20 Jun
2005
20 Jun
'05
3:14 p.m.
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?
It depends on what's casued it. If it's dirt/smoke residue/whatever on
the surface, then I would start with one of the anti-static foam cleaners
(both Electrolube and Servisol do good ones). If that doesn't help, I'd
try propan-2-ol (I haev found some marks that will come off with that and
not with the foam cleaner).
I've never found either of thos products to have an adverse effect on
casings, keytops, etc. You do want to take care if there are stuck-on
labels (particularly paper ones) that you want to preserve.
More often, though, particularly with DEC hardware, the yellowing is due
to a chemical change of the plastic. VT100s are well known for this.
AFAIK it can't be reversed. Maybe sanding off the surface would do
something, but it would also ruin any texturing of the surface too (and
therefore it's a bad idea!). Painting over it might help, it might also
make it look a lot worse. I'd just live with it, I think.
-tony