Keep Vintage Computer acquisition "dirty"?

This is a serious question even though whenever I get a vintage computer, I spend the first day with it cleaning it from inside out. In most cases, I will also remove labels and previous identification marks if from a school or other institution.

Does anyone actually leave it dirty?

I ask because of the "Antiques Roadshow" effect. It seems that whenever I acquire a vintage computer, it is dirty and dusty and most times I don't understand why the original owner didn't, at the least, pass a damp rag over the exterior.

Does anyone think that there should be a "dirt patena" on this equipment to preserve the evidence of usage? I don't personally think so but I'm just curious if anyone thinks otherwise?

I think computers are largely in the same category as cars. I wouldn't expect anyone to demand a dirty engine. I would draw the line at repainting or altering the exterior but I think a good cleaning is desirable.

If I know that the beige underneath the dirt has turned dark orange, I'll leave the dirt to conceal it.

Can't stand dirt, non factory stickers and markings. When I get a machine I strip it down looking for anything broken or not supposed to be there. Wash everything , dry it, then put it back together and install OS as needed. If rust is an issue I will paint the affected areas (maybe the bottom of the internal case if is was rusty).

I rarely paint anything unless it really needs it (rust will keep getting worse). Last thing I painted was a color computer external floppy drive that had the top cover badly rusted. I have the underside of a Compaq P166 tower I need to sand some more and paint silver. One of my Gateway full tower 486's need the cover painted.

It is surprising to me how some systems I get in that looks so nasty clean up to look almost brand new when I am done with them.

Never tried to retrobrite anything, not sure I would bother (well except for maybe my A4000 desktop plastic face). Vinyl dye might be a better idea for that.

The whole reason collectors of anything (coins, cars, computers, etc) don't like people "cleaning" things is because some people are idiots and will ruin stuff. Same reason I get nervous when people with no clue open things up to test and fix them or worse to strip a drive from it. If you ever seen a Mac SE/30 that was pried open by a gorilla you know what I mean.

I don't usually leave it dirty, but often do leave on distinguishing marks or stickers.
Machines that arrive with rust, also get to keep that too.

I do however refuse to wash my 1980's oscilloscope I rescued from a garbage dump. If it was clean it'd look like boring junk.
Being dirty and with tape hang off it - it looks like some old warhorse that refuses to die. I don't want to spoil it's awesomeness.

I can see if a machine's dirt happens to give it "character", then one might want to keep it as-is.

But for me "dirt" can cause problems for my allergies, or just make a bigger mess.

I just got done cleaning a dirt-filled rust-bucket I bought off of eBeh. (I'll post more on that some other time) The dirt was some kind of gritty automotive soot that was getting everywhere. A good bath and scrubbing later, it has been upgraded from "rust-bucket" to "just a bit beat up". It is now something I would not mind displaying and showing to other people.

Since all the systems I am likely to want are adversely affected by dirt, I will give them a gentle cleaning. Computers have value when able to run. Value of cleanliness should be more akin to the scrubbed look of antique cars than the coated patina of art.

Depends on the machine. I'll clean of the usual grime and dust it out but stuff like scuffs and yellowing I don't hassle with either because it's a PAIN to remove or the removal process is either toxic or unreliable.

Don't know 'bout the outside but inside she's staying clean. Runs cool and trouble-free. No other alternative!

Would definitely clean the exterior and remove non-factory stickers etc unless they either have something interesting about them, or it's not possible to remove them without trace.

Inside, normally only a vacuum is needed. I can't understand washing PCBs etc, that's just asking for things to break.
I will normally clean floppy heads as a matter of course, and replace PSU fans with modern quiet replacements if their bearings are noisy (they usually are). I look for obviously failed caps and check the voltage rails are within reasonable tolerance, but I wouldn't replace any without reason.

I believe that the non-factory stickers are part of the history of the object, and provide traceability. If the object is valuable they may provide some provenance that the object is old and not a reconstruction using old dated components. I would usually leave them in place.

g4ugm said:

I believe that the non-factory stickers are part of the history of the object, and provide traceability. If the object is valuable they may provide some provenance that the object is old and not a reconstruction using old dated components. I would usually leave them in place.

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I agree. I started doing this later with stickers of prominence like an IBM inventory tag on an IBM device or an asset tag from an ivy league school. The smaller institution asset tags I usually remove.

bjt said:

Would definitely clean the exterior and remove non-factory stickers etc unless they either have something interesting about them, or it's not possible to remove them without trace.

Inside, normally only a vacuum is needed. I can't understand washing PCBs etc, that's just asking for things to break.
I will normally clean floppy heads as a matter of course, and replace PSU fans with modern quiet replacements if their bearings are noisy (they usually are). I look for obviously failed caps and check the voltage rails are within reasonable tolerance, but I wouldn't replace any without reason.

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Ditto! I always clean mine Inside and out, One thing i absolutely hate with a vengeance though is rust in a computer, I've lost count of the cases I've binned over the years because of rust, I have washed a few PCB's in the past but they would have to be badly contaminated to necessitate washing.
Not vintage but only last week i rescued an IBM 300GL that was being thrown out, It's rust free and only needed a light cleaning and works perfectly

I always disassemble and clean inside and out. Some of the power supplies I've opened up would be fire hazards without a good clean out. I always wash plastic cases, I'm amazed at the different this makes. Using a mild scourer sponge removes many marks that simple washing won't remove. Plus it's fun to take things apart that you've never taken apart before. I've had many comments from people that say I get stuff in amazing condition. Well I don't, they just end up looking like that.

Always clean inside\out however I do leave stickers and such on. Stickers give it character, whether it be an asset tag or a garfield sticker someone shoved on in the 80s.

I always give my new acquisitions a really good clean...often inside as well as out if needs be. I don't like looking at or handling anything grimy or dusty. Stickers though, I tend to leave on.

Tez

For me, nothing comes inside until it's cleaned! I rarely take anything trashed that is not worth the effort vs. its value. I ask myself, if I work on this for three hours could I sell it with reasonable effort and break even?

My goal is preservation, so I focus first to stabilize the system from further decay. If there is anything beyond hope I remove it like a tooth with a cavity, and save the remaining parts that are usable. Sometimes I use working original parts to switch out after-market parts. Other times I use after market parts for testing to avoid rare originals from being over used. Example. . I use after-market commodore power bricks for every day use and originals for exhibits.

B

The level of cleaning depends on whether the filth is from use, or because of poor storage practices. I like to leave property tags and other stickers on some acquisitions because they tell the story behind the life of the pc.

For me it depends on what it is and the nature of the dirt/stickers.

For computers and peripherals, I clean them inside and out, but I'll leave stickers that provide useful reference or historical character, such as calibration info, PAT tests, and asset labels from interesting companies.

I de-rust and re-paint things that are particularly nasty, with the exception of my Creed 7E teleprinter, which has quite a nice patina to it.

Dirt is never a bonus. Occasionally a stylish sticker, representative of the era, could be a plus.

For dark orange-ing, try Fantastic. It won't take the yellowing off, but the dark orange, almost brown bacteria or whatever the heck it is comes off readily.

I keep bringing this up, but no one so much as comments. I placed a warm ceramic coffee mug on top of a Tandy 2000 once. It was yellowed. It left an egg-shell whitish ring! Anyone care to delve into the chemistry/physics of that??? Figure if you had a big enough coffee mug w/an electric heating appurtenance, who needs Retrobrite!!