They have paint for plastics.It's made by Krylon and wal mart carries it.You could probably just clean them up real good and re-paint them with acrylics paint.You know the kind of paint tole painters and crafters use.Lots of colors to choose from,and very inexpensive.
Kathi

Yes -- indeed -- check out Krylon spray paint or can paints at Walmart -- just the thing for refurbishing plastic figures! You may have to clean them very well -- and perhaps even sand them very very lightly -- and then paint!

Jan

Thank you very much! I'll check out that paint! Sounds like a lot of taping but it will be worth it to see their colors glow at night again.

I have not gotten amazing results from Krylon's Fusion plastic paint. It honestly didn't stick or hold any better than any other spray paint that I have used.

I have had more luck with using acrylics or latex paints, brushing it on in several coats (it will take at least 2-3 depending on the colors to make sure the paint is covered really well and you didn't miss spots. If not, you'll really notice when the items are lighted!) and then sealing. It takes time but I remind myself the whole time that I'll be so much happier to see the item restored to it's orginal beauty or even better and keep going.

Good luck!

Remember, too, that if yours are the kind of figures I am thinking they are, the color is in the plastic. When you add coats of paint, they won't have the same 'glow' because the paint will not have the same level of translucency that the unpainted plastic does. That isn't to suggest you shouldn't paint them, just to suggest that they won't look the same painted as they do when the color is in the plastic itself.

In addition to all of the painting ideas, if you wash the item down with rubbing alcohol(and let it dry) prior to painting, the Fusion paint will do a better job!! Les is absolutely correct in saying that the light will be affected by the paint. Have you tried/thought about the plastics paint that they use on the plastic stained glass ornaments and such. It would be more translucent.

You might want to check into Krylon's spray paint for glass. I think it would still adhear and be translucent. It only comes in red, yellow and blue, but those are the primary colors so you may be able to overlay them and make your secondary colors. That may or may not work.
It doesn't mention plastic, but it says craft foam, so I'm thinking there's a possibility it will work on plastic too. It does say indoor/outdoor though.

Another throught would be to check out the craft paints for those that are meant for outdoors. By adding glaze to them or float you could have a brushable translucent paint. I would guess you could do without taping on most sections using the proper size brushes.

Good Luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Krylon Stained Glass Spray Paint

Rit fabric Dye sounds thebest to me. I read it on another site. It would absorb into the old plastic & still be translucent. I would recommend the very light sanding/cleaning first with the Mr. clean white sponge scrubber.

You could try using colored car/automotive wax to enhance the color. It serves two purposes: 1. It will remove oxidization. 2. It will enhance the color.

Application would be tedious as it has to be done carefully by hand but it may work. Just don't rub tooo hard.