RetrObrite

[pan1k]

TONE:

Did you use the oxy in there at least? If you didn't... the yellowing might come back!

[tone007]

No oxy, but then I've never used oxy in anything I bleached.. Maybe I just got lucky, none of it has yellowed again so far.

[TjLaZer]

This was NOT done using the RetroBrite formula (the whole gel idea seems like too much trouble to me,) but H2O2 is good stuff.

Before:


After:


What a difference 8 hours makes.

Looks good.  Though it looks as it might need a tad more?

Did you dismantle the 1200 and do the case/keys seperate?  Or on the unit as one piece?

[tone007]

All once piece.   It could possibly get a bit lighter, but I'm pretty happy with it for the moment.

[dougal]

Impressive !!! I might try that myself on my Amiga's .... No hasseling with all the chemicals ..

So you just used the peroxide and nothing else ?

[tone007]

Correct, a mixture (50/50 or so) of water and 40 weight liquid peroxide from the beauty supply shop, and 8-10 hours or so out on a sunny day.

[TjLaZer]

Correct, a mixture (50/50 or so) of water and 40 weight liquid peroxide from the beauty supply shop, and 8-10 hours or so out on a sunny day.

Where you at?

I've been at it since last week and still not done!  But I am in Seattle so that is why I'm so slow... LOL

Did some Atari ST keys and they turned out great!  Doing a set of A2000 keys, a 4000 drive face plate and a A1000 keyboard and space bar now, almost done.  I had a very yellow C=128 PS that is stubborn!  I see some improvement buy still a little yellow.  I'll keep at it.  

I have to constantly run more solution over the parts as they dry up.  Are you guys doing this?

[dougal]

Correct, a mixture (50/50 or so) of water and 40 weight liquid peroxide from the beauty supply shop, and 8-10 hours or so out on a sunny day.

Cool ... Ill try it out this weekend . I live in Malta where the average summer temperatures are over 32 degrees and its very sunny from like 7.30Am till 7.00Pm ... So 8 hours should be no problem

[WotTheFook]

If you use 40 volume peroxide in 30 degree heat, you will most likely end up with a white 'bloom' on the surface as that strength can attack the polymer as well as treat the flame retardant. In that heat, keep the strength of the peroxide down to 10% and you should be OK.

Check the Problems and Pitfalls section of the Retr0bright Wiki and you will see what I mean.

WotTheFook aka Merlin

[tone007]

Where you at?

Northern VA.

I have to constantly run more solution over the parts as they dry up.  Are you guys doing this?

That's what I mean about the gel thing being too much trouble.  Streaks, drying out, multiple applications... Submersion in liquid is the easier way, dunk the thing, leave it in the hot sun and forget about it for a few hours, and when you come back it'll most likely be looking good.  Here's another item I did recently.

Before:


After:


Again, it was done in 8 hours or so on a sunny day in something like 50/50 H2O2 (40vol) and water.

If you really want to have some fun, grab a magnifying glass and focus the sun on a small area. You can watch the plastic lighten.

[dougal]

Tone , That is amazing ... That 128D looks really nice too

I have got to try this out .. Prob the face plate of my A4000 will go first

[pan1k]

Here's my Atari keyboard (hey gotta use a test subject for I try it on my Amiga! MWAHAhA)

[ezcomputers]

So you guys think the plain h202 and water works as well or close enough without the need to make retrobrite itself?
I've wanted to try this for some time but I for one cou;dn't find the recommended mixtures (im sure its easy to find somewhere just not spent alot of time looking either) and two no UV light, although my basement has 3 rows of double bulb flourescent lights would these work?. I have an apple IIE Platinum I would LOVE to restore back to its original color.
Any info or tips would be appreciated...  I could dismantle the IIE and submerge it, but would be easier if I didn't have to do that.
Thanks in advance
-Pete

[tone007]

If you don't want to submerge it, you'll need to try the gel mixture.  I also have some Apple IIs I'm thinking about lightening, but I'm trying my best to avoid gel.

[pan1k]

I would probably use distilled water.. not just tap or purified drinking water as it still has minerals in it.

[ezcomputers]

Hey just wanted to post my progress... I have a IIE Platinum that had turned UGLY Brown... well on a longshot since I had nothing but 3% h202 and I looked at Clorox 2 for colors which has h202 in it and other whiteners... Well to my surprise I used some of my 3% h202 to dilute the clorox2.  Used 3/4 clorox 2 25% h202 3% and used a paintbrush to brush it on like a gel.  I put it in the sun and would check on it every hour to reapply the gel all over. Started the process at 1:30pm just brought it in at 4:30 and it WORKED Awesome!  I still need to go another round as one side I didn't have in the sun for long enough and I need a little more time to get it totally whitened to match the parts that are still original color, but its 90% better than it was!!!
I will post pics when its done and though I boneheaded and didnt take them from the very beginning, I have another IIE that is the same nasty yellow this one was... I'm so excited!! So there you have it, if you don't wanna mix a bunch of chemicals try out clorox 2 and some regular old h202 3% from the pharmacy.  The h202 3% contains purified water so i used that to dilute the clorox2 instead of tap water and used it mostly for the water.  Reading the clorox 2 label is has other whiteners in it I'm guessing oxidizers similar to oxyclean?
Anyways just wanted to post my success at trying this
I'd like to know if anyone else has tried using clorox 2 or if you do please let me know. I will post a compelte picture before and during and after when I do my other apple IIe
SOOOO Glad I found this forum