Discolored Trackball

[brained]

Hi fellow members, I'm finally rebuilding my cab, and I have a little issue with my trackball. My trackball was stored in a box for almost 8 years and now I'm going to install it in my cab. The issue here is that the trackball has lost its white color and has some areas that are not actually white, but kinda brownish.

I would like to clean it or at least try to hide the discolorations as much as possible. Have you ever guys had cleaned a trackball in order to even up its color?.

[Furry131]

Try a magic eraser. Seems to get most stuff off.  Worst case you can pick them up on eBay pretty cheap as well as most arcade sites.

[brained]

This is the discoloration I'm talking about.... do you have any suggestions besides magic eraser. I've tried bleach, but it didn't work, maybe I didn't leave the trackball long enough.

[drventure]

There are some various formulas floating around the net for restoring color to discolored plastics. Most trackballs are acrylic (not sure about that one though) so they might not work.

The question is is it discolored or gunk on the ball? gunk can be cleaned, discoloration though...

Might be worthwhile to just have a look around ebay for a new replacement ball.

[Nephasth]

Might be worthwhile to just have a look around ebay for a new replacement ball.

Griff's got one for $17 shipped: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,130679.0.html

[yaksplat]

I saw something before that people were using to clean discolored legos.  That may work as well. Try searching down that route.

[Nephasth]

Retr0bright maybe?

And a thread on DIY retrobrite: http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/175732-retrobrite-questions/
Seems peroxide and oxi-clean are the preferred substances.

[brained]

Retr0bright maybe?

And a thread on DIY retrobrite: http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/175732-retrobrite-questions/
Seems peroxide and oxi-clean are the preferred substances.

Hmmm... I'll give it a try with peroxide , I'll let you know

[brained]

Might be worthwhile to just have a look around ebay for a new replacement ball.

Griff's got one for $17 shipped: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,130679.0.html

Its pretty good, but I don't want to spend cash in that right now

[selfie]

On most hard plastics the discolouration will polish out with a metal polish and a rag. Test a spot with a rag and some, don't laugh, toothpaste.

[Mario]

I cleaned my trackball with auto polish. I don't recall it being discolored; it was mostly just dirty. I don't think it would hurt to try it, though.

Mario

[harveybirdman]

Beavis your balls are filthy! Get over to that ball washer, now.

[WindDrake]

http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/

Unbeatable for taking the yellow out of plastics.