A 10-year study indicates that treated surfaces turn yellow more severely than untreated plastic parts — retrobrighting does more harm than good to consoles

The Retrobrighting Gamble: A Decade-Long Retrospective on a Sega Dreamcast

The allure of restoring vintage consoles to their former glory is strong. Many enthusiasts turn to "retrobrighting," a chemical process aimed at reversing the yellowing that plagues aging plastics. However, a recent 10-year study casts a long shadow on the long-term effectiveness of this technique.

The study focused on a Sega Dreamcast console that had undergone retrobrighting. The results, after a decade, were less than ideal. The treated surfaces exhibited more severe yellowing compared to untreated plastic components.

This suggests that while retrobrighting might offer short-term cosmetic improvements, it could, in fact, accelerate the yellowing process over time. This is a significant consideration for collectors and anyone looking to preserve their classic hardware. While the immediate results of retrobrighting can be satisfying, this research suggests that in the long run, it may do more harm than good.

Consider the long-term consequences before reaching for the peroxide.

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