Vintage Computer Cleaning 101
by Claude Wilkin (Version 1.0 Sept. 2000)

This brief article deals with cleaning and restoring old computer cases and several of my own tricks and techniques I have develloped with time. I am not responsible for any damage you might do to any old or new computers you try this stuff on...I am sure you or I can come up with better ways of making an old computer look better...but here it goes...you can always write to me with comments...oh yeah and excuse the spelling mistakes, I am french...Pictures will come later...in the next updated version...

Ok, so you found this messy computer that you did not have in your collection...or simply found that computer you had back in High School and wanna make it shine like new...If you are like me, you can't stand a dirty computer entering your home or being added to your collection. So...

First, get this together : Clean long haired brush about an inch wide with 2 to 3 inch long brissles, some type of slightly abrasive cleaner like VIM(tm) or similar, some hot water with a small amount of dishwasing liquid, paper towels, compressed air is nice (I have a 10 gallon tank that I can fill to 120psi) , soft towel/rag and cotton swabs.

1st step for me is usually opening the case (power disconnected!) to look for any surprises (organic or inorganic) outside my house. Then, using the compress air to remove all the dust that has accumulated in there...That's old dust! Make sure you really check out where the power supply is and if there is a fan, the most "dust balls" should be there. While in there, look for loose cards, chips, connectors etc...Don't put the case back together, it will be easier to wash to case if taken apart...I do the same to most monitors (watch out for the HV!)

I always start by first cleaning the whole case "sections" and the keyboard with the towel and hot water that has a small amount of dishwasing liquid in it...If you are not using running hot water and a pan, just look at the water after a few wipes and rising of the rag...Yuk! Imagine all the dirt that was one that computer...

The color should start to look more uniform now. If it does not, well the case might have so yellowing due to UV exposure...or whatever reason...we will talk about this later...I don't use Amonia based cleaners because they are "rough" for no reason. Dishwashing liquid in hot water seems to have to the same grease-cutting/wow residue quality that amonia glass cleaners have and are just as good for this job. The fast that you use hot water also helps in drying and dissolves "hand-grease" from whoever used the computer before.

If the unit has any buttons that can be "pulled off" just take them off. They will be easier to wash and washing the case around the button holes will be easier...

Nooks and crannies...Okay, all the computer cases have these really tight areas where dirt and grease will accumulate. These are hard to reach...this is where the long haired brush comes in...Use a very slight amount of that hot water and dishwashing liquid and go into those hard to reach places and "fling the crap outta there"...This as worked well for me so many times, try it...You can also use the cotton swabs and compressed air for this but if it's "stuck there" the bursh is hard to beat...

After this if you still have scratch marks (dark) don't be discouraged. The slightly abrasive cleaner will usually remove a large amount of these with a little bit of rubbing. It's almost magic! I have found many computer with a ton of these "black scratches" that looked like hell and they looked fine after going all around them with the abrasive cleaner. If the scratch starts to fade, keep on rubbing...there is a good chance it will totally disappear. Just check if you are not removing too much of the paint if it's a metal case with some paint...if it's plastic, usually it will work just fine. Avoid using the abrasive stuff in the screen and where there is some "chrome lettering" or writing that looks like it will come off easily...I have used it on keyboard keys and have never managed to rub the letters off.

The abrasive stuff might leave a little bit of residue. Always rinse off after using a lot of it...

Last thing. If the case was beige and now looks yellow and nothing happens no matter how long and hard you wash, well...The case is probably gonna stay that way. I know of no method to bring the white back on these beige plastic cases. Supposedly it's a reaction from the UV's on the plastic. I also speculate that cigarette smoke (and whatever is in there - a zillion things) can get into the plastic as penetrate it. But that's just my crazy idea. If you know how to bring to white back (other then painting over) write to me to tell me how...

Voila! A clean smelling, no scuff mark vintage computer! Looks better, more fun when you try it out, more pleasant! Looks better in the collection and don't you just feel great?