Why Do Old Plastics Turn Yellow?
You may have observed that older plastics, especially from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, have begun to yellow over time. Many people believe this is due to damage from smoking around the device, but while smoking can affect electronics, it is not the cause of the yellowing. The discoloration actually results from prolonged exposure to sunlight.
During the manufacturing of old plastics, companies added a chemical called bromine to ABS plastics, commonly used in retro technology, as a fire retardant. Over time, bromine reacts with the polymers in the plastic, causing it to yellow, with this process being accelerated by heat and UV light from the sun.
So how is it reversed? The brightening process we use involves hydrogen peroxide, other chemicals, and a UV light source. The UV light activates the reaction, causing hydrogen peroxide to bond with the bromine in the plastics. This interaction frees radicals and restores the original color of the plastics.
Reverse The Yellowing.
RETRO FIX Skegness specializes in plastic restoration, capable of restoring any yellowed device, not just computers and game consoles, back to its original colour.
We achieve this using the process outlined above, involving a mix of hydrogen peroxide and other chemicals. Rest assured, when performed correctly, this process does not harm the plastics. Although we may not achieve a 100% perfect match, the difference is typically substantial, bringing the plastics very close to their original color. It's important to note that this process is not bleaching or painting the plastics; instead, it reverses years of yellowing to restore their original hue.
Does It Last Forever?
The brightening process does not last indefinitely; just as the plastics yellowed over time originally, they will eventually yellow again. The process removes the yellowing but does not eliminate the bromine that causes it. Currently, there is no permanent solution to prevent yellowing, but with proper care, you can significantly slow down or even halt the yellowing process.
To slow or stop the yellowing process, the solution is quite simple. Since yellowing is accelerated by heat and UV light, it's best to minimize their exposure. Avoid storing your retro technology near windows or heat sources like radiators. If you keep them in a display cabinet, consider applying a UV-filtering film to the glass, which is easily available online and simple to install. Alternatively, you can apply UV-filtering film to the windows of the room where the device is stored or used.
But what if the device is regularly used? For frequently used devices at RETRO FIX Skegness, we use custom covers, as shown in the photo to the side. Many online sellers offer these covers for a wide range of devices.