Re: Beige Apple IIgs

[lstrand@netcom.com (Leif Strand)]

In article <4pu06j$2ec@louie.csun.edu>,  <hbcsc419@huey.csun.edu> wrote:
>I am experiencing what must be a common problem for GS users, and possibly
>for the older Mac users. My gs, through years of use, is turning from it's
>Factory color, Platinum Gray, to a beige that is just beginning to
>resemble the //e.
[snip]
>I think, in my case, that a mildly damp cloth will do the trick, but in
>case it doesn't, what cleaning fluids (standard supermarket stuff) can I
>use to clean the cases without damaging them or rubbing off the letters
>silkscreened on?

My IIgs is the exact same way.  I didn't notice until the flyback in my
old monitor got fried, and I had to buy a new monitor from Alltech.  The
new monitor is platinum of course, and the browned CPU below it looks
really gross in bright light.  It's not quite as brown as a //e, though
(not yet, anyway). 

I'm not sure dust is the only culprit.  My family has an old "snow white" 
Imagewriter II which was obviously browned by the sunlight coming through 
a window.  You can see "shadows" of the original snow white color where 
the sun wasn't hitting it directly.

Every few years I pull all the keys of my keyboard and soak them in soapy
water (using ordinary dish detergent).  I do this mainly to eliminate the
gunk that accumlates with time, but interestingly it has also preserved
the platinum color -- the keys are the same color as my new monitor.  All 
the letters are intact, too.

I considered doing the same to the CPU case, but I was too lazy to remove
the motherboard and so forth, and I wouldn't dare sponge the surface with
the electronics still inside. 

Other things happen with time.  One of the clear plastic pads fell off 
the bottom of my mouse, and it would just -not- go back on, and 
eventually got lost.  Also, my keyboard is missing half a rubber foot.
*sniff* :-)

--Leif