Restoring stadium seats with a torch - GIF

[Jon]

Restoring stadium seats with a torch.




Previously:

TEC torch plate penetrator - videos
Cutting 8-inch steel with a torch - GIF
Cutting torch cutaway - photo
Glassworker's torch - GIF
Cutting torch explosion - GIF
Cutting down a transmission tower with a torch - GIF
Explosive torch tip cleaner tool - patent
Heli-Torch - video

[Ralphxyz]

Anybody have any questions?

Ralph

[andrew mcgregor]

I could just watch it all day. What sort of plastic are the seats made from?

[rgsparber]

This reminds me of flame polishing.

[Jon]

I don't know if this is the entire process. It could just be the looks-good-in-a-GIF portion.

[hemmjo]

It is the whole process, except for the part where you learn that going too slow with the flame is a bad idea.

An electric heat gun works well also. It is just a lot slower, which gives you much more time to regulate the process. The flame works a lot quicker, but is much less forgiving than the heat gun.

[Jon]

If, like me, you're wondering: does this process also work if the seat is green? - then here's your answer:

[desbromilow]

the same process also works on blue and yellow (no video to prove it sorry) - I've used this method to restore old sports markers, and simlar PVC based seats.
As mentioned by the previous posters - the flame simply heats the surface and it seems to smooth and restore the colour by removing the old layer which is oxidised/burnt by the sun. I used a butane torch to do mine and it worked well, but I also kept the torch moving so I didn't melt or overheat any part of the plastic chair.