Has Anyone Tried Retr0Bright? Turn yellow ABS white again

[QuincyJones]

Apparently it's a magical chemical formula which (unless you get arrested for buying explosives) allows you to turn yellowed ABS white again. You mix together a paste, then put it onto the affected plastic, then leave it out in the sun / under a UV light for a bit and chemical magic happens allowing it to turn white again.

http://www.amibay.com/content.php?119-introduction
http://www.amibay.com/content.php?120-summary

It seems to be used with the retro computer fanatics, haven't heard about it used with keyboards.

[emdude]

This is well-known in the mechanical keyboard community.  The main issue many have with it is that the change is not permanent, the plastic will begin to yellow again in just a few years, necessitating re-application of retrobrite.

Here is one such thread: https://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/retrobrite-the-yellow-strikes-back-t6084.html

[klennkellon]

There's actually a simpler way to do it that doesn't involve a mixture. It's already quite thick and creamy so you just need to slather it all over the plastic and put it in the sun or any sort of UV light.

Just buy this salon creamer that is 40% hydrogen peroxide: http://www.amazon.com/Salon-Care-Clear-Developer-oz/dp/B004OKDW5W


Retr0bright works, but it's not permanent and the yellowing will come back faster than it turned yellow originally, but it can take a few years.

A more permanent solution is to give the plastic a paint job with a similar color paint.

[emdude]

I actually have not heard of this before!

Thanks for the link, I might pick this up!

[nubbinator]

Every time retr0bright gets talked about, I feel compelled to post this:  http://aktuelbevaring.natmus.dk/afrensning-af-plast-med-retrobright.html

Do not retr0bright anything you want to last or that you care about as it damages the structure of the plastic.

[emdude]

Yikes!  I did not know about this either.. 

Thanks for the link nubbinator, this is a damn shame, another reason ABS should be done away with for things like key caps..

EDIT: Re-examining the article, I noticed that they did not perform any tests on actual ABS, should one believe that it will have the same effect on that type of plastic as well?

[Mattr567]

Have used that creme to great sucess. Have done a AEKII and my SGI, which I did today actually! No longer own the AEKII btw.

[emdude]

Looks great!  Even knowing that the change would not be permanent, I was considering retrobrighting some key caps and a M0116 myself, but I'm not so sure now in light of its potential to damage the plastic.

[Mattr567]

I think its worth it. It makes such a huge difference in real life. Lasts pretty long if you take care of it.  A great analogy would be car paint. Your paint ain't gonna stay the same over time since the last time it was waxed lol.

[emdude]

I am familiar with the analogy and I did state that I knew the color restoration would not be permanent and would require re-application.  However, I am now reluctant to use retrobright because of the physical damage it may cause to the plastic's structure.  Granted, ABS also becomes more brittle as it yellows.

ABS is just a nightmare, if only keyboard manufacturers made keyboards with PVC cases and PBT key caps like IBM.

[Darkshado]

EDIT: Re-examining the article, I noticed that they did not perform any tests on actual ABS, should one believe that it will have the same effect on that type of plastic as well?

Going from Google Translate that certainly the impresssion I got from the article. Any Danes in the room?

[QuincyJones]

Every time retr0bright gets talked about, I feel compelled to post this:  http://aktuelbevaring.natmus.dk/afrensning-af-plast-med-retrobright.html

What is this Hurdy Gurdy