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How to fix Vinegar Syndrome on NEC Supertwist LCD from 1986

M

MGaddict

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Nov 25, 2017
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DC area
I have been working on restoring an original 1986 NEC Multispeed. I have 1 piece left to the puzzle... The LCD panel appears to be melted. Somebody on Facebook said it looked like vinegar syndrome. Sure enough, it does reak of vinegar, but the question is, how do I fix it? I have tried to look at many videos and tried to read posts, but this isn't the polarizer on the front of the display. It appears to be the reflection polarizer behind the LCD.
Furthermore, I may have already completely destroyed this thing out of ignorance.

Basically, I thought that by twisting each of the metal clips around the side, the metal shroud would come off. I was wrong. The panel appears to be glued to this, or it's been in place for so many years that it's bonded together.
I very cautiously pealed open the layers between the actual panel and the circuit board and then thought, O NO!. 1st, the melting appears to be on this rear reflective layer. That's obviously not just polarizing film and that's what I guess I need to replace. I can't fully separate the back and front because of what appears to be a pressed ribbon cable attaching them. I then realized that the white strips down the sides are actually connectors that were aligned to the board which I've now just separated. What are the odds those will ever line up again?

So now I ask, is it safe to try to separate these 2 layers? Is there a commercial product I can buy to replace the reflective last layer? I'm guessing the polarizer deteriorated and has melted the reflective layer.
I am not an engineer. I have only ever replaced bad panels. I've replaced backlights before. But never tried to peal away parts of the LCD.

inside lcd2.jpg

I don't think I can make the images small enough to be of any use on here so I've provided a link to the Facebook posting I made.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/vintagecomputerswapmeet/permalink/3514839171925103/
 
This post is currently awaiting approval by the moderators of r/retrobattlestations before it can appear in the subreddit.
Click to expand...
Slightly off-topic but my recommendation is you keep to this forum. We don't bite as much when it comes to moderation, plus we can immediately see your post here. ;)
Also, use a photo host like imgur if you aren't looking for a permanent host.

On topic, does the rear diffuser not peel off?
 
I haven't tried to peal anything off yet.
I did clamp it back together and thankfully it still works. It looks like the rear reflector is ruined.
inside lcd2.jpg

If you look closely at it working, you can see the damage is behind the crystal layer, like the reflection layer is melted.
front on lcd 2.jpg
 
The LCD panel itself is two pieces of glass sandwiched together, the white film that's deteriorating is the reflective layer and just serves to make the image inside the LCD panel more visible. You can buy sheets of this reflective film: https://www.amazon.com/SIMIHUI-high-Bright-Reflective-Motorcycle-200mm30mm10pcs/dp/B07YB32K11

To remove the damaged film, I'd recommend a sharp utility knife blade and a hair dryer or heat gun. Use the hair dryer or heat gun to heat up the panel to soften the glue, just don't get the panel too hot. Start at a corner of the panel and wedge the blade between the glass panel and the reflective film to separate the film and start peeling. It'll work much the same way as this video replacing the polarizing layer on a Gameboy screen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgVgu5Suw44
 
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