Sun bleaching, also known as sun fading or yellowing, is where plastic has been chemically damaged from being left in the sun, or has slowly absorbed UV rays over time, turning the plastic different colors. The colors it changes to are dependent on the make-up of the type of plastic, but generally stays in the same range. White will turn yellow. It is well-known in vintage or otherwise old toys to experience sun bleaching. Both the fur and the face plastic of a Furby can be affected, however only the faceplate, beak, eyes is considered fixable. Ironically, reversing the effects of sun bleaching involves using the sun.
Plastic Aging
Different parts of a Furby often yellow or sun-damage at different rates because they are made from different types of plastic. The faceplate is usually made from ABS plastic, which is more prone to UV damage and yellowing, while the eyelids and some eye parts are made from softer, more UV-resistant plastics. However, due to manufacturing differences, impurities or uneven exposure, the reverse can sometimes happen, with eyelids or small areas of the eyes yellowing instead.
Results[]
Depending on the Furby you can experience color loss, discoloring etc. Some include:
- Yellowed faceplates, usually turning orange-ish
- Whitened fur
- Discolored fur, eg pink turning orange.
Fix your Furby with Retrobrite[]
Retrobrite (or Retr0bright) is a whitening technique used to restore yellowed or sun-damaged plastic, especially on vintage electronics. It typically involves applying hydrogen peroxide gel and exposing the plastic to UV light or sunlight to reverse discoloration caused by oxidation.
You will need:
- Hydrogen peroxide 3%-6%
- A paintbrush or a container
- The sun (or special UV emitter)
- Patience
The hydrogen peroxide uses the UV rays from the sun to chemically reverse the sun bleaching. Hydrogen peroxide is the active ingredient in Oxi Clean and 40 Volume Creme Developer so these are also suitable.
The amount of time the conversion will take depends on how intense the sun will be. It will take longer if it is cloudy. You may also put the Furby at a window instead of outside. The conversion can take 2 days to 2 weeks.
Furbys with pink, red, or purple parts on them may need to be looked at more closely as these colors have been documented to have issues in other toys, though may not apply to Furbys at all.
Method one:
- Place your Furby in the sun. You may also want to remove the eye chips. Apply hydrogen peroxide with a paintbrush over the affected areas once every one or two hours. Make sure to move your Furby to be facing the sun as the sun moves.
Method two:
- Completely remove the affected parts from the Furby. Fill a container of hydrogen peroxide so it will be high enough to cover the affected parts. Leave this container in the sun with the parts inside (a lid is recommended).
Method three:
- This follows the same process as Method Two, but instead of applying hydrogen peroxide directly to the parts, you place them in a sealed container, place on a platform above the peroxide and let the fumes do the bleaching. This method is believed to provide a more even result than the previous two.
Method Four:
- In this method, hydrogen peroxide is heated to approximately 50°C in a saucepan, acting as a catalyst to accelerate the whitening process. However, it can take several hours at this temperature to achieve results.
Retrobright Container Materials[]
| Material | UV Transmission | Chemical Resistance | Suitability for Retrobrighting | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glass | 🌞 Excellent | 🧪 Excellent | ✅ Ideal | Best UV pass; fragile and heavy |
| Polypropylene (PP) | 🌤️ Moderate | 🧪 Excellent | 👍 Good | Clear thin storage bins work well |
| Polyethylene (PE) | 🌤️ Moderate | 🧪 Excellent | 👍 Good | Milk jugs, flexible bins, safe |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | 🌑 Poor | ⚡ Poor (reacts with peroxide) | 🚫 Bad | Blocks UV, can crack and break |
| Acrylic (PMMA) | 🌑 Poor | 🧪 Good | 🚫 Poor | Looks clear but blocks UV |
| PVC | 🌑 Very Poor | ⚡ Poor | ☠️ Very Bad | Reacts dangerously with peroxide |
Gallery[]
