Restoring the colour of ABS plastic

[Steve (Australia)]

Seems like some people have been researching good ways to reverse the yellowing of ABS plastic with age.

This may be useful to somebody here too :-)

http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/

[Walter B]

Hmmh, I read this (the last picture made me suspicious) and checked the links a bit, and eventually that's looking like a hoax to me d:-)

Edited: 3 Mar 2009, 1:27 a.m.

[Steve (Australia)]

What, you don't think there's be anyone who's collect stuff as weird as Commodore 64 computers? :-)

There's a lot of discussion about this on the web, and it seems there's some history too. I wouldn't be so quick to declare it a hoax.

However I do wonder if it will result in any long term issues.

I have a friend who is a Commodore 64 collector (wait, do they exist?) and he plans on trying this technique on a particularly badly affected unit. If he does so, I'll get back with the results.

[Ronald P]

Hi,

I did put some yellowed casing in a mxture of +/- 25% Cloric and 75% water, that is chloor containing cleaner for the toilet and heated this to around 40 degrees. If you ensure the solution is stirred regularey you will also see it bleaches the yellow color away.
Be carefull were you do it, the vapour is 200% sure not healthy to breath.

[Earl Kubaskie]

Take care with your eyes, too. I had a case of conjunctivitis once, triggered by fumes from the use of bleach to clean tile.

Waking up in the middle of the night, unable to open your eyes, is NOT fun!

[Steve (Australia)]

I'd be careful with that, Chlorine is reported to make ABS plastic brittle.