Hello all,

I've been lurking the forum for a while now but I've finally decided to make a post. I have to say seeing all those reviews of old sets was really nostalgic and it has inspired me to clean up some of my old LEGO sets. For the past 12 years or so, they've been placed on a top shelf inside a dark closet and I haven't done much with them until now.

All of my sets were acquired between 1989 and 1996. The biggest problem I'm facing is that many of the white bricks have discolored quite significantly. This is especially noticeable in three sets. The Imperial Trading Post, Caribbean, Clipper, and El Dorado Fortress have white pieces that have yellowed noticeably.

I've taken a few pics for your enjoyment.

Here are a few TENTE blocks and as you can see, they have yellowed significantly despite a complete lack of exposure to harsh sunlight:

Several bricks in the El Dorado fortress have discolored but what I find unusual is how random the pattern is. Some bricks look brand new while others look tan at this point:

Another odd one. Just look at the difference between the white bricks of the Ice Planet set and the small trading ship from 6277. Ever single white brick is yellowed at this point:

I'm also interested in ways to fix up the old cloth elements. Hear you can see how crumpled the Headsail has become:

With that said, I have some questions.

How do you guys store your bricks? I remember that as a kid, I used to put my Ice Planet sets underneath a cabinet with doors while I kept my Pirate sets on a shelf that received a lot of sunlight during the summer months. Despite having a lot of white elements, I've noticed that my Ice Planets sets still look quite new.

What has been your experience with using products like retr0bright to bleach discolored bricks?

How can you avoid yellowing of white bricks?

What methods should be used to clean the cloth sails and straighten them out?

Is there a website or some other source to help guide my attempts to restore these old sets to their former glory?

Any help would be appreciated.

Try here, and here for starters. Both threads just a few down in this very forum

Let us know how you get on!

Oh, I overlooked that thread in the second link. Thank you.

Still, I would like to hear some feedback on fixing up the sails.

Oh, I overlooked that thread in the second link. Thank you.

Still, I would like to hear some feedback on fixing up the sails.

Dont quote me but I think a warm iron (not hot) will do the trick, just make sure you start on a low heat them slowly bring it up hotter and hotter until they are flat.

Id wait for a conformation before melting your sails but as long as its not too hot it shouln't hurt. Im interested in how you go.

If you need to wash the sails it's best to do it in luke warm water with a minimal amount of soap powder, then let them air dry on a flat surface. I'd recommend not ironing them directly as that'll likely ruin them, if you put something like a teatowel over them and then iron that instead they'll get just as flat without taking quite so much heat.

I'm sure there is/was a thread on this in the Pirates forum, though I can't for the life of me find it at the moment.

Dont quote me but I think a warm iron (not hot) will do the trick, just make sure you start on a low heat them slowly bring it up hotter and hotter until they are flat.

...

Sorry, but I had to quote you!

Seriously this thread is the one AndyC mentioned, and has good advice on repairing your pirate ship sails.