A 10-year study indicates that treated surfaces turn yellow more severely than untreated plastic parts — retrobrighting does more harm than good to consoles
A 10-year study conducted by Tech Tangents on a Sega Dreamcast revealed that retrobrighting, a method used to reverse yellowing on plastic parts, actually damages the surfaces more than leaving them untreated. The YouTuber experimented with different techniques like hydrogen peroxide treatment and sous vide methods, but none fully restored the original color of the console. Despite temporary improvements, retrobrighting led to streaking and blotching on the plastic, ultimately harming the material. The study suggests that leaving the plastic parts untouched may be more beneficial for their longevity than attempting to reverse the aging process.
Tom's Hardware•