Q: playfield plastic whitening with Retr0Bright

Haiku Automation

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Jun 9, 2011, 7:12:29 PM6/9/11

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If you have or know of someone that has used the Retr0Bright whitening
paste on 60s and 70s EM posts that are heavily yellowed, without
damage to the posts? Got photos of what you did and the results?

GOCATGO

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Jun 9, 2011, 8:32:31 PM6/9/11

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On Jun 9, 7:12 pm, Haiku Automation <haiku.automat...@gmail.com>
wrote:

> If you have or know of someone that has used the Retr0Bright whitening
> paste on 60s and 70s EM posts that are heavily yellowed, without
> damage to the posts? Got photos of what you did and the results?

There has been aquite a bit of discussion on this topic(you could
search...heres one 'thread:
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.pinball/browse_thread/thread/9b5cfa8424399193/7d1b2099aa9c8c6c?hl=en&lnk=gst&q=cleaning+yellow+posts#7d1b2099aa9c8c6c
) and testing /various techniques, and the final answer is...you
really can't get the yellow out. I think the product you mention had
been tried also. I've tried many different products and techniques
but it just doesn't come out. I can't remember who it was(I think
maybe Mark Clayton from Pinball Pal)had a pretty extravagant write up
w/pics on trying to get yellowed posts back to white. Search around
here and you will find more.

Russ
www.Team-EM.com

kurtok

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Jun 9, 2011, 9:29:08 PM6/9/11

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On Jun 9, 7:12 pm, Haiku Automation <haiku.automat...@gmail.com>
wrote:

> If you have or know of someone that has used the Retr0Bright whitening
> paste on 60s and 70s EM posts that are heavily yellowed, without
> damage to the posts? Got photos of what you did and the results?

I don't know about post but I have had great results with classic
Stern drops boiling them in 40% hydrogen peroxide. I know it's hard to
get that concentration unless you know somebody in an industry that
uses the stuff, but there's no reason to believe it wouldn't work with
weaker (say hair style supply) solutions. I haven't experienced any
warping or embrittlement either.
Kurt

JC

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Jun 9, 2011, 9:57:09 PM6/9/11

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The retrobright process was developed for use on ABS plastic. Bromine
was added to ABS for fire resistance but also caused the yellowing
over time. It works because it actually reverses the process that
caused the yellowing in the first place and not by bleaching, FYI.
I've had great success with it. the posts are made of. First thing to
do would be to determine what type of plastic the posts are made of
and then go from there.

Haiku Automation

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Jun 9, 2011, 11:48:53 PM6/9/11

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Thanks, I did remember reading up on the Bromine additives and
thinking after I posted that the old plastic likely isn't made with
Bromine since back in the 60s folks were likely very seldom concerned
with fire retardants in products made for pinball machines.

40% HydroPerox is my next search. Anyone got a lead on where to buy
it in 'volume' as in a gallon size jug? What industries would handle
this type of stuff, or need it for production, bleaching or cleaning?
TY!