Mass producing Retr0Bright.

It's probably not a good idea to copy that formula- it has a bundle of compounds in there that, well, we don't know if they have any long term effects on plastic.

Personally, if I need to retrobrite something I'll stick to making up some pure formula. Typically the things you want to restore are hard-er to find than a common yellowed hunk of plastic, so (IMO) it's not worth the risk.

 

The quickest, easiest and cheapest solution to a discolored console:



Time taken; around 45 minutes (not including drying).

Difficulty; can you use a screwdriver and an aerosol?

Cost; < $10

I know it doesn't maintain the original look (although you could probably find a pale grey paint that would look close) but I'm a gamer, not a collector, I just hated that nicotine/urine/whatever look.

 

Yes, it's fast and easy, but not the point of the thread. Retrobrite is used to restore the original look of the device or plastic shell, and mostly is used for rare systems.

You wouldn't want to custom color an Apple Lisa. You'd get people complaining all over the place. Like the time that guy used a dvt-4 for a case for a custom pc. Ruined the whole machine, and everyone here was up in arms.

 

I hear you, trouble is, from what I've read the majority of people don't do it right, the skip chemicals, apply wrongly, don't wait long enough. There's a pretty good chance of doing permanent damage doing Retr0brite wrong.

If you were going to manufacture and sell a 1-bottle solution you'd have to be damn sure it was:

A. Foolproof

B. Tested in every possible application to eliminate the possibility of lasting damage to a valuable item, and ensuing financial liability.

Are Apple Lisas really sought after? Didn't they have to bury 1000s of them in the desert 'cause they couldn't sell them?

 

No, the Lisa was a great computer, if you could afford it. One of the first with a GUI.

That's the thing, and that's what's stopping me from going out on a whim and making a kickstarter project for this- there's such a fine balance of what you can provide to make people happy.

You could just slap a large warning label on it stating any damage caused by misuse is not the company's fault.

 

The disclaimer on the site:

Nobody sane would take on distributing it as an end product. There are far too many issues. And it's not really a tried and tested product ready for sale - it's a use at your own risk solution.

 

Well, if you actually read through the thread...

 

Regardless there's a massive amount of work and time someone would have to put in.

And I don't think anyone would be too interested in a product that puts so much responsibility on the end user.

I guess you could say it's like shipping a cake in the mail, but it's only the ingredients- the end user must mix, bake and garnish all while avoiding bodily injury, burning the cake and poor results due to improper use.

 

You do realize you can buy cake mix through the mail?
Good point, but bad metaphor ;*)

You're chemically altering the condition of the plastic with a strong oxidizer and UV light. Since nobody has provided a sarcastic, jaded response lately, in large part not commercially producing it will aid preservation in the long run, limiting the number of yahoos that melt rare hardware cases in an effort to raise their value and turn a buck.

 

Wow, I went into my bathroom and found the salon care 40 Maximum Lift creme bottle in my cabinet. It's my sisters. I've never tried to retrobrite anything but my PCE controller is seriously yellow so I'm gonna try this tommorow. Thanks for the Youtube link. I would've never known.

 

I read the thread. My statement stands.

Nobody would go through the testing stage to make sure it does what it says on the tin without adverse reactions, then get approval to sell the product, then have the licence to ship it... especially when it's a two-part mix that you're not supposed to mix until you are ready to use it... and it's a volatile substance that needs careful mixing and use. Anyone who says they'll do it as a get-rich quick scheme is very naive and would get themselves in hot water.

 

ultra violet light where can i buy a full lamp from in the uk.

 

What I actually meant is that there is already Retr0Brite ready to go, but it is probably not as potent, and it apparently works (according to that Macbook Pro guy in the YouTube vid I supplied).

Me saying "Somebody should get that company to repackage it for gamers' tastes lolololol" shouldn't be taken seriously.

 

As for the hair gel stuff i found that i found the light i will do this next month or so and see how it goes.

 

Weeeelllll... you're just repeating what was in my quote, there - so read it for the answer! Someone's making something and selling it, but without authorization of those who "invented" Retr0bright. As I said, they're doing it as a get-rich quick scheme and it WILL backfire on them. They're idiots, basically.

Have no fear, I'm not taking what you said seriously - it's just a response to the OT.

I love how Mechagouki painted his SNES because he hates the urine-stained look, and then took a photo of it next to a half piss-yellow Nintendo 64 that is HIDEOUS!

Bart - usual sellers. My suppliers thread, as always! Or eBay. Of course, most people will do it the cheap way and get a standard fluorescent light fitting.

 

Ive seen people just submerge the plastic in liquid hydrogen peroxide and seems to work really well

 

One of the better places to find a UV lamp would be a pet shop that sells reptiles.

 

Hey!!!

I happen to like the Pikachu special edition quite a bit thankyouverymuch.

It's not like I couldn't pick up a black unit for $10 if I really wanted one.

I prefer to think of it as custard-yellow BTW.

Mmmmm, Custard.

 

That would make you the only one. Enjoy your seizures from the flashing cheeks!

 

This is what I'm wondering. There are plenty of cheap UV lights on eBay that I could make a makeshift stand for but I have no idea what rating it should be etc. Tempted to give the hair creme method a go on my Apple II which is horribly yellowed.