I scheduled my clean-up session for today, and I should have checked the weather forecast. After the hot past days, the storms are upon us. This mistake means that I will not be able to retrobright my Apple IIe Platinum‘s case today. If you are wondering what retrobright means, check out this previous post about the Sony HBF-500F here. Not a big deal, I’ll do that later. However, I cleaned-up the motherboard nicely. Since this computer was in good shape, I only used isopropyl alcohol, cue tips, and a lot of elbow grease.
Up to now, this clean-up is an ideal scenario, but sometimes, the patient needs way more attention. In some cases, it may come close to a sanitary hazard, as with my HP-207 IPC here. In which case, the clean-up session can take several days. Because you may need to use various chemicals, always follow the manufacturer’s specifications, especially regarding aeration of the workspace. I would definitively recommend gloves and glasses for these complicated cases.
Before applying any chemical onto any surface, but especially if it is plastic, always test it on a small hidden section of the case. The inside if often the best location for such tests. Also, it will usually give you a hint about the original color of the case. A piece of valuable information, so you know when to stop cleaning! In particular, if you go down the retrobright road. On this matter, here’s a lesson I learned bitterly: always wash-off your treated parts with abundant clear water. Some chemical reactions will not stop, and if you forget a section, it will be damaged beyond repair.
As I am heading back to work on Monday, I will resume my weekly publication schedule. Have a nice WE, and stay safe & tuned. Next step: upgrade the storage!