RetroBright Plastic Restore on Arepachi

[emmadog]

Alright so I knew about this process for quite awhile and finally have a free weekend to devote to it. For those That don't know this is a process for de-yellowing old plastics. This is NOT a bleaching process. Anyway, the type of plastic used in our machines, computer cases, etc., is ABS plastic. It is cheap and practical. However it is flammable so to counter this manufacturers add bromine which is a yellowish brown liquid and is flame retardant. The problem is that over time this bromine is released from it's atomic bonds and yellows the plastic when it encounters UV light. ZeroBright is the name of the recipe/process that some guys came up with to reverse this process using ironically enough, UV light and some easy to get chemicals. Like I said I finally found the time and can say that it works very well!! Basically all you need is Hydrogen Peroxide and oxygen "booster" type laundry detergent additive. Such as Oxi Clean and the like. You then decide whether to make the gel or liquid version. If you have small parts such as keyboard keys then just mix the two ingredients and throw the items in. I made the gel since I had larger parts and the liquid version would simply dry off and necessitate constant reapplication. Once you've decided on the method then put the parts out in the sun or under a UV light.
The recipe I followed used "40 volume" in other words strong Hydrogen Peroxide available at beauty salons. The recipe also called for glycerin, xanthan gum (both available at health food stores and are found in tons of processed foods) and mixed it up in a processor. I followed the instructions and came up with a gel. Very easy to do. There is another way using commonly found 3% Peroxide, corn starch as the thickener, and a slightly higher amount of oxi clean to boost peroxide levels. If using corn starch then peroxide/starch mix must be heated for starch to thicken. This is only needed if making the gel, otherwise just combine peroxide and oxi clean. In all variations add the oxi clean last. See the links for the recipe and procedures.Retr0Bright - home
This link is for 3% peroxide.
RetroBright Gel Ingredients on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
First pic is of arepachi parts needing to be de-yellowed
Second pic is of gel

[emmadog]

Here are the parts after treatment and back in the machine. The other part missing in the pic is the lower part of the coin tray for a Satomi. That one is still out in the sun and all of these parts are going to go back out tomorrow for a few more hours. Also, I reapplied the gel every hour or s after first removing the old gel with a wet rag. The gel dries out over time thus the reapplication. FYI, I got some of the compound on the black part of these pieces and since this a reversal of the yellowing process itself and not bleaching, no harm was done to the black coloration.

[emmadog]

A side by side comparison. First is before, second is after The top edges of the top plastics still look a little yellow in the pics but that is from the frame's shadow.

[Lt Teddy]

Something new every day to be amazed at. An excellent job. Guess I should change your order back to white. Great Job.

[emmadog]

Well thanks Lt. There were some discussions about this process on here some time ago but as far as I know it hadn't been tried amongst us. It's very easy to do and hopefully some peeps here can put it to good use. As far as the "order" goes I'll just keep it to however yours is. Thanks again.

[slothappy144]

Nice job! I wonder if that would work on my microwave and stove.
It is a good thing we didn't make your skirt the 'off white'
I wonder how long the de-yellowing will last? I guess we will find out.
If it is UV light that yellows the plastic initially then we should avoid UV sources for our old white ABS plastic to keep it white.

[emmadog]

Unless a UV protectant is applied it will still yellow. The rate would depend upon how much exposure it gets. At any rate it would likely be a slower process (as in many years) than it first happened due to the notion that machines in a home setting are better protected. But you could always redo the process if it ever yellowed again.
Thanks for the covers for the pockets!!!

[slothappy144]

Your welcome!
Thank you for the eye opening information. I thought once plastic yellowed it was permanent.

[dattia]

You must be pleased with your effort, the results are fantastic!

[emmadog]

Thanks, D. There's lots of good before and after pics online of computers, nintendos, you name it.

[monkeyboy]

Awesome!!! I never knew this could be done.

I'm tempted to try it out on the R2D2 on my Star Wars.

I wonder if this would work on clear pinball plastics or if it only works on white plastic?

[compirate]

You sure the darkness on the R2D2 isn't tar? Kinda young to be UV trouble.

[new in town]

You sure the darkness on the R2D2 isn't tar? Kinda young to be UV trouble.

Purple Power ! ! !

[emmadog]

That's a very good question regarding clear plastics. Other people had the same question as well on a forum I was on. The answer from a plastics guy was not definitive but he doubted it would work. Reason being is that manufacturers used other chemicals to make clear plastic flame retardant since the yellow color of bromine shows up and prevents the plastic from being perfectly clear.

[compirate]

Is the clear necessarily ABS?

[monkeyboy]

I used Purple Power on the R2 unit but he's still yellow.

The Retrobright method is worth a try as long as it doesn't effect the painted parts.

[emmadog]

I don't think clear plastic is ABS. The retr0bright process affects the bromine itself and not the plastic as long as the recipes are followed. That is one of the things that make the process appealing but it also means it prolly won't affect any plastic that doesn't have bromine in it, I would think.
As far as painted parts I would use the gel method since you can make it as thick or as thin as you want. I would test an inconspicuous area first and then only apply on the areas to be treated which you can do with a thicker gel. Just an FYI the "40 volume hair developer" aka hydrogen peroxide at beauty supply stores is 15% hydrogen peroxide or about 5X the strength of the typical drugstore variety and is about 3 bucks a bottle.

[Cystic]

Those pieces look GREAT! I love RetroBright. A friend and I restored his Atari 800 with it last year and it turned out just like the day we unpacked it 25 years ago.(good G_d that long) We then played some M.U.L.E. to celebrate. I have a white rotary phone that I keep meaning to use it on(as well as a museums worth of old computers) but never seem to get to it.

ABS(Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is never clear. It starts an off white and can then be coloured but not made clear. RetroBright may work on a yellowed clear plastic just like it works on ABS. Please try it and let us know but try it on a small spot first.(I don't think it could hurt it but just to be sure)


Volume 40 developer is 12% hydrogen peroxide.(30 is 9%, 20 is 6%, 10 is 3% like the store antiseptic) Higher concentrations(up to 35%) are available over the counter. Higher than that you may need a permit as it is rocket fuel and very dangerous.(see the Me163 Komet and T-Stoff)

Another great use for hydrogen peroxide is cleaning the kitchen. I use keep a spray bottle of hydrogen peroxide(cut down sprayer to fit opaque bottle) and one of vinegar to clean and sanitize. A quick spray of one and then the other forms peroxyacetic acid. One of the best sanitizers around. Do not premix as it degrades rapidly.(in minutes) I use it on my wooden cutting board after every use, wipe it down and just spray and walk away. I cannot use bleach as it burns(it burns) my skin badly.

A note on hydrogen peroxide(and acetone) safety. Aside from all the warnings on the label, DO NOT store higher strength hydrogen peroxide near Acetone or anything containing it.(like nail polish remover) and NEVER mix the two. It has the potential to form a very volatile(explosive) compound. If you see an old metal can of Acetone with crystals or a powder around the cap DO NOT move or disturb it, evacuate and call the local authorities.



(Crips I keep channeling Mr.Wizard(RIP DH), sorry for the thread drift but - Teach what you know, Learn what you don't)

[emmadog]

Also, too high a concentration of peroxide and or too much oxi clean and the plastic may develop streaks or lighter colored areas. This is also called blooming and is irreversible. Just follow the original formulations and the results will be worth the effort by a long shot.

[slothappy144]

What compound is the crystals on old acetone bottles?
I use strong acetone to thin wood filler.
Are there any dangerous interactions between acetone and denatured alcohol or paint thinner ?