Retr0brite
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==Retr0brite== | ==Retr0brite== | ||
| - | Retr0brite is the name given to a very special plastic case restoration process developed between many different people within the Retro community. It is a process that can reverse the yellowing of plastics and restore your classic/retro computer | + | Retr0brite is the name given to a very special plastic case restoration process developed between many different people within the Retro community. It is a process that can reverse the yellowing of plastics and restore your classic/retro computer systems to their former glory. |
==Short summary of the science behind the process== | ==Short summary of the science behind the process== | ||
Revision as of 01:20, 30 January 2009
Contents |
Retr0brite
Retr0brite is the name given to a very special plastic case restoration process developed between many different people within the Retro community. It is a process that can reverse the yellowing of plastics and restore your classic/retro computer systems to their former glory.
Short summary of the science behind the process
What you will need
- Hydrogen Peroxide (10-15% recommended)
- Vanish Oxy (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoonful per gallon)
- Exposure to sunlight or a UV light from a lamp. i.e. a UB bulb (Maplins product code L31AF)
- Tank/container to hold the liquid that is large enough to submerse the plastic casing
The process
Gel Retr0brite
A further development currently being perfected it to make a gel version of Retr0brite that can be painted directly onto components, to reduce the volume of liquid needed. Various thickeners have been tried including Xanthan Gum, Corn Flour and Arrowroot, all of which have proved successful. The treatment level appears to be around one tablespoon per pint of peroxide. The “Oxy” was only added just before painting onto the component. Tezza only used 6% Hydrogen Peroxide, which slowed down the process but it was still successful. The original mix was made in a food blender to disperse the thickener. All of the ingredients have been chosen as they are readily available to the average person.
Using a 6% Retr0brite gel on a Commodore Vic-20 case, the exposure time to restore the case was about two days.
Further reading
Credits
- A1k.org: Luzypher, AMike, Kristian95 - Original idea.
- OldSkool UK/EAB: Rkauer, Merlin, Zetr0 - Worked out actual composition of the plastic and identified the chemistry behind the process.
- EAB: Tobyyeb, Magno Boots - Discovered that "Oxy" laundry booster can be used instead of TAED.
- Merlin - Discovered through experiments that TAED and UV light were the missing ingredients in the original A1k.org and EAB peroxide experiments and optimized the chemical process conditions.
- Vintage Computer Forums: Lorne, Tezza - Further Experiments.
This has been a global effort to discover and perfect the Retr0brite process, and to bring it to the public domain. People from the UK, Germany, Brazil, USA and New Zealand were involved.
