Black plastic on Lewmar winch getting chalky

Apr 5, 2009
3,299
Catalina '88 C30 tr/bs Oak Harbor, WA
My 1988 C30 has a pair of ST40's and the black plastic on cap of the winch is getting chalky. Is there anything that can be done to make them look better and protect them. They have had covers for about 1/2 their life but 29 years is a long time.
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Not sure if they can be brought back, but Lewmar does sell them as replacement parts. As a kit or parts.
 
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May 7, 2012
1,615
Hunter e33 Maple Bay, BC
My 1988 C30 has a pair of ST40's and the black plastic on cap of the winch is getting chalky. Is there anything that can be done to make them look better and protect them. They have had covers for about 1/2 their life but 29 years is a long time.
A good auto black plastic restorer such as Meguiars would help out for a while; but, at $6 plus a little bit, replacing may be your best bet.

https://www.fisheriessupply.com/lewmar-2854st-gy-top-cap-and-oring-kit-48000492
 

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
5,072
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
You might want to try Marvel Mystery Oil. It claims that it can restore fiberglass luster so maybe it would work on the Lewmar parts.
If not you can add it to your motor oil until it's gone. Can't hurt.
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,335
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
What, if anything, have you done to treat them? Mine are that old and still looking good and have been covered & uncovered for about that time, too.
 
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Apr 5, 2009
3,299
Catalina '88 C30 tr/bs Oak Harbor, WA
What, if anything, have you done to teat them? Mine are that old and still looking good and have been covered & uncovered for about that time, too.
I have just been cleaning them with boat soap along with the rest of the boat. I am hesitant to just start trying stuff on plastics because I have been burned. about 15 years ago I used Simple Green based on how good it cleaned the boat across the dock from mine. By the end of summer all of my opening and closing port lenses were completely crazed with tiny cracks. After more research I found out that Simple Green is toxic to acrylic.