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IBM N51/SLC satin covering has turned sticky; any way to fix this?

keenerb

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2016
Messages
858
Location
Georgia, USA
I've received a working N51/SLC as a christmas present. The hard drive is in good condition with no bad sectors, floppy drive works fine, display is 100%.

The only gotcha is the satin finish on the computer itself has turned "sticky".

Any advice on how to fix this?
 
I've run across this on a couple of items--the thing looks and feels like someone has dunked it in rancid motor oil--which was peculiar, since one item in question was still new in the box. I cleaned the sticky goo off with a rag moistened in 99 percent IPA.

However, be aware that the sticky stuff is directly the result of the plastic degrading with age, which cannot be reversed. Eventually, it will become brittle. :(
 
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It's not gross, just slightly "tacky". I spot-tested one area with rubbing alcohol and it cleaned up quite nicely.
 
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