How to Polish PVC

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PVC that's exposed to the elements can quickly lose its sparkle.

PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, can quickly become scuffed and dull if it's not regularly cleaned and polished. If you have PVC items that are usually outside and exposed to the elements like window frames, pipes or guttering, it's important to clean them regularly to avoid a build up of dirt and debris that can be very difficult to remove if left over time. It's possible to buy purpose-made PVC cleaners, but you can do just as good a job with general household products that you probably have knocking around your kitchen cupboard.

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Step 1

Rub the PVC surface with a sheet of fine sandpaper if there are stubborn marks or unsightly scuffs on its surface. If your PVC is particularly badly damaged or has ingrained deposits of dirt or mildew, you may need to take a wire brush to the affected areas.

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Step 2

Put a pair of protective gloves on and soak a cloth in a solvent-based cleaning product.

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Step 3

Wash the entire surface of your PVC item with the cloth and allow to dry for half an hour. If your cloth becomes very dirty while cleaning, replace it with a new one.

Step 4

Rinse the surface down with a hose and allow to dry.

Step 5

Apply a generous amount of car polish to a clean cloth and rub all over your PVC item and allow to dry naturally.

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Step 6

Wipe the surface with a clean, dry cloth once the PVC is dry to buff the surface to a shine and remove any residue.

Step 7

Repeat the process on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

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