Suggestions on how to clean a PSX case that is yellowing

I have a white PlayStation console where the case is turning yellow. Has anyone tried cleaning these? I read somewhere that you can submerge it in hydrogen peroxide and oxi clean to clean the case (at least for old Atari computers). Will doing this harm any lettering on the console or the PS symbol on it?

And lastly, how do I stop the yellowing? It has been wrapped in bubble wrap in a box for ages. There is a dehumidifier nearby so it shouldn't be getting damp.

 

The yellow is a reaction of the fire retardant placed in the plastic and oxygen and as such a dehumidifier wont do anything. The method you are speaking about is retr0brite you spread the mixture on the areas affected so as long as you dont get it on the logo its fine. im not sure about the reset button and on button text though

 

first off, pry up the symbol with a sharp blade or similar, the lettering should be fine against anything but scribbing the surface- just be gentle during your cleaning washes. same goes for stickers on the case bottom/back

 

I'm mostly afraid of the faint lettering "Video CD" near the parallel port. As long as I don't scrub around the lettering, it should be fine, correct? (or at least by theory)

 

in theory, yes.
just remember that unless you coat the case in uv sealant, the color will return just as much as before thanks to uv and heat exposure...

(one of the many reasons I don't do this to any of my stuff)

 

thanks defor. I haven't of using a uv sealant, but it's starting to sound like it's not worth it. I'd rather not chance ruining the shell.

 

yeah on a system that rare, i'd keep it as is, maybe consider doing the process if you were planning to sell it just to aim for the bigger bucks, but as a buyer (i need/want one of these systems badly), i usually avoid a lot of the bleach-white systems and computers that are boxless due to obvious "cheating" now that retrobrite exists.

 

For reference the retr0bright mixture and usage can be found here:-

http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/

I have personally used this mixture on a couple of things with varying degrees of success. Firstly it's only able to remove yellowing of ABS plastics only (which is used for creating most shells now). I found this out after not being able to get any sort of result from a PAL SNES, which is a different type of plastic which has a particular chemical in it to make it white when manufactured but this breaks down over the years and goes yellow.

What this means is that you'll get uniform discolouration across the console even on the inside. An ABS shell will discolour typically on surfaces exposed to sun/light (check out the image of the base unit that's had a monitor sat on top of it and you'll see where the monitor was and how that area isn't so yellow).

However it worked great for me on a Dreamcast, and even better on a piece of plastic from my washing machine (was good for testing, what can I say!).

After using the mixture in order to permanently preserve the whiteness you'll need to coat it with clear spray paint. However personally I prefer just leaving as it is as it will take some time before the yellowing will return.

 

Do you know which consoles use ABS other than PAL SNES?

 

Here is someone who used retr0bright on a super fami and got awesome results.
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=17667

 

I don't unfortunately however most modern consoles are likely to be made from ABS. You can find out what material it is usually as it is stamped on the inside (try checking on the inside of a Dreamcast lid), usually with a production date for example.

My PAL SNES has no stamp so I'm not sure what plastic it is. It could well be ABS as you mention because he got results from using Retr0bright. However mine had not yellowed in the same way (as I said it was uniformly yellow, even on the parts of plastic untouched by sunlight).

From what the Retr0bright guys told me it's likely that it could have been a bad batch of plastic where they'd actually stained it with a white chemical which has broken down over the years, which is why it's yellowed. This compares to UV light affected yellowing (which can be sorted by Retr0bright).

 

Does anyone know WHY the yellowing occurs? Is it better to leave the console out to get air (out of the sun of course) or to wrap it tightly in bubble wrap and store it in a box?

 

if I'm not mistaken it was some type of fire retardant they used in the plastic that causes it, I don't believe theres anything you can specifically do to keep it from occurring

 

The following link can explain the science behind it. Essentially it's a combination of a poor flame retardent added to the abs plastic and UV light. The more your console is exposed to UV light be it the sun or even home lighting the worse the yellowing.

http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/

Check out the links on the left for the science explanation and why you shouldn't use bleach.