Retr0bright - German options

EspritBerlin · 13 Feb 2018, 22:36

Dear All,

since I collected Cherry keyboards in the late 90s, I stored some in a box in my cellar. A few weeks ago I found a Cherry G80-1000 HAD, manufactured B02 (in 1989) - made in West Germany. It has 3 modes PC/XT, AT02, and MF and should work via DIN to PS/2 connector today.

It was not in bad shape, but the ABS was very yellowed since the time I picked up the keyboard (somewhat around 1998).

: G80-1000 HAD (1989) - yellowed ABS; 20180206_201550.jpg (2.44 MiB) Viewed 3103 times

: G80-1000 HAD, type platze; 20180206_201601_small.jpg (179.15 KiB) Viewed 3103 times

I read a lot about Retr0bright'ing the ABS, but most of the formulas are UK or US based.
So: what to buy in Germany? I looked for a German and easy option and went to a local shop for hairdressing supplies and bought "Cosmo, Profi-Hair" (Oxy creme 12%)

Spoiler:

and blonding powder

Spoiler:

I mixed the creme and the powder about 1:1/3 and followed the regular Retr0bright procedure: apply to ABS, wrap in plastic wrap to prevent drying out (and keep the mess a little bit less messy) and exposed to the sun almost the whole day - in early February

.

: Bleaching the ABS; 20180208_074610_small.jpg (315.2 KiB) Viewed 3103 times

The weather that day in February 2018 was sunny, but cold, around 5 degrees Celsius (41°F).
The case was nasty

Spoiler:

and I did not expect a good result using my untested mixture.

But ...

: Almost new G80-1000 HAD; 20180211_215849_scale.jpg (173.42 KiB) Viewed 3103 times

: Detail; 20180209_220922_scale.jpg (284.44 KiB) Viewed 3103 times

I was very much surprised and happy.

After cleaning off the bleaching residue I tested the keyboard. All keys work, also the LEDs.

Happy Retr0bright'ing, best regards from Berlin
EspritBerlin

OldIsNew · 13 Feb 2018, 22:44

Nice, looks good! I'm impressed with how the case came out (and the keys). I have a couple of cases I've been thinking of doing, but have been afraid of getting blotchy results - I may have to go ahead and try one now.

Wodan · 13 Feb 2018, 22:47

Not really hard to come by in Germany:
https://www.amazon.de/SM-55-Wasserstoff ... ref=sr_1_7

ShivaYash · 13 Feb 2018, 23:02

Nice!

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wickedbrain · 13 Feb 2018, 23:08

Right. Here it comes ... You've watched 'Breaking Bad' - you know what to do!

BTW - Awesome job brightening that old lady up again!

Sangdrax · 14 Feb 2018, 05:20

That turned out just fantastic. Great job!

Cattus_D · 14 Feb 2018, 10:28

Looks good! Thank you for sharing.

PlastikSchnittstelle · 15 Feb 2018, 15:50

WOW, great job you did! I got some of those from ebay just to get the caps. Never seen one of these boards in such a clean and shiny condition before. Suddenly I'm so much wore attracted by it.

I would say you made this keyboard travel back in time

kohlerm · 19 Mar 2018, 08:37

Thanks! Good to know what to use for brighting in Germany.

I wonder whether those keycaps were really white originally, or whether they are beige.
I have some from en MY cherry board which look very similar, and I wonder whether it should try to bright them

Iggy · 19 Mar 2018, 09:17

Wodan wrote: ↑Not really hard to come by in Germany:
https://www.amazon.de/SM-55-Wasserstoff ... ref=sr_1_7

Thanks for the link. So that is the only liquid one needs to Retr0bright?

twinrotor · 19 Mar 2018, 15:34

Looks like you might have got up to 14% or a little higher with the mixture you used. I don't know if 2% in solution is going to make that much of a difference.

I've also seen successful attempts with less than 14%, as distilled water is added to cover parts (liquid), rather than a creme.