Restoring a Dell AT101

[skinnycow]

I got a DELL AT101 recently that was in bad shape – the case was dirty and yellowing, the key action felt gritty and clogged up with gunk.
 
Here’s what I did to restore it:
1.   First I pulled off all the keys and cleaned them.
 
2.   Next I cleaned off the plastic parts of each Alps switch with a toothbrush and isopropal alcohol. This seemed to help the switch action quite a bit actually.
 
3.   After letting the switches dry out overnight, I put a small amount of Powdered Graphite Lubricant (available at auto stores) on each Alps key stem. I heard this was a safe lubricant to use on mechanical keyboards.
 
4.   For the yellowing case, I used some poor-man’s RetroBrite (Salon Care 40, available at Sally’s Beauty Supply). This is basically 40% hydrogen peroxide in gel form, easy to spread onto plastics – but wear gloves, this is nasty stuff. It takes 24-48 hours for the magic to happen.
 
5.   After a couple of days, I washed off the keyboard case with soap and water, let that dry, then re-assembled everything.
 
The Dell AT101 came out in the early 90s and includes black Alps CM switches.

[skinnycow]

more photos

[skinnycow]

more photos

[SpAmRaY]

This is very interesting, I might have to give it a try!! Thanks for sharing. And double thanks for pics of the process!!

[davkol]

Looks like the old one with pad-printed keycaps. Nice find.

[Techno Trousers]

I'm most interested in your use of the Salon Care 40 creme. Did you use any "oxy booster" mixed in with that, as in the original retr0brite recipe? And how did you clean the plastic when the brightening was done?

Nice work on the cleanup!

[thebeargentile]

Looks great!  How do you like the board so far?  I saved a few AT101Ws from the dumpster at my work, they have grown on me over the past few months

[nubbinator]

I'm most interested in your use of the Salon Care 40 creme. Did you use any "oxy booster" mixed in with that, as in the original retr0brite recipe? And how did you clean the plastic when the brightening was done?

Nice work on the cleanup!

A lot of stuff I've seen says to not even bother with the oxy since it's what causes the blooming.

[skinnycow]

I'm most interested in your use of the Salon Care 40 creme. Did you use any "oxy booster" mixed in with that, as in the original retr0brite recipe? And how did you clean the plastic when the brightening was done?

I didn't add anything to the Salon Care 40. It works great as-is, but you have to be patient for it to work, at least overnight. One thing I didn't mention though - I covered the plastic with plastic wrap after applying the salon care, to prevent it from evaporating. After two days, I washed the case off with regular dish soap and warm water.

I should also say, I got the idea to use this Salon Care from a video I saw on youtube - some guy reviving an old Apple II plus I think. I'm going to look for it and link the video to this thread, it was a good video.

[nubbinator]

I didn't add anything to the Salon Care 40. It works great as-is, but you have to be patient for it to work, at least overnight. One thing I didn't mention though - I covered the plastic with plastic wrap after applying the salon care, to prevent it from evaporating. After two days, I washed the case off with regular dish soap and warm water.

I should also say, I got the idea to use this Salon Care from a video I saw on youtube - some guy reviving an old Apple II plus I think. I'm going to look for it and link the video to this thread, it was a good video.

I saw the same one I think, but a blog post, not a video.  I actually used the 60% liquid peroxide for my Wyse set and left them in the sun in a clear container for a couple of hours.  something like 3 hours got it to about the right color.  The cream is probably easier, especially if you can get a higher percentage than 40%.  Were you leaving yours in the sun?  From what I've seen, in both other people's experiences and my own, it should only take a couple hours, a day max, if you leave it out in the sun.

And how's the graphite on your black Alps.  I used Krytox on mine since I've seen some of those dry lubes impart a slightly gritty feeling.

[invariance]

Thanks for sharing 

[Techno Trousers]

Thanks for the update! Nubbinator beat me to my follow-up question about whether you left them in the sun at all, but I guessed not based on the timing you listed.

I'll probably try putting it on as-is, then leave them in direct sunlight outside for 5 hours or so and see how it's getting on.

Off to place an order!

[fohat.digs]

And how's the graphite on your black Alps.  I used Krytox on mine since I've seen some of those dry lubes impart a slightly gritty feeling.

I would be very wary of any kind of powder. I have seen graphite lubes that go on wet and dry to leave behind a "hard" film.

I finally broke down and ordered some Krytox. I have timidly tried lubing Alps a couple of times, and the short-term results were good.

The long-term (ie years) might be a different story, and I would not want to ruin a nice board.

[nubbinator]

I would be very wary of any kind of powder. I have seen graphite lubes that go on wet and dry to leave behind a "hard" film.

I finally broke down and ordered some Krytox. I have timidly tried lubing Alps a couple of times, and the short-term results were good.

The long-term (ie years) might be a different story, and I would not want to ruin a nice board.

I figure that it's easy enough to clean the krytox off if it starts collecting dirt and such, so I'm not really worried about long term.