I have an Omnibot 2000 that I am considering restoring. I've been doing research on retrobrite so I would like to clarify one thing.

The retrobrite wiki recommends using hydrogen peroxide in a 10% to 15% concentration. The stuff in pharmacies and drug stores that is labeled "hydrogen peroxide" is typically only a 3% concentration, which is why it may not have worked well. "40 volume developer" is just the name hairstylists use for 12% hydrogen peroxide. Here is a good reference I found:

http://www.using-hydrogen-peroxide.com/hairdressing-peroxide.html

So I'm not sure it's accurate to say retrobrite does not work well. It does, but you have to use a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide than is commonly available under that name. One place to get it is from a hairstylist, but in hairstylist lingo it is called "40 volume liquid developer", presumably because women would freak out if they thought they were getting "hydrogen peroxide" on their hair

The reason why retro bright does not work well is because the hydrogen peroxide evaporates from the developer over time and becomes less effective , also in direct sunlight the liquid can completely evaporate. So you generally want to keep the surface of parts wet with fresh solutions. After trying different methods I found direct sunlight and apply the solution every 45 minutes yielded the fastest results.

Did you use the gel formulation? (with xantham gum and glycerin?) I was thinking of going with that but I've yet to gather all the ingredients (plus, it's been fairly cloudy lately)

What was your experience in disassembling the Omnibot? I'm a bit wary in doing so; I don't want to end up with a bright and shiny, but non-functional robot

from what i found out that retobrite works better then the hair salon developer,but only if you use 40% hyrodogen peroxide hair salon i need to add more then a few times and other little less only problem is making it or buying all ready made,but making will save you money

Fred, AS I said before, the Green Cleaner from your local walmart or kmart will do the job. You want the one that is made from orange peelings. When I was working as a technician, we used it all the time and we got computers in that were horribly stained from smoke and kitchen grease. A little green cleaner on them, and they like they just came off of the assembly line. I don't know the Exact name, but if you check around I am sure that you will find it.

Mel

OK, the one I use is called BIO-GreenClean. It is $65 a gal. But,a gallon last a long time because you only use a teaspoon or two to make 32 oz of cleaner. You can buy it Ready to use for $14 per 32 oz. It goes a long long way. They are also products called SIMPLE GREEN. The trick is to find one made with orange peelings. You apply it, let it set for about a minute and wipe it off. Everything looks like new. It is BIO-degradable and is all natural and smells fresh and clean. No harmful chemicals, just orange peels.

I have used it for over 20 years.

My boss had a man that came door to door and sold it. it was $65 a gal. But, my boss hassled him down to only $8 a gal. It lasted for years using it every day on the workbench. That was a while back, so it might be more now.

Mel

i tried it doesnt do a great job,compare to retrobrite it cleans it great,but not the yellowing

http://www.amazon.com/Bio-Green-Clean-Ready-Use/dp/B0032JUMUO/ref=pd_sim_lg_1

thats the one i got while back,use alot trying to get the yellow out,it does a little but still can see it

Yellowing is ultraviolet degradation of the plastics surface , it is not simply a stain that can be washed off with a cleaner. I realize some of these bots are really dirty. I put all my bots parts in the dish washer. To answer the guys question about taking them apart. It's easy , just keep plastic bags , a camera and sharpie available. There are small parts you want to save for when you put it back together.