Etch71 Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Thought I'd pick your brain. Does anyone know of any products or concotions that can aid in the removal of yellowing from old 80's computers. Was told once that they used to use dodgy paint to spray some computers or a pigment or something can't remember exactly. I've tried Jiff, metho and some other products but not much success. Any ideas? :unsure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GameDude Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 As far as I know the yellow is UV damage, I had it on my white C-64 and Amiga that sat in the morning sun sometimes. I dont see how it can be reversed as its a plastic breakdown, I myself have tried various things in the past but nothing worked. If its smoker tar yellow then maybe try these things BiCard scrub with toothbrush Mild bleach scrub with toothbrush Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etch71 Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 Think it's damage from the sun, but will give your suggestions a go. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serviceit Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 "gumption" from the supermarkets is not bad, used it on several games, but if it is gone to far then it will only clean it up and it will not restore the "whiteness" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lien_Zed Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 i just recently got my tandy coco 3's out of storage. they were never in the sun nor do i smoke. and boxxed up in the packing and the keys have turned yellow. the white case is unaffected Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
narf_ Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 i know armorall will help prevent it works on old toys that get the exact problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AskJacob Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Yah UV boosts it, but even in the dark it happens, as the plasticizers come out of the plastic. Once it gets real bad, the plastic gets brittle and crumbly. Armourall (or however it is spelt) can work (it has all kinds of goop in it, including plasticisers), but IMHO it becomes an addiction for the plastic - if you stop using it the plastic accellerates it's journey to death, and it leaves a yucky greasy feeling to the plastic. What to do what to do? You see 2 of the same thing, treated the same but one looks pristine, the other looks like it has a 2 pack a day habit. Black magic perhaps? Look forward to seeing if there are any other home remedies out there! (how about a tooth-whitening system?) Cheers Jacob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feeras Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 (edited) if it is anything like the snes, then there is no hope from what I read. Apparently, nintendo, in order to meet fire standards mixed some form of chemical into the plastic. Over time, the chemical caused the plastic to go yellow. I'll see if I can dig up the article.... Not sure if this is the same as for the c64 and amiga link to article: http://www.houseofnintendo.com/50226711/why_the_snes_turns_yellow.php unfortunately, vintage whatever is blocked at work so i can't verify Edited February 5, 2009 by feeras link to article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Tales Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 spray paint them then :unsure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lien_Zed Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 heres the solution http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=138244&st=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxbury Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 heres the solution http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=138244&st=0 Wow very interesting, great link. I've got a few things to try for this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lien_Zed Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Wow very interesting, great link. I've got a few things to try for this. comes in handy sometimes being "stuck in the 1980's" and being members of vintage computer web sites ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etch71 Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share Posted February 6, 2009 heres the solution http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=138244&st=0 The optimum mixture and conditions for reversing yellowing of plastics seems to be the following:- A) Hydrogen peroxide solution, the strongest you can lay hands on; B) UV light, either as sunlight or a UV lamp; C) Approx 1/4 teaspoonful per gallon of "Oxy" laundry booster. Parts immersed in this mixture will have the yellowing reversed in six to eight hours on average. Severe yellowing may take longer but it will only be a matter of a day or two. The mixture once made will last about four days before all of the peroxide is spent. Very interesting link although the table in the picture appears to have been bleached as well. Wonder if this is trick photography? Sound interesting though nothing really to lose. Let you know how it turns out got a couple of IIe's that could use some bleaching. Thanks for the info :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny_galaga Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 hmmm, you can see though that it will only get worse over time, which someone mentions in that link. could be good to sell stuff (in much the same way its good to add heavy duty oil additives into a clapped out car just before you sell it ;)) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AskJacob Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 cool! seems very similar to the tooth whitening process :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phreak97 Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 i think it's ok to do it, a yellow unit isnt really worth having imo. i reckon this should clean it up for a few years.. only problem for snes consoles though is that they started out grey.. i reckon this will turn them white. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny_galaga Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 the idea wreaks havoc with the idea of entropy though (not to mean to sound too technical). this is why some people mentioned the surface feels rougher afterwards. that makes sense. do it again, and it will probably get rougher again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cejay Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Another link http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMaloo Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 If its smoker tar yellow then maybe try these things BiCarb scrub with toothbrush Mild bleach scrub with toothbrush Just don't use the toothbrush on your teeth after you try it ..... :badgrin To be safe make sure you use your mates toothbrush instead ..... :badgrin:badgrin:badgrin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny_galaga Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 (edited) that link is not about 'bleaching'. its actually reversing the chemical process that caused the plastic to go yellow. i still suspect that it will end up getting a very fine 'matt' finish which will be more prone to staining. worth experimenting with though. i dont have any things that have yellowed due to fire retardants though... Edited March 4, 2009 by danny_galaga spelin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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