restoration opinion

[danbeaver]

The original feet?  For replacements the 1" rubber or felt circles at Wally World work fine. Online you can get the square black rubber feet (Jameco, MCM Electronics).  The A2000's used cork (never looked for them), the others are all black rubber. The smaller stuff used clear-ish rubber (Lowes).  The A4000T used an adjustable stand -- only The Lord and the case maker (Enlight) have a clue. I use felt so it slides easier to get to.

Boxes vs wedges: I have some wedges, but just try to find stories of a moderately expanded A1200 (or minimally expanded A600) and they read like Frankenstein's Monster. Yes I like the C128D, but still have my 1983 C64..

[curtis]

Regarding Retrobrite.

I've heard you really need to clear coat after finishing the restoration.  Otherwise the discoloration can come back and with a vengeance.

[sir_bacharach]

Ive heard horror stories about this retrobrighting. Some telling me ill die if I try, some telling me it'll go blotchy and now this telling me it'll come back with a vengeance. With all this in mind I've bought a swcond hand case in good condition on ebay and a brand new keyboard. That should do the trick.

Will post any pictures I get of the old monstrosity vs the new gleaming case.  

[danbeaver]

The Retr0Brite process does not stop the ongoing UV reaction with the Bromine/Bromide and UV rays from sunlight exposure.  A clear coat of polyurethane will block some of the UV rays and slow the process.  Either way the discoloration does not get angry and attack you, so if you see it "come back and with a vengeance," please notify the police!

Blotchy?  If you let is sit in pools or don't clean away any dirt first; I'd spread it out into a thin, even coat with a synthetic paint brush (it will dissolve a "natural" one).   Oh, and if you die in the process, can you take pictures we can post for your memorial service?

[sir_bacharach]

To be honest, after cleaning the case today it's not so bad. They keyboard is a disgrace though. I will clean the keys up and try it on those. People recommend a dishwasher for keys of what I've seen. Then I'll cook up the retrobright and fling em in a bowl of it and mix them about. Does it definafely need sunlight to take as I live in the uk and it only ever rains.  My best bet would be a garage or the garden shed in a bowl covered in clingfilm to keep them from the elements. I don't mind leaving them over night or applying a second coat.
.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Does it definafely need sunlight to take as I live in the uk and it only ever rains..

I did mine in the winter (no sunlight), just set everything up in my shower and hung a large UV-B light that I have for my snake about a foot over the mess and left it over night, LOL.  

[danbeaver]

It will work (very slowly) without actual sunlight, better with a cloudy day, and best in direct sunlight. Heck, take it to a tanning bed!  They have those in the UK, don't they?  Or do you just eat Vitamin D instead of breakfast?

Yes, it works slowly with a snake, Er black light. Groovy, Man!

[sir_bacharach]

We dont use sun beds. We're all just miserable. Might do the keyboard when I can be bothered. Looks like an old c64 keyboard. Haha.

[danbeaver]

We dont use sun beds. We're all just miserable. Might do the keyboard when I can be bothered. Looks like an old c64 keyboard. Haha.

I see, that's why you have Hobbits in the UK, from the rickets (lack of Vitamin D)!

[sir_bacharach]

Heres some pics of the dirty girl. Electrician tape removed.

[danbeaver]

I guess in the UK you must use spray on tans. That way you ruin all of your clothes and when it wears off you look like you vitiligo.


Stole that line from YouTube.

[royalcrown]

Regarding Retrobrite.

I've heard you really need to clear coat after finishing the restoration.  Otherwise the discoloration can come back and with a vengeance.

I read Merlin's take on that clear coat with UV uptake, and that is even better than the idea I had of just clear coating it. Actually surprised that post "retr0brite" isn't a sticky like "retr0bright".

[royalcrown]

From my researching so far this is my reply to your specific concerns.

1. You won't die, some people are nervous around chemistry, just like people that are afraid to fly. You just have to use common sense. From what I read, it can be possible to overheat the solution and cause it to work much faster than intended. When it works much faster, and you don't take it out soon enough it can cause "blooming" (whitish discolored areas)

2. See "blooming" above. If you leave it in too long,  make it stronger than recommended, or use 700 UV lamps, put the lamps way to close thereby overheating the solution (this also depends on the surrounding temp of your enviornment).

3. It does come back, and I am sure that is indeed angry and wanting some vengeance indeed. Using a clearcoat stops this in 2 ways:

Discoloration can't come back because it can't get a ride from oxygen. Discoloration doesen't have a car and is always mooching rides off oxygen and UV to go to the comic book store and over to your house to get revenge. Clearcoating puts up one huge detour / road closed sign and Oxygen gets lost (no GPS). The UV inhibitor keeps UV from seeing "where discoloration be at", thereby preventing UV and discoloration from going in and "Jackin' yo Bromine bro'".

No vengeance and no jackin' means discoloration is stuck at home in mom's basement being bored.

Ive heard horror stories about this retrobrighting. Some telling me ill die if I try, some telling me it'll go blotchy and now this telling me it'll come back with a vengeance. With all this in mind I've bought a swcond hand case in good condition on ebay and a brand new keyboard. That should do the trick.

Will post any pictures I get of the old monstrosity vs the new gleaming case.  

[royalcrown]

You should have made that lazy ass snake hold it instead of hanging it up there. The snake could of at least offered to help...just sayin'

I did mine in the winter (no sunlight), just set everything up in my shower and hung a large UV-B light that I have for my snake about a foot over the mess and left it over night, LOL.  

[royalcrown]

We dont use sun beds. We're all just miserable. Might do the keyboard when I can be bothered. Looks like an old c64 keyboard. Haha.

We have a new commercial over here as of last night that says something about something and one of the lines is :whiter than an englishman." It then goes on to show a bunch of pasty white guys with sunburned forearms

That said, skin cancer = bad anyhow, better to be pasty.

[royalcrown]

I see, that's why you have Hobbits in the UK, from the rickets (lack of Vitamin D)!

They  keep limes in their filthy pocketsizz for just such an emergency.