Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

Collapse
This is a sticky topic.
X
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

    I've been trying experiments with some 'household remedy' chemical yellowing removal, and after a few tries, I found a winner!!

    Before:



    After:



    More to come as I refine this process.
    Attached Files
    <--- Badcaps.net Founder

    Badcaps.net Services:

    Motherboard Repair Services

    ----------------------------------------------
    Badcaps.net Forum Members Folding Team
    http://folding.stanford.edu/
    Team : 49813
    Join in!!
    Team Stats

    #2
    Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

    That worked good.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

      Ive been on this trail too. Old vintage Mac keyboards and Model M/F PC boards
      What is your current process?
      Things I've fixed: anything from semis to crappy Chinese $2 radios, and now an IoT Dildo....

      "Dude, this is Wyoming, i hopped on and sent 'er. No fucking around." -- Me

      Excuse me while i do something dangerous


      You must have a sad, sad boring life if you hate on people harmlessly enjoying life with an animal costume.

      Sometimes you need to break shit to fix it.... Thats why my lawnmower doesn't have a deadman switch or engine brake anymore

      Follow the white rabbit.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retr0bright

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

          Knew all about retrobrite....the home remedies are the same thing for pennies. Oxy-based cleaners.
          <--- Badcaps.net Founder

          Badcaps.net Services:

          Motherboard Repair Services

          ----------------------------------------------
          Badcaps.net Forum Members Folding Team
          http://folding.stanford.edu/
          Team : 49813
          Join in!!
          Team Stats

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

            TSP (trisodium phosphate) and dawn or any household cleaner spray works ok. Always alcohol but it can be hard on the painted stuff.

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

              this is not nicotine build up.
              its yellowing from bromine based flame retardant.

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

                My bad I was just speaking from experience.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

                  I think I've found my happy place!! I tested it on the worst case I had, came out looking new!!

                  Before:







                  In progress, in my super duper bromine yellowing reversing soup...



                  some other whatnots added with this batch.


                  After:







                  I'll post up the ingredients soon. I don't have proportion measurements yet, as its still kind of experimental....but I have the ingredients narrowed down after a few weeks of experimenting...
                  Attached Files
                  <--- Badcaps.net Founder

                  Badcaps.net Services:

                  Motherboard Repair Services

                  ----------------------------------------------
                  Badcaps.net Forum Members Folding Team
                  http://folding.stanford.edu/
                  Team : 49813
                  Join in!!
                  Team Stats

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

                    Nice work I wonder if the ingredients will be available in the uk ?

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

                      Originally posted by diif View Post
                      Nice work I wonder if the ingredients will be available in the uk ?
                      It's all grocery store items, nothing crazy, illegal, or hard to find.
                      <--- Badcaps.net Founder

                      Badcaps.net Services:

                      Motherboard Repair Services

                      ----------------------------------------------
                      Badcaps.net Forum Members Folding Team
                      http://folding.stanford.edu/
                      Team : 49813
                      Join in!!
                      Team Stats

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

                        Originally posted by Topcat View Post
                        It's all grocery store items, nothing crazy, illegal, or hard to find.
                        Cool, I look forward to the recipe.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

                          Ok, time to let the cat out of the bag. Here's the key ingredients:

                          1) Oxy-based detergent
                          2) Hydrogen Peroxide
                          3) Water
                          4) Intense UV source (sunlight can't be beat)



                          I've tried quite a few oxy-based cleaners, this was the best one. This one (unlike most) doesn't foam up. If there's a layer of foam floating on the surface, it blocks the sunlight. Strong UV is the catalyst that makes the whole process work. The hydrogen peroxide is introduced to speed up the process. The process works without the peroxide, but it takes a long time and will require a few treatments if its really yellowed. The 'soup' loses its potency after about 5~6 hours, and 6 hours in direct sunlight with this combination will do the trick. This nasty yellow enlight case was restored after just one 6hr treatment. Other similar yellowed items took 3 to 4 treatments without the peroxide, so its definitely a key ingredient.

                          Unlike 'retr0brite', which is more of a paste, and has to be reapplied when it runs off or dries out in the sun, the 'soup' works far better....and costs almost nothing. You just have to keep things submerged, which is why the rocks are there. You just have to shift them around periodically so to not get shadowing. Around 5~6 hours, you will notice its not bubbling/fizzing anymore, that's when you know the magic is all gone, and its time to remove & rinse off.

                          Ok, so the process is pretty simple. Mix the detergent with warm water in a pan and then add the peroxide, then place your items in the mixture yellowed side up. Then place it in direct sunlight for 6 hours. You may need to place heavy objects on the items to keep them submerged. If you do, be sure to rotate the heavy objects every so often so to not get shadows. That's basically all.

                          I am still working on proportions, I don't have measurements per gallon of water ratios yet....its like my spaghetti sauce, I add until it 'feels right'...but use generous portions of the detergent & peroxide.

                          The final pics of the yucky enlight case after I cleaned up the rest of it:





                          Nice home for a VP6



                          Where did this come from?



                          That's all for now...
                          Attached Files
                          <--- Badcaps.net Founder

                          Badcaps.net Services:

                          Motherboard Repair Services

                          ----------------------------------------------
                          Badcaps.net Forum Members Folding Team
                          http://folding.stanford.edu/
                          Team : 49813
                          Join in!!
                          Team Stats

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

                            The case of the left....

                            Before:



                            After:





                            I love it when a plan comes together!
                            Attached Files
                            <--- Badcaps.net Founder

                            Badcaps.net Services:

                            Motherboard Repair Services

                            ----------------------------------------------
                            Badcaps.net Forum Members Folding Team
                            http://folding.stanford.edu/
                            Team : 49813
                            Join in!!
                            Team Stats

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

                              Seems like we need a paper mache volcano for this.

                              Comment


                                #16
                                Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

                                so it's Hydrogen-Peroxide and Baking Soda ?

                                Comment


                                  #17
                                  Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

                                  Originally posted by stj View Post
                                  so it's Hydrogen-Peroxide and Baking Soda ?
                                  its not sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), its sodium carbonate (aka soda ash)....which is the key in oxy-based cleaners.
                                  <--- Badcaps.net Founder

                                  Badcaps.net Services:

                                  Motherboard Repair Services

                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Badcaps.net Forum Members Folding Team
                                  http://folding.stanford.edu/
                                  Team : 49813
                                  Join in!!
                                  Team Stats

                                  Comment


                                    #18
                                    Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

                                    The need for UV is weird, as I thought it was the UV that caused the damage to begin with?
                                    How about using a blacklight? Or does it need to be of the germicidal type?

                                    What happens if you simply heat the solution instead of using UV light?

                                    Comment


                                      #19
                                      Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

                                      Originally posted by eccerr0r View Post
                                      The need for UV is weird, as I thought it was the UV that caused the damage to begin with?
                                      How about using a blacklight? Or does it need to be of the germicidal type?

                                      What happens if you simply heat the solution instead of using UV light?
                                      The UV is the catalyst, so I understand from the people that know more about chemistry than me. Without the UV, the above described formula is useless. Blacklight did nothing. I did try a 400W metal halide 'grow light', that worked, but was slow going. the UV has to be extremely intense, sunlight is best. Ironic that yes, UV caused the yellowing (bromine offgassing) in the first place....and UV with the 'soup' will undo the damage.
                                      <--- Badcaps.net Founder

                                      Badcaps.net Services:

                                      Motherboard Repair Services

                                      ----------------------------------------------
                                      Badcaps.net Forum Members Folding Team
                                      http://folding.stanford.edu/
                                      Team : 49813
                                      Join in!!
                                      Team Stats

                                      Comment


                                        #20
                                        Re: Removing "Yellowing" From Beige Case Plastics

                                        i wonder if a sunbed would work?
                                        that or - on a smaller scale, a germicidal tube from my eprom eraser.

                                        Comment

                                        Working...
                                        X