, sometimes the wrong paints can melt the plastic) another way to do it is go to a model shop and buy the paints used for the model cars etc. Ive used heaps of it (Im current converting Barbie pink to Pullip classic  ) and its pretty straightforward to apply, its just a tad pricey 
Acrylic paints do stick ok to toy plastics, but it does come off fairly easy, so better for display pieces, not for stuff you're giving your niece  it also doesnt seem to give the same full coverage

[Mega Crafter]

The eventual yellowing (or in some cases, turning brown!) in ABS plastics - which I'm going to guess that this wardrobe is made from - is caused by bromide and/or other chemicals, which were originally added to make the plastic flame-retardant, rising to the surface over time.

It's a common problem with some old game consoles and computers, and if you're careful, it's possible to make a substance that can reduce or remove the yellowing. It tends to be known as Retr0Bright, and you can read about it on this site. If the wardrobe is made of this type of plastic (and as I said before, I would guess that it is, as it's a common type of plastic in toys and consumer goods), then this may work.

It does involve a lot of hazardous chemicals to make this cleaner, though, and accordingly, I unfortunately don't know if the surface would be possible to clean up to be safe enough for a youngster to play with afterwards...

Anyway, I just thought I would mention it in case the provided link is useful to yourself, or to anyone else who this plastics issue might be affecting.

[blossom1044]

thank you very much.  all very helpful.

In the end I have decided to keep said wardrobe and collect Sindy's for nostalgia & repair to resell.

I've repaired and re rooted my first one which was a trial.

I am also making clothes too.

though that serves a 2nd purpose.  My boy goes to school with more girls in his class than boys.  Thus lots of girls with parties and dolls are the order of the day.  I buy a doll and make it an outfit.  Currently making a kaftan and leggings for a Liv doll.

My neice got a Zapp Jolina skating doll.  I made it a crochet blanket in bright bamboo cotton pink and a matching 50's style dress & nighty.  She loves it.  It has become her new favourite toy.  Upsy Daisy has been relegated to the drawer so I am told.  It is bigger than a Barbie and less likely to be eaten by her baby brother.