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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: lecorsair on Tue, 25 August 2009, 02:24:46

Title: Sun Aged Plastic
Post by: lecorsair on Tue, 25 August 2009, 02:24:46

Anyone know, or can recommend the best method by which to refurbish an originally white keyboard that has been yellowed through exposure to UV light. I've read a quite a few posts which state categorically NOT to bleach plastic. But I've also read a few accounts of people successfully removing the yellowness by using bleach. Anyone here have first hand experience?

If that bleaching doesn't work, I'm pondering RIT-dying the keyboard. Any recommendation for color selection - if the keyboard is white, with black lettering? Specifically, this would be for an older Apple keyboard. Thanks!

Title: Sun Aged Plastic
Post by: keyb_gr on Tue, 25 August 2009, 02:51:34

There are about half a dozen links on the topic of yellowing in the Keyboard Links wiki which I suggest you take a look at. Not bleaching refers to chlorine bleach in particular.

Title: Sun Aged Plastic
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 25 August 2009, 08:15:16

Toothpaste. See the mods section for more info. Basically, brush the case/keys with toothpaste; it's pretty straightforward. You will see magnificent results. Be sure to use whitening toothpaste but nothing special, though, you can do this with regular whitening stuff.

Title: Sun Aged Plastic
Post by: lowpoly on Tue, 25 August 2009, 09:14:55

No progress with my retrobright project so far. Still have no tanks/bowls/trays. What's the right word here?

Title: Sun Aged Plastic
Post by: o2dazone on Tue, 25 August 2009, 09:27:51

Quote from: itlnstln;111729

You will magnificent results.

I believe you just the entire internet.

Title: Sun Aged Plastic
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 25 August 2009, 10:21:43

Quote from: o2dazone;111745

I believe you just the entire internet.

Nice.  Edited.

Title: tan lines FTW!
Post by: clickclack on Tue, 25 August 2009, 14:50:07

WHATEVER poeple!

Tan lines are sexy!!!
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=4031&stc=1&d=1251229710)

Bwaahahahahahaaaaaaa!!! =P

Title: Sun Aged Plastic
Post by: timw4mail on Tue, 25 August 2009, 15:03:41

Quote from: clickclack;111812

WHATEVER poeple!

Tan lines are sexy!!!

Show Image

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=4031&stc=1&d=1251229710)

Bwaahahahahahaaaaaaa!!! =P

Lol, those keys do have tan lines...

Title: Sun Aged Plastic
Post by: lecorsair on Tue, 25 August 2009, 15:06:13

Quote from: clickclack;111812

WHATEVER poeple!

Tan lines are sexy!!!

Show Image

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=4031&stc=1&d=1251229710)

Bwaahahahahahaaaaaaa!!! =P

Ohhh...hawt!

Title: Sun Aged Plastic
Post by: huha on Tue, 25 August 2009, 21:02:23

Quote from: lowpoly;111740

No progress with my retrobright project so far. Still have no tanks/bowls/trays. What's the right word here?

I think it's guts.

For the record, you better not store the chemicals needed next to PCB cleaners. Unless, of course, you'd like to play Who Wants To Be A Terrorist.

-huha

Title: Sun Aged Plastic
Post by: lowpoly on Wed, 26 August 2009, 03:31:17

No, it's not guts. :-)

I meant these:

(http://www.zierfischzucht-mack.de/images/19.jpg)

Quote

For the record, you better not store the chemicals needed next to PCB cleaners.

This stuff is not funny. I have a chemist helping me.

Title: Sun Aged Plastic
Post by: ed_ on Thu, 27 August 2009, 00:36:49

Quote from: lowpoly;111740

No progress with my retrobright project so far. Still have no tanks/bowls/trays. What's the right word here?

I used a $2 disposable aluminum baking pan for (unsuccessfully) dying a Model M mini; it had a couple of inches of room on each side.  Don't know if there are any that will hold a full-sized keyboard, though.

Could try lining a cardboard box with some aluminum foil, using some resilient tape to seal the seams.

Title: Sun Aged Plastic
Post by: watduzhkstand4 on Thu, 27 August 2009, 00:40:57

those keys look yummy.