yellowed murky plastic

[Bjørn Vermo]

On 20 Jun, 2005, at 12:03, 'Computer Collector Newsletter' wrote:

> A good topic for the classiccmp knowledge base!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org 
> [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org]
> On Behalf Of Chris M
> Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2005 12:25 AM
> To: cctech at classiccmp.org
> Subject: yellowed murky plastic
>
> I would imagine this question has been asked hundreds of times, but 
> what to
> do about it? Im guessing soaking it in bleachy water (50/50?). What 
> say you?
>

This is difficult!
Generally, "bleaching" will make plastic yellowish and often brittle.

To restore old plastic, one needs to know what kind of polymer, what 
kind of plasticisers, and what kind of filler it is made from.
I only took two years of organic chemistry, so I know way too little 
about how to proceed, but I have an inkling this is going to be a big 
issue for future museum people.

-- 
-bv