Omar Khalid
Retro colours are colour palettes influenced by colour trends from the 1920s to the 1980s. These colours are typically warmer, less bright, and more muted, often derived from secondary colours like tangerine oranges, teal blues, and apple greens. Retro colours have been making a comeback in recent years, with their popularity seen in architecture, typography, furniture, and fashion. Interestingly, when it comes to retro plastic, old gadgets tend to turn yellow due to a flame retardant called bromine in old ABS plastics. This yellowing can be reversed using a process called Retrobright, which involves applying a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and UV light to the plastic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for retro plastic turning yellow | Exposure to UV light or excessive heat, causing photo-oxidation of polymers that break polymer chains |
| Flame retardant chemical | Bromine |
| Process to reverse yellowing | Retrobright (or retr0bright) |
| Retrobright composition | Hydrogen peroxide, small amount of TAED (a laundry booster), and a source of UV |
| Other methods | Hydrogen peroxide-based hair bleaching creams, soapy water, and toothbrush |
| Retro colors | Tangerine oranges, teal blues, apple greens, creams, yellow-browns, pale peach, pastel colors, pink, sherbert, moss-green |
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What You'll Learn
- Retro colours are influenced by colour trends from the 1920s to 1980s
- Retro colours are non-confrontational and add a laid-back charm to spaces
- Old plastic turns yellow due to exposure to UV light and heat
- Retrobright is a hydrogen peroxide-based solution to remove yellowing from plastic
- Retrobrighting very light plastic pieces can restore their original white colour
Retro colours are influenced by colour trends from the 1920s to 1980s
The term "retro" refers to new objects that are influenced by trends, fashions, or ideas from the past. When it comes to colours, retro colours are inspired by the trends of the past, specifically from the 1920s to the 1980s.
The 1920s
The 1920s were a time of luxury, leisure, and adventure, with Art Deco influencing designers, artists, and architects across the Western world. This decade was characterised by bold and velvety colours such as yellow, gold, ultramarine, and cadmium red, which conveyed a sense of energy, wealth, and happiness.
The 1930s
In the 1930s, there was a mix of old and new influences. The opulence of the 1920s was reflected in saturated colours, adding punches of pattern and colour to rugs, chairs, and artwork. This decade also saw the popularity of bright-coloured, low-cost items like simple tiles, creating an on-trend look at an affordable price.
The 1940s
During the 1940s, due to the war, designers had to be creative, and plastic became a popular material as it was cheap and readily available. This decade saw a variety of colours, including pastel shades for walls, peach/orange for cupboards, light beige for countertops, and colourful ornaments and accessories.
The 1950s
The 1950s embraced playful pastel colours, colourful appliances, and bold tile patterns.
The 1960s
The 1960s introduced a mix of organic colours and bright curated hues, with soft, curved couches and chairs in bold colours like red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. This decade also saw the popularity of natural earth tones.
The 1970s
The 1970s colour palette was bold and eclectic, with a mix of earth tones and vibrant colours like orange and yellow. This decade was all about self-expression and breaking the rules, with unexpected colour pairings and bold coloured appliances in avocado green or harvest gold.
The 1980s
The 1980s saw a continuation of bright colours, with shades like cyan, red, purple, and yellow. This decade also featured mint, teal, turquoise, rose, peach, seafoam green, and bold geometric designs in red, white, black, yellow, and gold.
Retro colours are a celebration of the colour trends from these decades, often combining and reimagining these influences to create a unique and nostalgic look.
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Retro colours are non-confrontational and add a laid-back charm to spaces
Retro colours call back to times that seemed simpler, slower, and more down-to-earth. With the constant presence of screens and cooler colours in modern offices, stores, and homes, retro colours offer a friendly and calming retreat. They can bring a sense of fun and nostalgia to a space, whether it's through interior design or marketing. For example, retro colours work well in socially-oriented areas of the home, like entertainment rooms, home theatres, or home bars.
The term "retro" can evoke different images for different people. Some might imagine the groovy fashion of the 1960s, with pink knee-high boots and platform shoes. Others might think of colourful cars, lava lamps, or a yellow kitchen with plastic moss-green chairs. Despite these differences, most people associate retro colours with a sense of nostalgia and happiness.
Retro colours can also be influenced by the colour trends of specific decades, such as the warm and funky purples of the 1960s or the vibrant diner scenes of the 1950s. These vintage colour palettes, with their muted and grainy hues, can be a fun way to add a retro vibe to branding, logos, and social media graphics.
Additionally, the term "retro" is often associated with old plastic gadgets and toys that have turned yellow over time. This yellowing is caused by a flame retardant called bromine in old ABS plastics. While this yellowing is sometimes seen as undesirable, it has become a nostalgic reminder of retro gadgets for some people.
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Old plastic turns yellow due to exposure to UV light and heat
The retro colour palette is influenced by colour trends from the 1920s to the 1980s. These colours are usually warmer, less bright, and overall somewhat muted. However, old plastic items like computers, game consoles, and other gadgets from the 1980s often turn yellow due to exposure to UV light and heat.
UV light exposure initiates a chemical reaction in the polymer structure, causing the plastic to turn yellow over time. This process is called photo-oxidation, which breaks the polymer chains. Excessive heat can also cause this reaction, and other factors such as humidity, cold, and other extreme temperatures contribute to the discolouration. The change in colour does not happen immediately, but prolonged exposure to UV light accelerates the process.
Additionally, a flame retardant called bromine, found in old ABS plastics, contributes to the yellowing of plastic. When exposed to UV light, bromine molecules can destabilise and migrate to the plastic's surface, resulting in a yellow or brown discolouration. Modern plastics have improved formulations to prevent this issue.
The yellowing of old plastic items can be reversed using a process called Retrobright (stylized as Retr0bright or Retrobrite), which involves applying a hydrogen peroxide solution to the affected areas. While this method can restore the original colour, it may not be permanent as bromides can resurface over time. Moreover, the process may make the plastic more brittle and fragile.
To prevent plastic items from turning yellow, it is essential to store them away from direct sunlight and sources of heat. By understanding the chemical processes behind plastic degradation, manufacturers can develop new polymers or alternative materials that resist discolouration and prolong the lifespan of plastic products.
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Retrobright is a hydrogen peroxide-based solution to remove yellowing from plastic
The term "retro" in colour refers to colours influenced by trends from the 1920s to the 1980s. These colours are typically warmer, less bright, and muted. They are often secondary colours like tangerine oranges, teal blues, and apple greens, or neutrals like creams, yellows, and pale peach.
Retrobright (also known as retr0bright or Retrobrite) is a hydrogen peroxide-based solution used to remove yellowing from plastic. Old plastic, especially from the 80s, often turns yellow due to a flame retardant called bromine in ABS plastics. When exposed to UV light or excessive heat, the bromine molecules destabilize, causing the plastic to yellow and become brittle.
Retrobright consists of hydrogen peroxide, a small amount of ""active oxygen" laundry booster TAED as a catalyst, and a source of UV light or heat energy. The process involves cleaning the plastic thoroughly, soaking it in a hydrogen peroxide solution, and exposing it to UV light or heat. This method was discovered in 2007 and has been refined since. While it can effectively restore the original white colour of plastic, it is not permanent, as the bromides can resurface, and the process may make the plastic more fragile.
To perform the Retrobright process, it is recommended to cover any labels with tape to protect them and wear gloves and safety goggles. The plastic should be liberally covered with the Retrobright solution and wrapped in plastic wrap to avoid streaks. It is important to ensure that all parts of the plastic are covered in the solution and agitated to dissolve oxygen bubbles. The process can be done in sunlight or with a UV lamp, ensuring the temperature does not exceed 120ºF/50ºC to prevent the plastic from softening.
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Retrobrighting very light plastic pieces can restore their original white colour
Retrobrighting is a process that can be used to restore the original white colour of very light plastic pieces. Old plastic tends to turn yellow due to exposure to UV light or excessive heat, which causes photo-oxidation of polymers that break polymer chains. This process was first discovered in 2007 in a German retrocomputing forum and has since been refined.
The Retrobright process involves using a hydrogen peroxide-based solution to remove the yellowing from ABS plastics. The solution also contains a small amount of an "active oxygen" laundry booster called TAED, which acts as a catalyst, and a source of UV light. It is important to note that this process is not permanent, and the plastic may re-yellow over time, even if stored in the dark. Additionally, some people believe that the process can make the plastic more brittle and fragile.
When Retrobrighting, it is recommended to cover any labels with tape to protect them and avoid treating pieces with painted-on letters, as the solution can fade or damage them. The process involves liberally applying the solution to the yellowed plastic and exposing it to UV light. Some sources suggest using a DIY UV exposure unit or sunlight, while others recommend using a hair bleaching cream containing hydrogen peroxide. It is important to handle the solution carefully as it can be corrosive, and to protect oneself from the UV light.
Retrobrighting has been used to treat various old gadgets, such as computers, game consoles, and vintage RC car parts. It is also applicable to other retro restoration applications like classic and collectible sneaker restoration. While it may not be a perfect solution, Retrobrighting can be a great way to make your retro gadgets display-worthy again and bring back the charm of simpler times.
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Frequently asked questions
The retro plastic colour is called yellowing and it occurs when plastic is exposed to UV light or excessive heat, causing photo-oxidation of polymers that break polymer chains and lead to discolouration.
You can use a process called Retrobright (or retr0bright/Retrobrite) which involves applying a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, a small amount of laundry booster TAED, and a source of UV light to the affected plastic areas.
Retro plastic from older machines like the Nintendo SNES often contains a flame retardant called bromine. When exposed to UV light, bromine molecules can destabilise and rise to the surface, causing the plastic to turn yellow.
