Cleaning, yellowing and storage
A good clean and a dry place to store it are worth more than any repair. And when it comes to yellowed plastic and the famous retrobright, it pays to know the risks.
Difficulty: EasyTime: 1 h
⚠ Before you start
- Never get the board or the assembled keyboard wet. Only wash plastic parts that have been separated from the electronics.
- The hydrogen peroxide used in retrobright irritates the skin and eyes: wear gloves and goggles.
Cleaning the case
- 10Take the case apart and separate the plastic parts from the board and the keyboard.
- 20Wash the plastic with warm water and mild soap, using a soft brush in the grooves.
- 30Rinse with clean water and let it dry completely before reassembling.
- 40On the board, only use a brush for the dust and isopropyl alcohol on dirty spots.
Why plastic turns yellow
Many plastics from that era contain brominated flame retardants, which react with light and heat and turn the surface yellow. That is why an A500 case can be beige in one area and yellow in another.
Retrobright involves applying hydrogen peroxide and exposing the plastic to ultraviolet light, which reverses some of the yellowing. It has risks: it can leave blotches and a marbled effect, make the plastic more brittle, and the yellow can come back over time. If you do it, try it first on a part that is not very visible, keep an eye on the time and keep the application even.
Storing it properly
A dry, cool place out of direct sunlight. Avoid lofts and garages, where damp and temperature swings damage boards, tapes and floppy disks.
Remove the clock batteries (see the guide on batteries) and keep floppy disks and cassettes away from magnets, speakers and monitors.
When to bring it to us
For a full restoration, with cleaning, a board overhaul and treatment of the case, ask us for a quote: we do all the work and return the machine tested.
Request a repairThese guides are for information. Working on old electronics carries risks: do it at your own risk, with the machine unplugged, and never open power supplies or CRT monitors. If in doubt, bring the machine to us.