Re: Beige Apple IIgs

[spec@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)]

In article hbcsc419@huey.csun.edu writes...
>
>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. This color change is due to dust buildup on the monitor,
>cpu, and disk drive casings. I've seen extreme cases at my local Junior
>High School, where their GSes have become badly discolored due to neglect.
>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?

   This is quite common with any Apple hardware I've purchased used. 
However, I don't think the cause is dirt or dust, it's more a case of
excess exposure to direct sunlight. Another cause is certain types of
indoor lighting (type used mostly in schools and offices) or cigar/
cigarette smoke, all three can badly discolor the plastic. 

   The best solution, which does no harm to the textured finish, is 
to soak a rag with Isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) and wipe the plastic
with that. An old toothbrush is helpful too, dip it in alcohol and
firmly rub over case with small circular motions (not over logos or
lettering though, just lightly run a damp cloth over that). In one
case, I purchased an AppleColor RGB display that was more or less
beige color. That annoyed me, so I used Comet (an abrasive bathroom
cleanser) and literally scratched off most of the discolored plastic.
I wouldn't recommend this, but it got my monitor looking closer to
platinum than beige. :) I would never do it to a CPU case though,
rubbing alcohol is as far as I go for that.

>A GS user doing late spring cleaning,
>Randy R. Rouch
>Student, California State University, Northridge
>http://www.csun.edu/~hbcsc419

Mitchell Spector
spec@vax2.concordia.ca