Seeking advice for restoring faded red double shot keycap

[lot_lizard]

I have a rare IBM 3279 beamspring with a faded red double shot that is part of the secondary panel to control the legacy console itself.  It runs off a separate controller with a completely independent cable coming into the board.  I was just curious if anyone had suggestions for bringing the bright red back.  I would sacrifice texture for color if the results could be excellent.  Thoughts welcomed

[metalliqaz]

Maybe retrobrite?

[lot_lizard]

I should have mentioned...  I've tried all the conventional methods.  This is actually faded on the surface, and not a film.  Afraid the only real option is "cutting" into the surface with either chemical or abrasive, but there really hasn't been much information on any of those attempts that I can find.  All poor man's testing (water buoyancy and acetone) would suggest this is PBT plastic

[Pemdas]

I don't know if this would help in your case but I remembered seeing a post about someone sand blasting keys to get rid of the shine. Maybe you can use a similar method to remove the faded layer?

Here's a link to the image gallery

imgur.com/gallery/4eYLT

[lot_lizard]

Actually...  This is very clever, and something I hadn't even consider using on plastic.  I have a blaster cabinet, and a few mediums on hand to experiment with, along with some PBT keycaps from a Wheelwriter that I could practice on.  I would still welcome other thoughts, but this would be hard to beat I think.  Thanks again

[Pemdas]

Glad I could help

Also, here's the original deskthority thread

https://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/keycap-sand-blasting-t12946.html

Probably has a lot more info than the Imgur gallery.

[appleonama]

just drop it into some paint thinner 10/10

[lot_lizard]

The results...  I had the advantage of having a completely flat top, and decided to wet sand using 400, 600, 1000, 1500.  I originally anticipated that I would sandblast to just to texturize at the very end (and might still) but wanted it as flat as possible before I did.  The UV fade was deeper than expected, and I might just pass on the additional texture since the 1500 leaves an unpolished look and this cap is literally irreplaceable

[nubbinator]

Now hit it with a UV protecting sealant so you don't run into it fading again.

[rowdy]

The results...  I had the advantage of having a completely flat top, and decided to wet sand using 400, 600, 1000, 1500.  I originally anticipated that I would sandblast to just to texturize at the very end (and might still) but wanted it as flat as possible before I did.  The UV fade was deeper than expected, and I might just pass on the additional texture since the 1500 leaves an unpolished look and this cap is literally irreplaceable

That looks great, considering where you started!

[lot_lizard]

Appreciate that...  I was pleased.  I finally worked up the courage to completely tear this one down, clean, and add the xwhatsit controller and solenoid driver.  I took quite a few pictures along the way and will write something up in the coming week (or so)... After I wire up the lamps at the top of the board for capslock, numlock, and the "Lamp Test" switch.  The beamspring really is a fun animal. I have a couple, and this one has always been my favorite for layout and appearance.

Re: nubbinator...  Great idea on the UV sealant

[rowdy]

Making stuff together would be a great place for a restore log