Mass producing Retr0Bright.

Background-

http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/


I was wondering if any of you rich folk would be able to have this stuff mass-produced so that enthusiasts and sellers of old retro things would be able to buy it. I'd definitely use it for my old NES and SNES.

 

I've always secretly hoped for this but was concerned if that would be classified as hazardous material during shipping.

 

I have a friend interested in making PURE retr0brite- the issue is, one of the ingredients (found in the oxy booster), if bought locally or over the counter leaves behind a white residue that damages the case.
So, he looking into buying the certain component that actually is used and doesn't leave residue- but you have to buy it in massive amounts.

It is possible but someone would have to get a kickstarter thing going to raise initial money to get off the ground.

Which, to me sounds interesting and if I wasn't going into a difficult faculty for University I would probably try it out. If I switch to arts second year, I'll do this (assuming nobody else does)

 

However, someone can retail a solution under 10%- it doesn't need to be that high, using 3% peroxide works, just not as fast.



The more I think of this the more I want to run trials and actually produce it.

 

Actually I've heard it's better to use 40 volume clear developer and just submerge whatever you want whitened into it. The main beef I have with Retr0bright is that it's non-uniform and it can create splotches if it's not spread well enough.

 

that's simply an end user mistake...

I guess two formulas would be made- one to be added to water as a powder, and the other as a gel, the gel is only useful to those who have labels and graphics on their cases, in which case submerging them would cause fading of labels and graphics.

 

The science is in the link, if you actually want to know what it does.

 

It does work, I have first hand experience. Brightened up an old Macintosh SE/30.
It's only uneven if you apply it unevenly and don't expose it properly to UV light- the sun works but you need to rotate it. If you've got a UV bulb, that produces some serious results.
I used lab quality 45%, and it was done quickly. Done a second time with 10%- more patience required but otherwise same results

 

I'm not sure that a "mass-produced" Retr0bright would even be useful, since you still need to add the oxy action to get the reaction going.

If you're after an easy way to Retr0bright, I'd recommend using a hydrogen peroxide creme from a hair salon. It comes already thickened, so all you need to add is the oxy action. This is pretty much the only option for me, since I can't find any stores in Australia that sell big bottles of straight hydrogen peroxide, in order to submerge the item. Even buying a whole bunch of small bottles is still really expensive.

 

but wouldn't mass producing it allow people like you access to it via an online store?

 

Here in Sweden you can buy hydrogen peroxide in 1 or 5 liters at most if not all paint stores. Have you tried those? If you can't find it there, maybe ask a store that caters to professional (house) painters and carpenters? They should be able to hook you up.
I would recommend making the gel as it's way cheaper than submerging in liquid. If you can't find the peroxide after all, the cream is actually recommended by the inventors somewhere in this massive amibay thread:

http://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?t=1480

@DefectX11I: The residue from the oxy shouldn't be there. Oxy doesn't mix with peroxide so it's best to premix the oxy in a small amount of hot water before adding it to the blend.

Anyway, I can't really see the need to mass produce it. The hard part is using it anyway, not hunting down the ingredients. It would also as stated before in the thread be impossible to ship cheaply, if at all. At least internationally.

 

Paint stores! That's a good idea! I'll have to give them a look!

 

The point of the gel method is to avoid having to submerge something. That seriously reduces the amount of HOOH you need.

One advantage of using lower concentrations is that it slows the reaction down. That may seem odd, but the reaction still does produce heat. If you live in a hotter climate--especially if you're using direct sunlight--a slower reaction can prevent plastic from heat warping.

 

This guy pretty much found mass-produced Retr0Bright that can be purchased at hair salons-




You can buy a 32oz bottle from here-

http://www.amazon.com/Salon-Care-Vo...sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1389365900&sr=1-1


Looks like it is an exclusive product by Sally Beauty Supply. Hopefully one of you business types can convince them to sell a re-packaged one for gamers, lol.

 

Cool! Thanks for posting. I'll probably pick some up and give it a try!

 

might have to swing by a Sally's

 

It's not just exclusive to your US Sally chain (I mean they didn't invent it). We've got it in Poland as well, here it's known as Scandic oxydant 12% (roughly the equivalent to volume 40)

 

When I said 'exclusive product', I meant that it's their own brand. Terrible wording on my part, though.