Retr0bright
Encyclopedia
Retr0bright is a public domain
chemical mixture used to remove yellowing from ABS
plastic computer cases that were popular in the 1980s and 1990s, such as Commodore, Apple and Amiga computers. Yellowing is caused by both bromine and exposure to UV
light. Bromine is added to ABS plastic, acting as a fire retardant
.
Retr0bright is hydrogen peroxide
, a small amount of an ‘active oxygen' laundry booster TAED
as a catalyst and a UV lamp. Sunlight can be used instead of UV lamp.
The optimum mixture and conditions for reversing yellowing of plastics:
Xanthan Gum
or Arrow Root
can be added to mixture, creating an easier to apply gel.
When making and applying the mixture, one should take proper safety precautions and wear protective gloves and goggles. Hydrogen peroxide can cause serious chemical burns and blindness if splashed in the eyes.
Public domain
Works are in the public domain if the intellectual property rights have expired, if the intellectual property rights are forfeited, or if they are not covered by intellectual property rights at all...
chemical mixture used to remove yellowing from ABS
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is a common thermoplastic. Its melting point is approximately 105 °C ....
plastic computer cases that were popular in the 1980s and 1990s, such as Commodore, Apple and Amiga computers. Yellowing is caused by both bromine and exposure to UV
Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays, in the range 10 nm to 400 nm, and energies from 3 eV to 124 eV...
light. Bromine is added to ABS plastic, acting as a fire retardant
Flame retardant
Flame retardants are chemicals used in thermoplastics, thermosets, textiles and coatings that inhibit or resist the spread of fire. These can be separated into several different classes of chemicals:...
.
Retr0bright is hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is the simplest peroxide and an oxidizer. Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid, slightly more viscous than water. In dilute solution, it appears colorless. With its oxidizing properties, hydrogen peroxide is often used as a bleach or cleaning agent...
, a small amount of an ‘active oxygen' laundry booster TAED
Tetraacetylethylenediamine
Tetraacetylethylenediamine, commonly abbreviated TAED, is an organic compound with the formula 2NCH2CH2N2. Used as peroxide bleach activator for household detergents and for paper pulp. It is produced by acetylation of ethylenediamine....
as a catalyst and a UV lamp. Sunlight can be used instead of UV lamp.
The optimum mixture and conditions for reversing yellowing of plastics:
- Hydrogen peroxideHydrogen peroxideHydrogen peroxide is the simplest peroxide and an oxidizer. Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid, slightly more viscous than water. In dilute solution, it appears colorless. With its oxidizing properties, hydrogen peroxide is often used as a bleach or cleaning agent...
solution, the stronger the better. 12% works fine, 6% works also, just slower. - UV light, either from sunlight or a UV lamp.
- Approximately 1/4 teaspoonful (4.9 ml) per gallonGallonThe gallon is a measure of volume. Historically it has had many different definitions, but there are three definitions in current use: the imperial gallon which is used in the United Kingdom and semi-officially within Canada, the United States liquid gallon and the lesser used United States dry...
(3.8 LitreLitrepic|200px|right|thumb|One litre is equivalent to this cubeEach side is 10 cm1 litre water = 1 kilogram water The litre is a metric system unit of volume equal to 1 cubic decimetre , to 1,000 cubic centimetres , and to 1/1,000 cubic metre...
) (1/3072) of "OxyTetraacetylethylenediamineTetraacetylethylenediamine, commonly abbreviated TAED, is an organic compound with the formula 2NCH2CH2N2. Used as peroxide bleach activator for household detergents and for paper pulp. It is produced by acetylation of ethylenediamine....
" laundry booster.
Xanthan Gum
Xanthan gum
Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide, derived from the bacterial coat of Xanthomonas campestris, used as a food additive and rheology modifier, commonly used as a food thickening agent and a stabilizer...
or Arrow Root
Arrowroot
Arrowroot, or obedience plant , Bermuda arrowroot, araru, ararao, is a large perennial herb found in rainforest habitats...
can be added to mixture, creating an easier to apply gel.
When making and applying the mixture, one should take proper safety precautions and wear protective gloves and goggles. Hydrogen peroxide can cause serious chemical burns and blindness if splashed in the eyes.
External links
- Retr0Bright Restores Yellowed Vintage Plastic to Factory Fresh (Plastics in the News)
- Un-Yellow Old Plastics - Retr0brite! (MakeMake (magazine)Make is an American quarterly magazine published by O'Reilly Media which focuses on do it yourself and/or DIWO projects involving computers, electronics, robotics, metalworking, woodworking and other disciplines...
blog) - Open source computer polish: Retr0Brite (Boing BoingBoing BoingBoing Boing is a publishing entity, first established as a magazine, later becoming a group blog.-History:...
) - amibay.com - Retr0bright Support Thread