Best Retrobrite Recipe

[hwood34]

So I just got this keyboard not to long ago, though it appears as though it hasn't been cleaned in it's 20+ years of use. With all the different combinations, what Retrobrite recipe have you seen the most success with?

[nubbinator]

I use straight hydrogen peroxide with the percentage contingent upon how long I want it to take/how yellow it is and what I have available.  From what I've seen, you won't run into blooming issues with straight H2O2, but can with the additives.  Some people don't feel it gets as white without the Oxy and whatnot, but I prefer a less white with no blooming to whiter with a chance of bloom.

[hwood34]

I use straight hydrogen peroxide with the percentage contingent upon how long I want it to take/how yellow it is and what I have available.  From what I've seen, you won't run into blooming issues with straight H2O2, but can with the additives.  Some people don't feel it gets as white without the Oxy and whatnot, but I prefer a less white with no blooming to whiter with a chance of bloom.

Yeah, from what people have said I might just go with h2o2 with a little oxy

[hwood34]

Would the 35% stuff work?

[nubbinator]

Are you talking the stuff you get at a beauty supply store?  I'd go with the highest you can get, like this 40 Developer.  You can either get a cream and brush it on or do the liquid.

[dustinhxc]

I did 40 volume peroxide from Sally's. Volume not %
5 hours of sun.

Good luck!

[hwood34]

http://www.sallybeauty.com/Clairol-Professional-pure-white-creme-developer-40-Volume/SBS-320828,default,pd.html#start=9
So this would work also?

[dustinhxc]

http://www.sallybeauty.com/Clairol-Professional-pure-white-creme-developer-40-Volume/SBS-320828,default,pd.html#start=9
So this would work also?

I did the clear version (liquid) but needed a lot to cover my case. Was like $2.50 a bottle though in store.
http://www.sallybeauty.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-SA-Site/default/mProduct-Show?pid=SLNCAR67&start=10&q=Peroxide%2040

[hwood34]

http://www.sallybeauty.com/Clairol-Professional-pure-white-creme-developer-40-Volume/SBS-320828,default,pd.html#start=9
So this would work also?

I did the clear version (liquid) but needed a lot to cover my case. Was like $2.50 a bottle though in store.
http://www.sallybeauty.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-SA-Site/default/mProduct-Show?pid=SLNCAR67&start=10&q=Peroxide%2040

Alright, I'll just go for the 32oz since it's only like $5 and if it isn't enough to cover the case I'll just flip it upside down with some spacers or something. Thanks!

[Melvang]

I was wondering on this as well.  I got some AEK II parts that need this done.

[terrpn]

i guess everybody has what works best for the..........

i just get oxy clean from walmart- 1 heaping scoop (included) to 1 gallon of water, 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide and at least 4 hours of good sunlight

keycaps can be a little more stubborn

i really have not not ran into any blooming yet, but i will watch better after reading nubbs comments

some people put a mirror under to get better uv

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i also asked maybe someone one can cover at next KEYCON

[engicoder]

I use straight hydrogen peroxide with the percentage contingent upon how long I want it to take/how yellow it is and what I have available.  From what I've seen, you won't run into blooming issues with straight H2O2, but can with the additives.  Some people don't feel it gets as white without the Oxy and whatnot, but I prefer a less white with no blooming to whiter with a chance of bloom.

Yeah, from what people have said I might just go with h2o2 with a little oxy

I mixed about 1 teaspoon oxy clean with about 1.5 gallons of H₂O₂ and still had some bloom.

[whiskytango]

i used this method more or less: http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/retrobright-madness-t667.html

I bought a small fluorescent blacklight at walmart and built a little retr0brighting cabinet out of a cardboard box which I lined with aluminum foil for reflecting.

I have experienced bloom, although it appears to be sometimes random and depends on the plastic. I have had some keys bloom while others in the same batch did not. I have found that WYSE thick DS caps, for instance, are more prone to bloom than thin ones. 

On a separate occasion I also experienced bloom when I used too much oxy. I have had a lot of good results too though. I suggest not leaving them in too long at a time without checking them.

My standard recipe was 1/4 teaspoon of oxy to 500ml of 40 vol developer from beauty supply store. Mix the oxy with just enough warm water to dissolve it fully. I think dissolving the oxy fully prior to adding it to the developer is key. Any undissolved granules of oxy I think can concentrate in one place and casue bloom. This is only my own theory. Not sure about the science part.