Retrobright

A TRS-80 Color Computer showing significant yellowing
The same computer after treatment, showing yellowing largely reversed

Retrobright (stylized as retr0bright or retrobrite[1]) is a hydrogen peroxide–based process for removing yellowing from ABS plastics.

Yellowing in ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic occurs when it is exposed to ultraviolet light or excessive heat, which causes photo-oxidation of polymers that breaks polymer chains and causes the plastic to yellow and become brittle.[2]

Composition

Retrobright consists of hydrogen peroxide, a small amount of TAED (tetraacetylethylenediamine; often advertised as an "active oxygen" laundry booster) as a catalyst, and a source of ultraviolet (UV) light.[3]: 269 [1] The yellowed plastic is covered in the solution and then exposed to the UV light for up to several hours or days.[3]: 269–270 [1] Xanthan gum or arrowroot can be added to the solution, creating an easier-to-apply gel.[4][5] Hydrogen peroxide–based hair bleaching creams are often used in favor of household hydrogen peroxide because the creams are available in higher concentrations (9 to 12 percent) and are viscous, allowing them to be applied with less waste, especially to large pieces.[6][7]

History

The use of hydrogen peroxide on yellowed household plastics had been known as a home repair method as early as the 1960s.[8][9] It did not gain currency among hobbyists and collectors until the late 2000s, when a number vintage computing enthusiasts developed a formula involving hydrogen peroxide through discussion on message boards.[3] In March 2008, the proprietors of a German computer museum, CBM Museum Wuppertal, published online their success story of submerging yellowed computer case parts in hydrogen peroxide for five days.[10][11] This news was initially celebrated by the Amiga community in Germany and eventually trickled to the English Amiga Board, where a number of chemist users including Dave Stevenson refined the process further over the summer of 2008, adding TAED to the formula while emphasizing the role of UV light.[12][13]: 16  The term retr0bright was coined during this period.[14]: 118 

Alternatives

Sodium percarbonate may also be used by dissolving it in water and following the usual steps for hydrogen peroxide, as it is sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide in a crystalline form.[15]

Ozone gas can also be used for retrobrighting, as long as an ozone generator, a suitable container of sufficient size, and a source of UV are available.[16]

A sous-vide method has also been developed, using an immersion circulator (commonly used for sous-vide cooking) to heat a solution of hair bleaching cream and water. This heated solution is then applied to the yellowed plastic. This process is said to be more effective by some users.[16]

A simpler but slower process involves merely exposing the yellowed plastic to bright sunlight.[17]

Effectiveness

The long-term effectiveness of these techniques is unclear. Some have discovered the yellowing reappears, and there are concerns that the process weakens and only bleaches the already damaged plastic.[3]: 270 [18] For example, in a 10-year study conducted by Shelby Jueden of the YouTube channel Tech Tangents, a yellowed Dreamcast case (manufactured around 1999) received the standard retrobright treatment of hydrogen peroxide and UV light in 2015. Instead of retrobrighting all surfaces of the case, Jueden covered up portions of the bottom half with tape so that they did not receive any hydrogen peroxide and UV. Upon re-evaluating the case in 2025, Jueden observed that the treated surfaces exhibited significant yellowing, as well as other blemishes such as streaking and blotching, that the untreated surfaces lacked. Jueden concluded that untreated ABS maintains better color consistency over time. He also concluded that retrobrighting acts only as a temporary fix and that all methods may cause irreversible damage to the appearance of ABS plastic.[16][19][20]

Similar processes

The usage has also expanded to other restoration applications, such as classic and collectible sneakers and collectible toys.[4][21]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Branwyn, Gareth (2022). Make: Tips and Tales from the Workshop (Second ed.). Make Community. p. 140. ISBN 9781680456332 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Santos, R.M.; G.L. Botelho; C. Cramez; A.V. Machado (October 2013). "Outdoor and accelerated weathering of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene: A correlation study". Polymer Degradation and Stability. 98 (10): 2111–2115. doi:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2013.07.016.
  3. ^ a b c d Lendino, Jamie (2019). Faster Than Light: The Atari ST and the 16-Bit Revolution. Steel Gear Press. pp. 269–270. ISBN 9781732355217 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ a b Kahney, Leander; David Pierini (2019). The Cult of Mac (2nd ed.). No Starch Press. p. 180. ISBN 9781593279141 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Nerbas, Reena (July 28, 2012). "How to make a product similar to Retr0bright". Winnipeg Free Press. p. F4. ProQuest 1029893262.
  6. ^ Narcisse, Evan (September 24, 2014). "The Secret To Keeping Old Consoles Looking New? Hair Product". Kotaku. Archived from the original on May 15, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  7. ^ Huber, Jeanne (May 5, 2016). "Restore yellowing plastic drawer fronts". The Washington Post. p. T3. ProQuest 1786753552.
  8. ^ Whitman, Roger C. (February 10, 1964). "Cleaning Yellowed Plastic". The Daily Advance. Lynchburg, Virginia. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Staff writer (July 31, 1964). "Ailing House". The Cincinnati Post. p. 41 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Fitzpatrick, Jason (March 7, 2009). "Retr0Bright Restores Yellowed Vintage Plastic to Factory Fresh". Lifehacker. Ziff-Davis. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021.
  11. ^ Ángel Jiménez de Luis (May 25, 2010). "Retr0bright lava más blanco" [Retr0bright washes more white]. El Mundo. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  12. ^ Doctorow, Cory (March 2, 2009). "Open source computer polish: Retr0Brite". Boing Boing. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017.
  13. ^ Crookes, David (April 28, 2016). "Mod Your Old Computers". Micro Mart. No. 1411. Dennis Publishing. p. 8–9, 12–14, 16. ProQuest 1790181825.
  14. ^ Crookes, David (September 2018). "Preserving the Past". Computer Shopper. No. 367. Dennis Publishing. p. 112–119. ProQuest 2117080408.
  15. ^ Stewart, Terry (January 21, 2011). "De-yellowing computers with laundry whiteners (i.e. sodium percarbonate) only". Terry Stewart's (Tezza's) Webzone for Classic Computers. Archived from the original on December 15, 2025.
  16. ^ a b c Morales, Jowi (December 6, 2025). "A 10-year study indicates that treated surfaces turn yellow more severely than untreated plastic parts – retrobrighting does more harm than good to consoles". Tom's Hardware. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on January 15, 2026.
  17. ^ Farquhar, Dave (June 22, 2020). "Retrobright with sunlight and no chemicals". The Silicon Underground. Archived from the original on April 22, 2026.
  18. ^ Farrell, Greg (2020). Game Boy Modding: A Beginner's Guide to Game Boy Mods, Collecting, History, and More!. No Starch Press. p. 51. ISBN 9781718500150 – via Google Books.
  19. ^ McFerran, Damien (December 8, 2025). "'Retrobrighting' Might Actually Cause More Harm Than Good to Your Yellowing Consoles". Time Extension. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on March 10, 2026.
  20. ^ Noorali, Rahim Amir (December 10, 2025). "A recent Sega Dreamcast test shows why you should stop retrobrighting your old game consoles". Notebookcheck. Archived from the original on March 11, 2026.
  21. ^ Staff writer (March 9, 2016). "Calling all sneakerheads: How to keep your white kicks pristinely white". Daily Times. Lahore: HT Media. ProQuest 1771314823.

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