22 Sep
2010
22 Sep
'10
8:49 a.m.
On 21 Sep 2010 at 17:12, Martin Goldberg wrote:
Hope that answers you question. I've used the
process on several
items myself about two years ago (Apple III case, white bally computer
case) to great success. So far no degradation of the plastic, and no
re-yellowing.
Martin, I've followed the Retrobrite (forgive me for not using the
"LEET" spelling) saga since nearly its inception.
To date, I know of not a single museum conservationist who agrees
wtih or uses the retrobrite process, even though all agree that
plastics degradation is a serious problem.
If the process were vetted by POPART, I would feel much better about
it.
Retrobrite also does not address the loss or breakdown of
plasticizers (e.g. that Apple monitor that was spontaneously
disintegrating. I also have a tape drive bezel that's behaving
similarly). Nor does it address the breakdown in high-density
structural polyurethane foam used on some enclosures.
I submit that the problem with plastics is far more complex and
problematical than the Retrobrite folks make it to be.
--Chuck