Apple IIc complete set restoration

[Denus]

A friend gave me a complete Apple IIc set with the system, monitor, stand and printer including the boxes (with the foam intact!), manuals and software.

There's no damage, but the plastic is quite yellowed, so I started a whitening treatment with a UV lamp for a change (no much sun atm...).

Well: it works very well: I'm quite pleased with the result.

The system is ready and reassembled, the monitor is still in treatment along with some other parts and bits.

Used: Osram Ultra-Vitalux 300W UV lamp and a good lamp-cage & ceramic fitting, a bottle of Oxi Kallos 12% and some time (4 hours with a lamp)

Obviously the summer sun does a better job, but this will certainly do as well.

 

[olePigeon]

Well, not necessarily.  I attempted to do the same thing with an Apple //e, but I couldn't get an even whitening under the sun.  The cream kept drying out too quickly, leaving streaks.

Yours appears to have turned out great.  I think the trick is a UV lamp, keep the stuff from evaporating.

 

[unity]

Pigeon, some said plastic wrap over the gel helps too.

But wow does that look sharp!

 

[Denus]

My trick is a simple plant sprayer with water.

Every half hour, I spray some water on the parts and I spread it out with a brush just to keep it humid.

Occasionally I have to add some cream, but not much.

That's what I did during the treatment in the sun too, works like a charm (done several Mac Classics).

 

[Denus]

I don't use plastic foil anymore: the wrinkles you get with foil causes streaks.

Btw: the UV lamp is also drying out the cream, hence the plant sprayer....

 

[techknight]

What about using liquid solution and a aquatic pump? Sprayer attachment to keep a continuous flow...

 

[Denus]

Nice idea, but then you'll need a closed room and a container to take in the liquid. That would be quite an installation.

I'll stay with my method: brush for the cream and sprayer for the moisture: easy and effective.

The monitor was very yellow, almost brown, but this is the result after a few hours (can't believe how nice it came out!)

 

[Denus]

...and this is the final result: 

I'm quite happy how the system turned out.

 

[unity]

What lamp did you use? It seems very effective. Only certain light wavelengths work well. And not all lamps produce the same.

 

[Denus]

I use a Osram Ultra-Vitalux 300W UV lamp: it's working great!

But be sure to use a solid lamp cage with a ceramic fitting, because it's getting hot!

 

[Denus]

Oh, and I got a tan too...   
It's wise to wear anti-UV sunglasses.

 

[Elfen]

Let me throw in - 

The lamp bulb itself, was it a clear florescent bulb or a dark purple/indigo painted bulb? That answer there will tell me a lot.

 

[unity]

The specs on the lamp.

UVA radiated power 315…400 nm 13.6W

UVB radiated power 280…315 nm 3.0W

Pretty broad specs, I like to see tighter numbers but they are just covering the entire tanning spectrum. Anything shorter than 280 is a little concerning.

 

[Denus]

It's a clear florescent bulb.

 

[Denus]

Whatever the thoughts regarding the given specs of the Osram UV lamp, I just treated a complete Apple IIc set with it and the result is awesome (even better than expected).

So, instead of staring at the numbers on paper, rather check the archived results... 

This lamp cost you $40,- and a good solid industrial lamp cage approx. $20,- 

Add a bottle of Oxi Kallos 12% (or similar), a brush and a plant sprayer, and you're good to go.

 

[unity]

I've been hunting for this lamp. In the US it seems $90 is common price. Not a cheap lamp! But I did fine one place online, and I am sure there are more, for less. Two lamps shipped to the US would be less than $120.

http://www.svetila.com/product_info.php?language=en&currency=USD&products_id=1170&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=BaseFeed&utm_campaign=products-EN&gclid=CJiZut3Fm8MCFQ4BaQodclIA6A

 

[Denus]

I found a German reseller on eBay who's selling this lamp for 39,- euro. (obviously, shipping costs can be too high for the US)

But the link you're showing is from Svetilla: my lamp came from the very same company, and it's the best customer experience I've even had so far!
Every step during the order, shipping etc was communicated to me so I was able to check the status during the whole process.

 

[Denus]

Btw: is there a 110 volt version of this lamp? I didn't see one yet. 

Very important to avoid heating problems and worse fire and/or short circuits: use a descent lamp cage!
The lamp cage must be able to handle the heat (300W). It's not that expensive: between $20 and $25, much cheaper than a new home...  

 

[unity]

110v versions of tanning lamps simply do not produce the proper output to reach the proper spectrum. The most effective lamp will be a 220v version such as this. If 110v would do, one would see tanning beds operating at 110v. They are all 220v. Some of the big ones are three-phase 220v.

I did find a US seller for about $60 each shipped. Thats a little more than the Euro sites, but not much.