Nes + SNES - anyway to reverse discoloration/oxidation?

[dgordon86]

Well a few of the systems I own have the problem many of us are faced with. discoloration.

Anyways, i was reading in another forum that its caused by oxidation of the chemical Nintendo sprays on the plastic + age.

is there anyways to reverse the whole process, either by taking a layer off, or soaking in some chemical?




also, I noticed that one of my nes systerms has a very glossy untextured finish unlike the rest. Anyone have a clue about this?

[Battymo]

Does anyone find it weird how you can get a SNES where one half (either the top or the bottom) has the discoloration, but the other half is fine?

I picked up a SNES today that had the top half grey and the bottom half as yellow. Weird.

[exit]

Does anyone find it weird how you can get a SNES where one half (either the top or the bottom) has the discoloration, but the other half is fine?

I picked up a SNES today that had the top half grey and the bottom half as yellow. Weird.

That happens to the first couple of batches, the SNES I have from the first release is that way.

[alec006]

Mines half yellow and grey,only my yellow is on the bottem not the top

[Ze_ro]

Well, if no one has any real ways to reverse it, then I would suggest trying your hand at painting it. If it's going to look like ass anyways, then there's not much risk in doing a bad job on it.

--Zero

[Slate]

Yes, I have one SNES that just has the top half yellowed, and another with both halves yellowed.

The best way to fix it is to give it a paintjob. I'm going to be painting one of my Yellowed SNES' black.

The best way to paint them is to order the 4.5 mm Security bit and use it to open the SNES, Then remove the components, And remove the parts that are still grey (The switches and the area around the cartridge port come out) And then clean it up real good, And finally paint it with some Krylon Fusion paint. Then after it's dry put everything back in the case the way you found it.

You may want to spend some time figuring out how you'll paint it, As there are lots of options, One wich i like is to paint the power switch and reset switch yellow, And the top half of the system red, and the bottom half blue. You know what that is - Mario Styled! I'm going to do that with a N64. You can also mario style the controllers, Wich then makes everything look awesome.

[Hounder]

Does anyone find it weird how you can get a SNES where one half (either the top or the bottom) has the discoloration, but the other half is fine?

I picked up a SNES today that had the top half grey and the bottom half as yellow. Weird.
Mine's like this as well and started wondering if it actually came that way.

[Cauterize]

There was someone on this forum who used Bleach to remove discolour on a PC Engine Duo-R

Have a look here, supposedly it will work with SNES
(However the thread is old and the linked pictures are dead)

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=65253&highlight=pc+engine+bleach

[Niku-Sama]

also, I noticed that one of my nes systerms has a very glossy untextured finish unlike the rest. Anyone have a clue about this?

i got one like that, came in a challenge set so i am guessing its an older NES

[FullCircle]

I had one where the top half yellowed after many years. I used Comet and lots of force to scrub out the discoloration. This works better on the SNES than the NES, though, so if anyone ever wants to reverse the effects of NES yellowing, I'd recommend bleach.

[heybtbm]

Bleach? Let's just stop this ridiculous hypothesizing right now. There is no way to "reverse" oxidation.

The only method that could work is to remove the oxidized layers with an abrasive (sandpaper for example). The main problem is that plastic doesn't "yellow" uniformly...plus who wants a scratched up console?

[Slate]

There was someone on this forum who used Bleach to remove discolour on a PC Engine Duo-R

Have a look here, supposedly it will work with SNES
(However the thread is old and the linked pictures are dead)

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=65253&highlight=pc+engine+bleach

I read that topic back when the pics were up, And there wasn't much difference between before and after bleaching the SNES, But the difference between bleaching the PC Engine Was like night and day.

I have said before, the best thing to do with yellowed SNES (And NES) Systems is to paint them.

[Slate]

OK, i take back what i said.. A bit.

I just took a yellowed SNES and removed the components, then i washed it in a bathtub with warm water and liquid soap, And it looked a lot better, But still not as good as it could look, So i am still going to paint it, Maybe this afternoon.

[NES_Rules]

I had an NES that was a little discolored, so I just cleaned it with soap and water. I took out all of the electrcal and metal stuff and washed it with dish soap. I let it dry in the basement (we have woodburner and it gets almost 100 down there) for an hour and put it back together.

The reason the SNES system discolors is because partway through the SNESs lifetime, Nintendo switched to a cheaper plastic to allow them to sell at a lower price. But the plastic turned a yellow color within a few years. Sunlight and smoke seem to speed up the process and make it worse.

[rbudrick]

But the plastic turned a yellow color within a few years. Sunlight and smoke seem to speed up the process and make it worse.

It is sped up for some plastics, but many folks have had equally ugly SNES that were brand new from a sealed box before. Oxidation is 99.9 percent of the yellowed SNESes.

-Rob

[dgordon86]

I'm going to try soaking a nes top (minus the flap) in bleach tonight or tomorrow.

I figure I have 7 between California and Massachusetts, whats the harm if ones messed? heh.


Wed. I'm bringing a camera home from school, i'll log the progress and let everyone know how it turns out!


Thanks for all the great feedback!

[Teknik_SE-R]

since you have it open, look for the plastic code (the little recycle triangle w/ a number in the middle) that will tell us what kind of plastic it is. then you can find an appropriate conditioner to slow the oxidaion down. kinda like using detail spray on the interion vinyl parts in your car. My guess is its ABS, so it won't have a recycle symbol. ABS oxidizes easily, but there are coatings you can put over it to 'etch' it, or protect it. however this will only slow the yellowing process (albeit, some coatings can slow it to the point of you never having to worry about it in your lifetime.)This is also assuming it is an environmental effect.

-The yellowing I have seen actually looks like it is an intrinsic (material) problem. in that case, you are SOL from preventing it. If this is the case and if it is already yellowed, you are SOL from turning it back

- the PC engine, if reversible, was most likely a surface oxidation (environmental), and not a material problem, thus, using a solvent removed the oxidized layer. the problem with that is when you use a solvent to remove oxidation, it is usually highly caustic to the parent material also, and if not washed off will cause the corrosion to return again. if you use a solvent like bleach or an ammonia based solvent, be sure to clean the solvent residue off and condition the part with an approved plastic conditioner (most automotive and hobby stores will have something)

-if you want to paint it, and you want it to be extra nice and match the unyellowed part, take an unyellowed part to an automotive paint place. They'll mix you up a nice rattle can for about $15 that matches the original color almost perfectly. And don't forget the clear coat (matte sheen). it will look alot better than hand painting. if you are going to sand it, sand lightly, and spray only a light coat of paint, then you can retain the original textre of the plastic.

Hope this helps

[whoisKeel]

I'm curious to hear more info about the textured NES. Mine is smooth, and my girlfriend's is textured on the top. What's the deal with this? My NES was purchased late (Octoberish) '87 as the Action Set.

[mrmark0673]

I own 2 SNES model 1 systems, one with a yellow bottom, one that looks like it did the day it was made. I have seen many yellow bottoms, but never a yellow top. Its interesting to hear that those can yellow as well. On that note, has anyone seen a system where both the top and bottom have yellowed? I bet it wouldn't look nearly as ugly.

I remember not too long ago someone was selling a "limited edition gold SNES" with a lot of games, claiming it was packaged with Killer Instinct gold on EBAY. He was furious that people were claiming it was old and yellow. Sold for a decent amount regardless of the sellers comments because it was packaged with some solid games like Mario RPG.

Back on topic, go for a paint job, there are plenty of links on DP that will give you solid info on how to do it. Some are done really well and give a little boost to a worn system.

[Jorpho]

Bleach? Let's just stop this ridiculous hypothesizing right now. There is no way to "reverse" oxidation.

Is anyone really certain about the particular chemistry involved here? Maybe it isn't even oxidation at all, but some sort of ongoing reaction of materials inside the plastic. Maybe it isn't even the plastic itself, but the grey dye used to color it.

It'd be nice to know more about it, but that specific information might be hard to come by. I suppose it would be pretty difficult to reverse whatever it is, though.

[mills]

This has been discussed to death, people have attempted different things and reported here with pictures before.

You cannot reverse the discoloration of an SNES console.

[Predatorxs]

This has been discussed to death, people have attempted different things and reported here with pictures before.

You cannot reverse the discoloration of an SNES console.

Mills is right, once it has happened thats it, plus it's due to the cheaper plastic used as well. But also the plastic goes weak and cracks easy too, especially around the screw housings inside the console.

Do a search and you'll see many of the topics that mention the whole yellowing snes situation.

here is a topic about painting snes consoles as well : * Link * (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16803&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=)

[Masco73]

I have 4 consoles and all seem to be different. One top, one bottom, one top and bottom and one not at all. The only consistent thing is the cart slot is the only part that hasn't discolored. I might go with painting because they look dog ugly.