De-yellowing your VIC-20 case
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- Vic 20 Devotee
- Posts: 253
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:40 pm
De-yellowing your VIC-20 case
I found the following site and was intrigued. Perhaps someone on here may want to try it or already has....
http://www.classic-computers.org.nz/blo ... -cases.htm
http://www.classic-computers.org.nz/blo ... recipe.htm
Regards,
Jonathan
http://www.classic-computers.org.nz/blo ... -cases.htm
http://www.classic-computers.org.nz/blo ... recipe.htm
Regards,
Jonathan
wow
Btw for my Vic-20s I've used another product (For industrial use only) that without prepare any paste gives similar result with a little bit of elbow grease but not too much.
I do not remember the name of the product, it's a yellow liquid btw I will check the name and if possible take a photo.
Btw for my Vic-20s I've used another product (For industrial use only) that without prepare any paste gives similar result with a little bit of elbow grease but not too much.
I do not remember the name of the product, it's a yellow liquid btw I will check the name and if possible take a photo.
Mega-Cart: the cartridge you plug in once and for all.
- Pedro Lambrini
- Vic 20 Scientist
- Posts: 1132
- Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:36 am
An alternative to Retr0brite
I have heard reports that a strong sodium percarbonate solution will remove yellowing from plastic too.
I tried it for myself and it works very well.
In Australia, sodium percarbonate can be purchased in supermarkets as an 'oxy booster' for laundry use. Brand names include 'Nappi-San' and 'White King 5 in 1 oxy-lift booster'
These boosters appear to be different to the ones specified in the Retr0brite site as their boosters contain 'tetra acetyl ethylene diamine'.
According to Wikipedia, sodium percarbonate releases hydrogen peroxide when dissolved in water. Its quite likely that tetra acetyl ethylene diamine is also present in the products I tested, though in trace amounts, and were not specified on the label. This would make it "retr0brite in a can"
I used it by mixing half a bottle (500 grams) of Nappi-San into 5 litres of warm water in a large shallow tray. My orange coloured VIC-20 case was submerged in the solution and placed outside in the sun. I checked progress about every 30 minutes. After an hour of hot Aussie midday sun, the yellowing was half gone. But then the clouds rolled in.... Despite this, by the end of the day, the yellowing was 99% gone.
From what I can see, the performance is similar to Retr0brite, but the big advantage is that sodium percarbonate is so cheap and readily available.
One small hint, before submerging your item in the solution, clean it thoroughly and remove any grease or fingerprints with methylated spirits.
I tried it for myself and it works very well.
In Australia, sodium percarbonate can be purchased in supermarkets as an 'oxy booster' for laundry use. Brand names include 'Nappi-San' and 'White King 5 in 1 oxy-lift booster'
These boosters appear to be different to the ones specified in the Retr0brite site as their boosters contain 'tetra acetyl ethylene diamine'.
According to Wikipedia, sodium percarbonate releases hydrogen peroxide when dissolved in water. Its quite likely that tetra acetyl ethylene diamine is also present in the products I tested, though in trace amounts, and were not specified on the label. This would make it "retr0brite in a can"
I used it by mixing half a bottle (500 grams) of Nappi-San into 5 litres of warm water in a large shallow tray. My orange coloured VIC-20 case was submerged in the solution and placed outside in the sun. I checked progress about every 30 minutes. After an hour of hot Aussie midday sun, the yellowing was half gone. But then the clouds rolled in.... Despite this, by the end of the day, the yellowing was 99% gone.
From what I can see, the performance is similar to Retr0brite, but the big advantage is that sodium percarbonate is so cheap and readily available.
One small hint, before submerging your item in the solution, clean it thoroughly and remove any grease or fingerprints with methylated spirits.
- Pedro Lambrini
- Vic 20 Scientist
- Posts: 1132
- Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:36 am
I was very busy last month btw I've taken some photos of the product so as soon as I find time, I will post them someware and update this thread.Pedro Lambrini wrote:Hey, are at home yet nbla000?
Mega-Cart: the cartridge you plug in once and for all.
OK as promised this is the product that I use with excellent results and a bit of work
http://postimage.org/image/2uueiqf50/
http://postimage.org/image/2uueiqf50/
Mega-Cart: the cartridge you plug in once and for all.
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