› ›

Restoring yellowing computer cases

HerculesHercules
edited December 2009 in Chit chat
I have a pile of old hardware, load of Amiga's and one C64, and were wondering how to remove the yellowing from the casings of my vintage computers.

I stumbled across this:

http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com

It a recepe to mix up your own whitening formula. The ingredients are widely available and the page gives details how to make it and how to apply it to your old computer cases.

57064396

The creator's named it Retr0Bright... Has anybody tried mixing some up and applying it to their old cases? I just about to get my ingredients and make some of my own :)
Post edited by Hercules on

Comments

  • dm_boozefreekdm_boozefreek
    edited December 2009
    Well if I ever go home that stuff could come in useful for my old SNES, PS1, and for my Miggy 600.
    Every night is curry night!
  • fogfog
    edited December 2009
    http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/138244-how-to-remove-yellowing-from-an-old-atari-case/

    probably the same thing.. BUT maybe it has an effect on the casing making it brittle etc.. this is the issue with some of the plastics, as they were given extra treatments.. and that changes the chemistry of the plastic itself.

    you only can do it so many times I guess.
  • HerculesHercules
    edited December 2009
    fog wrote: »
    http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/138244-how-to-remove-yellowing-from-an-old-atari-case/

    probably the same thing.. BUT maybe it has an effect on the casing making it brittle etc.. this is the issue with some of the plastics, as they were given extra treatments.. and that changes the chemistry of the plastic itself.

    you only can do it so many times I guess.

    ...Indeed, but it's tried and tested with plenty of discussion on how the chemistry works on the plastic if you read on that page... I gonna conduct some experiments on some old bits of abs plastic first... You can mix the stuff up and keep it in a storage jar for safe keeping, but oxy action must be applied just before you use it. Maybe we can compare results on how our old computer cases come out afterwards.
  • fogfog
    edited December 2009
    the other thing about the cases, well the c64 and atari 8 bit. they are slightly.hhm stippled?!?! as in not smooth.. maybe that also effects that.

    the only thing that has gone near my older machines is washing up liquid..
  • ZnorXmanZnorXman
    edited December 2009
    I am reminded of oh, so many Antiques Roadshow episodes where a bloke brings in a 150 year old gun or a rifle and is told the item has completely lost its value because of it having been restored.

    Just remember, it's the patina that counts :grin:
  • VampyreVampyre
    edited December 2009
    Dunno if this would work on a old case, but I remember my nan showing me donkeys years ago that if you rub brown sauce onto a copper coin the coin would come up like new. Dunno if I'd like my computers smelling like the arse end of a bacon sandwich though ;-)
    ZXSR - Speccy Mags Reviews
  • wilsonsammwilsonsamm
    edited December 2009
    I have used sandpaper for this before now. in the past.
  • Steve(spt)Steve(spt)
    edited December 2009
    It works fine on SAM coupe cases, but not on a Jupiter Ace. Should be fine on a Jupiter Ace 4000 case.
  • GrazGraz
    edited December 2009
    Will it brighten the c64 colours on-screen? All mine seem to be brown. :S
  • beanzbeanz
    edited December 2009
    Found that a while ago and was going to try it...lots of warnings about arms dropping off though if you get the stuff on you isn't there?
  • dm_boozefreekdm_boozefreek
    edited December 2009
    Vampyre wrote: »
    Dunno if this would work on a old case, but I remember my nan showing me donkeys years ago that if you rub brown sauce onto a copper coin the coin would come up like new. Dunno if I'd like my computers smelling like the arse end of a bacon sandwich though ;-)

    This trick works with vinegar, coca cola, and lemonade, but I wouldn't want to dip my casings in any of those either :D
    Every night is curry night!
  • fogfog
    edited December 2009
    dm_boozefreek wrote: »
    This trick works with vinegar, coca cola, and lemonade, but I wouldn't want to dip my casings in any of those either :D

    well coca cola / vinegar is well known.. vinegar for glass.. is used in glass cleaners errm cola.. well drop a tooth or some copper coins in , leave over night.. the coins are .. tooth vanishs (due to sugar) .. errm but i doubt either would have any REAL effect on the casings as they aren't errm harsh / ambrsive as proper cleaners / chemicals.
  • oboobo
    edited December 2009
    fog wrote: »
    cola.. well drop a tooth or some copper coins in , leave over night.. the coins are .. tooth vanishs (due to sugar)
    Bzzzzzt! :)
  • milemile
    edited December 2009
    have you tried cilit bang?
  • fogfog
    edited December 2009
    ok.. i deffo know it works for coins..

    as for cillit bang.. it's over rated ... tried it.. it's not all it's cracked up to be.. and it'd never touch a puter I was cleaning.

    and WTF is barry scott?!?!

    only thing I know is someone did a mix of that n the esure advert.
  • dm_boozefreekdm_boozefreek
    edited December 2009
    mile wrote: »
    have you tried cilit bang?

    It's called BAM! here in the US, and it was hawked by the late great "Billy Mays", who although annoying was way better than Barry Scott....who is a twat :D
    Every night is curry night!
Sign In or Register to comment.