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Vintage Computers Any vintage computer systems, calculators, video games etc., but with an emphasis on 1980s and earlier equipment. |
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5th Sep 2018, 12:59 pm | #1 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Durham, County Durham, UK.
Posts: 3
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BBC Micro Security Ink Woes
Hello!
I have some BBC Microcomputer cases to restore for a friend. The problem we're having is that they have security ink back from the 80's when it would have been in schools. As you will be able to see in the link below, this is a mark for Shelford School, Nottinghamshire. Higher res image here but image attached to this post. I know that, by design, these aren't to come off, but I like to think there is a solution to (pretty much) every problem. This appears to be a rather sticky problem. Through my googling, I've not been able to really find out what this stuff is. This is obviously by design (or through my poor searching skills), but I think that if I knew what it was then I might be able to find something to break it down or let it go into solution. I have tried a number of solvents to even make the ink bleed - none of which have even touched the plastic of the ink. If anyone is able to shed any light on this, that would be great as I think it would be really cool to solve this (if it hasn't already been done so). Thanks a lot, Luke. |
5th Sep 2018, 3:14 pm | #2 |
Guest
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Re: BBC Micro Security Ink Woes
That ink was designed to dissolve the plastic when applied so it isn't removable without destroying the case finish. Any (probably hard to get hold of these days) solvent that dissolves the ink will also dissolve the case. You end up with a bluey/creamy smear. The only way is obliteration i.e. a respray (well a spray).
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5th Sep 2018, 3:41 pm | #3 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Durham, County Durham, UK.
Posts: 3
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Re: BBC Micro Security Ink Woes
That is a real shame. I did suspect that this was going to be the case but was being hopeful.
I'll take a look at what I can do about this situation and whether it will look rubbish or not. If I remember, I will update this post for the sake of posterity. Thanks a lot for your response. Luke |
5th Sep 2018, 3:45 pm | #4 |
Nonode
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Cambridge, Cambs. UK.
Posts: 2,198
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Re: BBC Micro Security Ink Woes
Judging by the postcode, that computer was used, not in Nottinghamshire, but by Shelford School, Cambridgeshire, a rather reputable primary school for pupils up to age 11.
That mark is part of the BBC Micro's Cambridge history. Back in the day, Acorn worked closely with Cambridge schools, introducing them to computers and at the same time developing their own educational software. You can be pretty sure that some of the erstwhile users of that computer are now leading lights in the technology companies of 'Silicon Fen'. Do you really need to remove the mark? Martin Martin
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5th Sep 2018, 4:29 pm | #5 |
Heptode
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Lincoln, Lincolnshire, UK.
Posts: 583
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Re: BBC Micro Security Ink Woes
In my view a mark like that is part of the history of the equipment, and (assuming the computer was not stolen at some point) in some ways adds to the attractivness.
As it appears a bit like a tatoo, maybe it can be obscured by selective colouring, but it would not be easy. Someone into airbrush artwork may have the answer. |
5th Sep 2018, 4:34 pm | #6 |
Administrator
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 9,072
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Re: BBC Micro Security Ink Woes
I would find a suitable sticker to apply over the security mark.
Or try to find a suitable colour car touch-up paint or Airfix model type paint to just paint over that area. Yes it will show but I don't think there is any other option. |
5th Sep 2018, 4:40 pm | #7 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 17,864
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Re: BBC Micro Security Ink Woes
I agree with the "leave it alone, it's part of its history" brigade.
A bit like the original registration plates and tax discs on a classic car IMHO. Nick. |
6th Sep 2018, 1:53 am | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Invercargill, New Zealand
Posts: 3,458
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Re: BBC Micro Security Ink Woes
I'd just leave it. Some of my Apple IIe gear has "Southland Hospital Board" stickers, while I have a Sord RGB monitor with a TVNZ asset number sticker. They're all staying, it's part of the history.
I also don't retrobrite equipment - just clean it up. Old plastic goes yellow, it's a fact of life, and I don't see the point in pretending an old Commodore is brand new! |
9th Sep 2018, 8:04 pm | #9 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Durham, County Durham, UK.
Posts: 3
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Re: BBC Micro Security Ink Woes
Ahh - responses. It sent me a notification about the first one, but none of the others. I guess I did something wrong.
So I fed the information back to my mate and basically advised the same, in the way of 'leave it'. The sad part of this though is that he refurbishes these and sells them on, but the ones with these marks on just don't sell. Unless he sells them at about £100 less, they just don't budge, which is why he came to me about it. The reason I came back to this post is to give an update. I wasn't able to find any kind of markings that would give away the composition of the case, but I guessed that it was some kind of polystyrene blend. With this, I made up a dilute acetone (50:50 water) mix, masked off the area and dabbed it on to the area. Immediately you could see that blue ink began to move into solution. I quickly, but carefully soaked up the ink into a paper towel and washed the area down. I did this twice and the results came out quite well, I think it's fair to say. It looks a little odd due to the fact that I now have a clean spot to deal with, but it's a work in progress. It is sad to destroy a bit of history, but in that state, it really was a dead duck and would have probably had its innard used as spares and then the case sent off to the tip. Sad, but true. |
10th Sep 2018, 11:25 am | #10 |
Administrator
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 9,072
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Re: BBC Micro Security Ink Woes
The notification says you won't get any more until you come back. It doesn't spam you very time.
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12th Sep 2018, 12:05 am | #11 |
Dekatron
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Invercargill, New Zealand
Posts: 3,458
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Re: BBC Micro Security Ink Woes
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17th Sep 2018, 7:35 pm | #13 |
Heptode
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Newton Abbot, Devon, UK.
Posts: 761
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Re: BBC Micro Security Ink Woes
Could always clean the rest of the case so it will match?
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