My first 'retrobrighting'... it worked out!

As you know fellows, some of our beloved gadgets become yellowish over the years. White and light grey plastics turn brown-yellow with time.
This is most seen in 80s computers.
Ok, so I learnt how to apply a technique called retrobrighting to this plastics thanks to The 8-bit guy and decided to try.
After trying with some of my beloved walkmans, I tried with this. As you can see, it fade intro a very ugly brown-yellow (call it how you wish):
I applied this treatment to the upper part, and here's the result:



I was very surprised with the result. So I moved one and tried with my smaller kid's walkman, a very simple Panasonic:



What you need is hydrogen peroxide cream like this:



You have to cover it with cream, with your hands. Then cover it with a thin plastic film and let it under direct sunlight for some hours. For this I dissasembled it, removed the mechanics and electronics:



Finally, remove the plastic film and clean with water. After assembling, this is the result:



So, yeah it works!!

Next step...


More news soon...

[UPDATE]
The final result:
http://stereo2go.com/forums/threads/sony-wm-f107-total-restoration.5186

 

No idea...

 

Do you see any of the printing fading from the process? I wonder if tanning or ultraviolet lights would work, summer is short here.

 

Absolutely not. No fading of any printing. It worked just great.
It probably works under UV lighting.

 

Yes, indeed.
In english is hydrogen peroxide cream, while in spanish is "agua oxigenada". H2O2 in chemical language. I bought it in a professional hair products store. I think it's used to apply coloration to the hair.
Take a look at this and you'll see the process. He uses UV light but direct sunlight is totally enough. I've used sunlight.

It seems it doesn't affect at all.

 

stuck-in-time, you may want to try "Forever Black" or one it's many competitors. Made for faded plastics on cars, I use it and it works great initially but it will either fade or dry off after a few weeks time, going back to faded condition. I've used a few different brands and haven't found a favorite yet. I saw Techmoan tried it out on his YouTube Channel. The auto detailing forums have a lot of different ideas for restoring plastics, they might have alternatives for your part of the world.

I've watched a lot of 8-bit/8-bit keys and he has several other ideas for labels, decals and overall cleaning. He also fixes vintage equipment with basic skills, highly recommended if you like 80's electronics.

 

Sunlight (or UV) is the key to sucess, my friend
I bet so. That guy uses this one, as you can see in the video:

 

I've never heard about that product. But does it fix faded black plastics that become grey or also yellowed whites?
Anyway, if in just a few weeks it stops working, doesn't seem a big help.
I use another product to help black plastics to keep in better condition, with deeper black and also avoid the sticky plastic. This also helps belts:

 

Yes. liquid can be used too. The 8-bit guy has a video comparing several methods for retrobrighting and the liquid works great too, but the water has to be warmed up previously.
Seems that for big parts, like a computer case it leaves no 'marks' as the cream can do, due to the way the sun creates 'shadows' depending on how uniformly distributed the cream is.

 

That looks like the same type of product walkman archive. I use it on chrome truck bumpers with plastic padding or steps, it goes from being cruddy to nice and black but after time out in the hot sun it tends to need retreatment after a few weeks. I don't know if it lasts longer if it's left inside.

 

Well, I'm in Spain, not in the US. I went to a near hair products store for professionals and asked the woman for hydrogen peroxide cream, which is called "agua oxigenada" cream here. Agua = water, Oxigenada = 'oxygened'.
I'm totally sure that you can find a similar product near you; no need to find the same exact one.