Cleaning up old Consoles

[Goldberg]

I now have UK, USA SNES with games/accessories.

Plenty of yellowing going on with them which makes them look dirty..
I have done some research and the yellowing is not from cigarette smoke or dirty people but from clean air! The Yellowing occurs due to the fire retardant chemical in the console reacting with the air.

After some quick Googling I have found this site: http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/

It details the 4 chemicals you need in order to make the cleaning fluid and then you either leave in sunlight to react or under a UV lamp.

It involves Hydrogen Peroxide, Xantham Gum, Glycerine and Oxy Laundry Booster.

Has anyone tried it? I am going to give it a go over the weekend providing I can gte hold of the Peroxide, the other ingredients should be easier to source.
I am going to test on some Cartridges and Pads first and then give it a go one the UK and USA SNES I have.

[DJ OD]

Don't inhale the fumes.


DJ OD

[Goldberg]

Yeah, this will be an outdoor activity!

[Spennyboy]

If it works and is cheap enough - you could make a few quid buying yellow SNES on ebay and then selling back as original.

[Goldberg]

I have ordered all the bits I need, we will see what happens.
Trying to clear some stuff up. You can make a pint of it, it says to add the Oxy at the end when you are applying. I need to know if I can use as much as needed and then add the Oxy or do I have to 'activate' it all...

[WotTheFook]

<------- I'm the person that wrote the Wiki (the handle Merlin was already taken on here). The Oxy laundry booster activates the hydrogen peroxide and once it's added, it's a one way trip. You can add the glycerine and xanthan gum and that mix is stable.

Stick to 10-12% H2O2 (the strongest available over the counter at Sally's is 12%) and you can't go wrong. If you are doing it outside, cover it in cling film if you are using the gel, to stop the water evaporating and sending the peroxide % through the roof.

BBlonde creme hair peroxide also works straight from the bottle. This is practically goof proof.

Just ask if you have any other questions.

[Goldberg]

Top man!

Here is what I have so far:

Care Glycerin from Boots (The one on the Blog, cost about £1.30)
Xanthan Gum (From Ebay)
Vanish Oxy Stain Remover, again the one from the Blog.

For the Peroxide I bought this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Truzone-Liqu...iquid+Peroxide

Hopefully you will say this is suffice?

When you say cover it in cling film, do you mean loosely or wrap it?

Also can you elaborate on the BBlonde stuff, when you say straight from the bottle do you mean you do not have to mix anything else?

[WotTheFook]

The peroxide you linked to is the right stuff. Spot on. By wrap it, I mean loosely cover it, or use a Ziplock bag that's big enough to hold the parts, as that will keep the water evaporation in and condensation inside the bag won't make any difference.

BBlonde creme hair peroxide will work straight out of the bottle, nothing else to be added. Just brush it on and wait.

You need the Oxy laundry booster for two reasons; one is that the alkaline detergents neutralise the tiny amount of phosphoric acid that they add to liquid peroxide to stabilise it in storage, the other is for the TAED content that works the magic by lowering the activation energy for the reaction. Basically, it's a catalyst. Don't use too much Oxy as it will foam like a burst sofa - 1/4 teaspoonful per pint of liquid is plenty.

I use one of the Braun stick hand blenders to mix the gel, the ones used to blitz stuff down to make soup. A liquidiser also works well. If the missus complains, just tell her that the peroxide will sterilise the blender, so it's all good. Xanthan Gum (used in bread for Gluten intolerant people) and Glycerine (used in cough mixtures) are food grade substances anyway, so you aren't about to poison anyone.

[Goldberg]

I was going to ask about the Blender with the chemicals. I think I am just going to buy one of the Tesco Value hand ones, they are about £3 last time I looked!

I have some Zip Lock bags that should be suffice, hopefully I will get a chance to do this at the weekend (weather permitting!).

I have a UK and US SNES to do, 4 controllers and about 6 game carts oh and a SNES mouse. I will do some before/after shots.
The USA SNES is the worst one! Will be interesting to see how it cleans up.

[Goldberg]

Right, managed to bag a UV light and a clip on lamp, so this will be happening at the weekend regardless. Probably do it in the loft where it is dark and well ventilated.

[raelmadrid]

got a few yellow snes's and dreamcasts, let us know how you get on

before and after pics if possible?

[Goldberg]

Sure, will hopefully have it done at the weekend.

Managed to get a hand blender from Argos for £4! Nice.

[Goldberg]

OK now that I am going the UV light way, do I still wrap it? Also how long do you recommend under the UV lamp?

[DJ OD]

got a few yellow snes's and dreamcasts, let us know how you get on

before and after pics if possible?

Never mind that, I'll want to know how much skin is left on his fingers and can he still see out of both eyes...

Poor old consoles


DJ OD

[WotTheFook]

Most yellowing will be reversed in eight hours or so. Daylight is best, as a lot of UV bulbs don't put enough out UV at the wavelength needed. UV can penetrate cloud layers, so even a day with hazy sunshine will get results. Keep the lamp at least 12 to 18 inches away or you risk heat from the bulb causing distortion of the parts.

[{{909}}]

no update, should we call a medic?

Interested to see if my old SNES has been transformed into a shiny new beast. I remember it was slightly yellowed when I got it, only being 3 or 4 years old at the time.

[Goldberg]

Haha,

No I was laying and sanding a new floor!! Might be this weekend now. Sorry guys, mad busy getting the house done.

[Spennyboy]

any update?

[Goldberg]

Hahaha, with me hacking the funk out of the $ky Now TV box you must be joking

I am at a wedding this weekend but on Sunday I am going to take them apart and providing Monday is sunny I am going to do it then as I have the day off. I PROMISE!!

[QfanatiQ]

What happened to the days of blinging these up!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/8...3e2bcc3f_c.jpg

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