Windshield washer water reservoir removal and cleaning

[GM]

I wasn't able to find this topic in any category in the Tech Manual, so I put it here.

It's a minor issue, but the badly discolored windshield washer water reservoir has nagged at me every time I open the hood.
I can't find any procedure for removing the reservoir tube that disappears into the firewall, so I hesitate starting the removal process for cleaning.

I'm hoping to try cleaning the bag and tubing with sulfamic acid, and will report back after my experiment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqCN7VHMtfQ
I realize the water reservoir in the video is hard plastic vs the windshield washer bag soft plastic, but if it goes wrong, a new reservoir bag won't break me. If anyone has tried this, I'd be interested in your results.

Any guidance or relevant posts to removing the reservoir tubing is appreciated.

[Pawel66]

Maybe here:

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=27755.msg199632#msg199632

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=28761.msg207910#msg207910

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=16446.msg113911#msg113911

Other links inside the posts.

I have been through that - funny, it goes in and out etc. You may want to replace grommets - if you do not, you will have leaks from under the dashboard.

[GM]

Thanks, Pawel!

[RobSirg]

Hi Gary, I tried all types of products but I don't think there is any way to reverse the aged / yellowing to the plastic. It really hurt me to remove my original washer bottle and brake fluid reservoir but they simply stood out within a restored engine bay, so reluctantly
I eventually replaced them with new MB parts (but will not discard them). I managed to retain/restore my original firewall padding on my 1969 but not the others.
I assuming the ageing goes right through. I even rubbed it with steel wool but that doesn't help. Sorry I don't have a magic solution for you.

[WRe]

Hi,
I would try a H²O²-dilution (10%) with sun/UV-light.
...WRe

[Pawel66]

I will soon be working on yellow original brake fluid tank. i will start with a good wash in kitchen dishwashing liquid, then will share experience and results.

Sometimes it is good to check things like this on you tube.

[GM]

Yes, Pawel, there are lots of YouTube videos about various concoctions used to lighten yellowed plastic, including a whole Wikipedia entry on a Retr0bright "system"
The tricky piece is finding high-strength hydrogen peroxide (not found at drug stores, but at beauty supply stores)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU7vXMezW_I
https://tinyurl.com/y2ebhw2q
I may try this first, but from all the videos I've viewed, it looks like this method has shown various degrees of success.

[Pawel66]

True, it is always experimenting. My wife has just put my brake fluid reservoir to a solution of dishwasher tablets for a day or two. We will see what is next; toilet cleaner, H2O2, ultrasonic cleaner... I will share results (unless this sharing would make me ashamed... .

Yes, did some studying. it appears that a bromine oxide was added to plastic to make it less flammable. Over time bromine separates, which gives the brownish colour. You need to oxidise it again. With hydrogen peroxide, as you say. And as you say people buy it in cosmetics stores, it is used by hairdressers. I am going to try this too.