Possible causes of this complete yellow case? So that I can avoid it in the future..

[Jose]

I know this probably has been covered but can't botther to dig all those threads...  Shortly:
I had an A500 that after being put in it's original box got completely yellow within a short time!
My question is, since I don't want the same to happend with my  other Amigas, what could have been the cause? Lower oxygen due to plastic cover? Higher moisture? .. :-?

[bloodline]

Yellowing is cause by UV light (+ age). The A500 may have been exposed before it was placed in the box and now the colour is developing (sort of liek a photograph takes time to develop) :-)

[Jose]

Hi. Well if it's still developing I don't know how much more yello can it get, maybe brown.
I'll take more care with my A1200 and A4000   :-o

[TiPp-X]

Jose wrote:
Hi. Well if it's still developing I don't know how much more yello can it get, maybe brown.
I'll take more care with my A1200 and A4000   :-o

Hehhe nice think they sell brown AMIGAS in Japan... :lol:

Reg:TiPp-X

[BoingBoss]

Hi Jose,

Just keep your Amiga computers away from sunlight and florescent light and they should be fine.  Yes, florescent light WILL yellow an Amiga case.  I personally use 25W to 40W incandescent light in my computer room and I keep the curtains closed so no sunlight will shine on my precious Amiga and Atari ST computers.  Also, if you smoke, do not do it in your computer room.  When cleaning the dust off of your computer equipment only use a damp sponge to wipe it down.  Then put that sponge away and only use it for cleaning your Amiga equipment.  NEVER use your "Amiga sponge" for cleaning anything else, use it just for cleaning your Amiga equipment.  ONLY USE WATER ON THE SPONGE, NOTHING ELSE!  I have NEVER had a problem with any of my own computers turning yellow.

[Hyperspeed]

Well it's not just Amigas, a lot of other things turned yellow with
older plastics. Indoors and out.

It could be due to ultraviolet light or maybe carbon dioxide,
impurities or whatever.

Nowadays, modern plastic has a component called `LV' as usied in
Loreal LV anti-wrinkle cream.

:-D

LV stops plastic going yellow, possibly a UV reflector and I think
it's used in the Dreamcast as well as uPVC conservatories and gutters.

For some reason my A1200 hasn't gone yellow, but a PC tower I have
nearby for holding the drives has sort changed a different tone.

I wouldn't bleach anything because it might leave poisonous residues
behind and make the plastic brittle. And I don't think an acid bath is
good for Amigas either.

Best avoid kitchen cleaner though and clean with a warm flannel like
they give you in Indian restaurants!

:-D :-) :-D

[PMC]

Just had a thought...  

Once you've got the yellowed plastic cleaned up, might it not be possible to apply a coat of laquer to protect the plastic?

You can buy matt / satin finish laquer from most model shops, but I'd suggest going for a high quality brand that doesn't yellow upon application.  Airfix laquer is pretty shocking for this, to try something like Tamiya etc.

You could also laquer the individual keys, thus protecting the printed characters and hopefully preventing the kys from being worn shiny over time.

I've never done this, but I'd be interested to know if anyone's ever tried it.