John's Classic Restoration Thread

[SE30_Neal]

Very nicely done. I have yet to experiment with Retrobrighting. Excellent take-apart pictures, i must say. It's been a while since I was inside a Classic.

I retrobrite differentlt from most and mine worked on all really well, its worth it to make it look original  agree with you over Jonny’s great strip fown photos, great work 

 

[superjer2000]

@SE30_Neal How do you retrobrite?

 

[SE30_Neal]

I just paint on the peroxide cheam from the bottle and then cling film it in so it doesn’t dry out, then leave it outside for a 1-4 hrs depending on how sunny it is.  I’ve done 3 computers and a few a accessories now and not one has gone wrong or streaky. I do check every hour and rub it to make sure no blobs appear.

that it, no mixes

 

[LaPorta]

I'd like to know what the stuff you use is, and if it is available in the US.

 

[Johnnya101]

Just simple Sally beauty supply 40 volume. Any lower and it will still work, just slower, any higher and you'll burn it. The white stuff, not the clear (I haven't heard of anyone using the clear, might work still though?)

Doing a session now inside in the heat with sun shining through the window and a UV lamp on it. Definitely getting brighter.

I don't typically recommend using cling film. I've had awful results using it. It's not worth the risk. Many others think the same. If the item fits in a ziplock bag though, just use that. A compact Mac is a little too big.

 

[SE30_Neal]

I use same as Jonny. My daughter works at a hair salon and gets me a generic 40% volume peroxide white cream.

i have a uv lamp which i have used but sunshine works better.

i have heard others having bad results with cling film but its worked perfectly for me with the neat cream.

like I mentioned I always check and turn items every hour and rub it to make sure no streaks occur.

 

[Johnnya101]

Well folks, its certainly chugging along... Slowly.... but its coming out nice. Its actually just turning lighter just by drying out in the open! :0

Now its a lighter baby puke beige. Some minor streaking everywhere, but it should go away. The handle streaking went away, only to be replaced with some more light streaking :/ Probably two, maybe three more sessions and it will be platinum again. Then on to the keyboard and mouse! (PS. Was the mouse in 1991 with the Classic a rectangle one or teardrop?)

 

[Johnnya101]

Getting closer... Dont know whats going on in the photo with the weird haze on the front panel, thats not there. Color is now a slightly lighter and more even beige. Looks like any old compact that has been sitting in a closet now. Still blotchy white and yellow, not from me, it was like that to start with.

Again, sorry for the weird colors and lighting. Had to use flash.

Edit, here's a photo of the comparison between the back of the adjustment door and the part of the case covered by the front. A lot closer than I thought. Probably 2 more light sessions or one all day one.

 

[Johnnya101]

Finally... A decently lit photo.

Had the case with cream on it for around 7-8 hours today but still only under a UV lamp. Dark and cold out . If I had just a few hours of wamrth and strong sun it would be done. Still a light beige tinge to the case, no streaking at all (yet). The front bottom is still yellow, along with the front top edge. NOW I can accurately say with confidence 2 more sessions top and it should be good to go. It's super close... Now it's the same shade as my SE/30. Can't believe that blue tape has held up through the hyrdrogen peroxide and shower baths.

Whaddya think TechEdison?

 

[SE30_Neal]

Looking good Jonny

 

[Johnnya101]

Cleaned and lubed the floppy drive, cleaned up the backet, CRT, etc. Sent the analog and logic board out to get recapped. Put the rest back together to clean up the pile of parts laying around.

I think this one was a sucess.

Very very very minor streaking on the top (why is it always the top?). Seems to have gotten a lot better after drying overnight. One of the sides is a little more yellow then the front panel side edge. I'm leaving it as is, no way am I going to risk this.

It was super bright and sunny out yesterday in NH so I decided to do the keyboard and mouse too. Keyboard is pretty much fully there (had to remove each and every one of those stupid keys) and.mouse is spot on.

I'm happy with the results. Now we wait for the recap.

 

[dkjones96]

Very nice! Makes me second think not retrobrighting my Classic 2 and its associated keyboard and mouse...

 

[LaPorta]

Very impressive, John. Makes me want to try on my ghetto SE case for practice.

 

[SE30_Neal]

Looks great Jonny! Result

 

[Johnnya101]

Finally can conclude this thread. Woohoo!

Thanks to the amazing work of LaPorta, this Classic has a stable and crisp display along with working sound!

The case came out nice. I did end up giving it one more go, a side was unevenly colored. The top came out really nice, the handle has some streaks (that would come out if I did more), and one side has some light streaks. The case looked like trash before, so I can't really be upset. I'm sure if I were to wait a year or two and do it again it would clear up. The front has a square patch where a sticker was, seemed to have discolored the plastic, NOT ME.

Will probably have to let it go soon for saving up for that clear SE case .

Not a speck of burn in on the CRT. Very unusual for a Classic.

Anyways, it's a wrap! Restoration complete. Thanks LaPorta!

 

[TechEdison]

Awesome! Glad to see it fully restored.

 

[LaPorta]

John, I’m so glad it worked out. I feel bad about the PB LCD thing, but I guess as the Meatloaf song goes : “2 outta 3 ain’t bad.”

 

[Bunsen]

Folks, please try not to quote a 23-photo post just to add a one line comment.  Use the Reply To Post box instead of the Quote button.

Edited.