Commodore 64 Restoration and new retrobrite technique.

The 8-Bit Guy・2 minutes read

The 8-bit guy is restoring a Commodore 64 computer donated by Edward Casati, facing cosmetic issues and a non-functioning keyboard, possibly due to a bad CI hm chip. The restoration process involves cleaning, 3D printing broken keys, and retro brightening, with significant improvement shown after the treatment.

Insights

  • The 8-bit guy is restoring a Commodore 64 computer donated by Edward Casati, addressing cosmetic issues, missing keys, and a non-functioning keyboard, requiring cleaning with glass cleaner, alcohol, baking soda, and a sanding attachment.
  • The restoration process includes 3D printing broken keys, handling the space bar and special spring separately, and utilizing a retro bright process involving hot water, hydrogen peroxide, and UV lights for three hours to significantly improve the object's appearance.

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Recent questions

  • How does the 8-bit guy restore a Commodore 64 computer?

    The 8-bit guy restores a Commodore 64 computer by first addressing cosmetic issues, missing keys, and non-functioning keyboard. He uses glass cleaner, alcohol, baking soda, and a sanding attachment for a Dremel to clean the computer. Broken keys are 3D printed and replaced after disassembling and cleaning the keyboard. The space bar and special spring are handled separately during the keyboard cleaning process.

  • What is the retro bright process for Commodore 64 case pieces?

    The retro bright process for Commodore 64 case pieces involves suspending the object in hot water with hydrogen peroxide under UV lights for three hours. Progress is checked every 30 minutes, with significant improvement shown after two hours. The weather conditions prevented retro brightening the case pieces, leading to the use of a heavy-duty UV light in a plastic crate from Target for the process.

  • How does the 8-bit guy handle melted spots on a Vic 1541 disc drive?

    The 8-bit guy handles melted spots on a Vic 1541 disc drive by smoothing them out using a sanding attachment and a razor knife. The disc drive has scuffs, dirt, and melted areas, possibly from a chemical reaction with cables. After the retro bright treatment, a minor difference is noted in the disc drive, followed by maintenance and reassembly.

  • What challenges did the 8-bit guy face with retro brightening methods?

    The 8-bit guy faced challenges with a previous retro bright method, leading to a desire for a new approach. A trip to Target was made to find a suitable crate for the retro bright process, aiming for reconfigurability for various object sizes. The individual also used a heavy-duty UV light to test the transparency of the chosen plastic crate to UVA light.

  • How does the 8-bit guy clean and repair broken keys on a Commodore 64 keyboard?

    The 8-bit guy cleans and repairs broken keys on a Commodore 64 keyboard by disassembling and cleaning the keyboard. Broken keys are 3D printed and replaced, with the space bar and special spring handled separately during the cleaning process. The keyboard is restored after addressing the missing keys and non-functioning parts.

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Summary

00:00

Restoring Commodore 64: A Detailed Process

  • The 8-bit guy is restoring a Commodore 64 computer, a first for him despite having restored other computers previously.
  • The Commodore 64 and Vic 1541 disc drive were donated by Edward Casati, who found them in a house he bought.
  • The Commodore 64 has cosmetic issues, missing keys, and a non-functioning keyboard, possibly due to a bad CI hm chip.
  • The Vic 1541 disc drive has scuffs, dirt, and melted areas, possibly from a chemical reaction with cables.
  • Cleaning the Commodore 64 and Vic 1541 involves using glass cleaner, alcohol, baking soda, and a sanding attachment for a Dremel.
  • The melted spots on the disc drive are smoothed out using a sanding attachment and a razor knife.
  • Broken keys on the Commodore 64 keyboard are 3D printed and replaced after disassembling and cleaning the keyboard.
  • The space bar and special spring are handled separately during the keyboard cleaning process.
  • The weather conditions prevent retro brightening the case pieces of the Commodore 64.
  • The light-colored patches on the driveway are caused by a tire shine product used on car tires, repelling water and creating the unique patterns.

15:52

"Retro Bright Method Revamp: Target Crate Success"

  • The individual faced challenges with a previous retro bright method, leading to a desire for a new approach.
  • A trip to Target was made to find a suitable crate for the retro bright process, aiming for reconfigurability for various object sizes.
  • A heavy-duty UV light was used to test the transparency of the chosen plastic crate to UVA light.
  • The retro bright process involved suspending the object in hot water with hydrogen peroxide under UV lights for three hours.
  • Progress was checked every 30 minutes, with the object showing significant improvement after two hours.
  • The restoration process extended to a disk drive, with a minor difference noted after retro bright treatment, followed by maintenance and reassembly.
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