Anybody knows how to clean a 130XE and XEGS ?

[andy_bernstein]

Hello,

 

I got a 130XE and a XEGS from Ebay but they definitely come from a heavy smoker. Because the XE line is grey / beige, they're not as forgiving with smoke as the XL line. Has anyone of you ever cleaned up a "yellowed" XE system and got good results ? And, if yes, what product did you use ?

 

AB.

[Bryan]

Usually that's not from smoke, but UV exposure. I don't know of a way to remove it.

 

-Bry

[andy_bernstein]

Bry,

 

Thanks for the reply but it's definitely smoke: it 'smells' so bad, I have to leave the 130XE in its box when I'm not using it.

 

AB.

[+davidcalgary29]

I'd take the casing off, take the keys out, and give them all a good cleaning. I bought a "yellowed" 130XE myself a few days ago, and found that Vim will remove some of the grunge (but not the discoloration).

[Callipygous]

Just a crazy thought, but baking soda is often used to absorb odors. Maybe a box of Baking soda inside the computer box will work. Or putting the bare case in a tray of the stuff?

[ApolloBoy]

A better way to get rid of that horrible cigarette smell is to clean the outside of the system with rubbing alcohol. I tried it with my 7800, and it no longer reeks of cigarettes (except near the air vents).

[classics]

Strangely enough, you can get rid of some sunburn on Atari cases.

 

You have to use a chemical to remove the outer layer of the plastic. Just under the surface it will be a much lighter color, though not perfect unless you remove quite a bit.

 

A rag with a xylene mixture like Goof-Off will disolve the plastic with some rubbing. Wear breathing gear and gloves though, its very nasty stuff.

[Mindfield]

If you know someone in the printing biz, ask him to give you a little rubber rejuvinator. It's pretty well pure toluene, and that stuff will definitely strip plastic. I've seen it eat styrofoam cups in under a minute.

 

However, it's an order of magnitude nastier than anything with xylene in it, so breathing gear and lots of ventilation are a definite must.

[Gregory DG]

The XEGS is probably the EASIEST Atari to open and clean. Here are my suggestions for cleaning your system.

 

http://www.ataritimes.com/features/fea_cle...nyouratari.html

[JB]

Doubt it'd cut the smoker grime, but I cleaned my yellowed SNES with just rubbing alcohol and a cloth(with q-tips for the hard-to-reach places).

[Mindfield]

I haven't got the patience to wait for alcohol to work when I get something that's particularily grimy, so I'll reach for something with a little more chutzpah like lighter fluid or a little bit of solvent. Case yellowing from tobacco is fairly easy to remove with stuff like that, but oxydation takes even more muscle.

[JB]

I haven't got the patience to wait for alcohol to work when I get something that's particularily grimy, so I'll reach for something with a little more chutzpah like lighter fluid or a little bit of solvent.  Case yellowing from tobacco is fairly easy to remove with stuff like that, but oxydation takes even more muscle.

Mine was only lightly yellowed, and I already had the rubbing alcohol out from a cart cleaning session.

[Curt Vendel]

Hello,

 

I got a 130XE and a XEGS from Ebay but they definitely come from a heavy smoker. Because the XE line is grey / beige, they're not as forgiving with smoke as the XL line. Has anyone of you ever cleaned up a "yellowed" XE system and got good results ?  And, if yes, what product did you use ?

 

AB.

 

 

There nothing to remove, the plastic has actually changed colors, the only way to fix the problem is to order a replacement case from B&C or Best.

 

I see this mostly in Sun exposure or a desk lamp near the equipment, yes I have seen equipment with nicotine/tar residue build up but the real culprit is usually strong light exposure over long periods of time. However another issue is also heat it seems...

 

I ran a BBS (Bulletin Board System) pre-Internet days.... for several years and I had 4 810's stacked 2 by 2 for many months until I managed to score a Corvus 10mb HD system.... when I moved the equipment around I found the backs of the 810's (never exposed to ANY light as they were in a desk hutch right out of the boxes) had all yellowed on the top backs, so I believe this was due to 24/7 heat from the boards inside and poor ventilation. So heat can be a factor as well...

 

Bottom line is there is little cosmetically you can do once the yellowing/discoloring occurs except replace the plastic(s) or consider spraying on a coat of primer and repainting the cases.

 

 

Curt