Retr0brite
From Classicamiga
(→Short summary of the science behind the process) |
(→Retr0brite Gel) |
||
| Line 21: | Line 21: | ||
==Retr0brite Gel== | ==Retr0brite Gel== | ||
| - | 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 | + | 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. |
| - | + | ===What you will need=== | |
| + | :* 1 pint (500ml) hydrogen peroxide, 12% strength | ||
| + | :* 1 to 2 tablespoonfuls of Xanthan Gum or Arrow Root (available from health food shops or online) | ||
| + | :* 1 teaspoonful of Glycerine (available from pharmacies) | ||
| + | |||
| + | This should be mixed together using a high speed blender or a liquidiser until a smooth, non-drip gel has formed. This can be put into a jar or tub and stored, as long as you DON’T add the “Oxy”. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Just before you paint the gel onto the parts, add ¼ teaspoonful of any “Oxy” type laundry booster and then put the parts under a UV lamp or out in the sun. | ||
| + | |||
| + | A day or so later, your parts should be as good as new, wash the gel off and that’s it! It may take another treatment for the worst yellowing to be reversed but in all cases it will eventually be successful. To permanently prevent the yellowing from returning, just coat the parts with a clear acrylic varnish. | ||
==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
Revision as of 22:44, 9 February 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
Coming Soon...
SAFETY WARNING!!!
“I would strongly warn people that hydrogen peroxide is very nasty stuff and usually you can’t buy stronger than 12% over the counter as it is used to bleach hair. If you want to try this, I would strongly suggest that you wear goggles and gloves to protect yourself.”
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
Retr0brite Gel
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.
What you will need
- 1 pint (500ml) hydrogen peroxide, 12% strength
- 1 to 2 tablespoonfuls of Xanthan Gum or Arrow Root (available from health food shops or online)
- 1 teaspoonful of Glycerine (available from pharmacies)
This should be mixed together using a high speed blender or a liquidiser until a smooth, non-drip gel has formed. This can be put into a jar or tub and stored, as long as you DON’T add the “Oxy”.
Just before you paint the gel onto the parts, add ¼ teaspoonful of any “Oxy” type laundry booster and then put the parts under a UV lamp or out in the sun.
A day or so later, your parts should be as good as new, wash the gel off and that’s it! It may take another treatment for the worst yellowing to be reversed but in all cases it will eventually be successful. To permanently prevent the yellowing from returning, just coat the parts with a clear acrylic varnish.
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.
