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Subject: RE: [Homebrew_PCBs] Dyeing PCBs for a vintage look

From: "Brad" <unclefalter@...>
Date: 2016-11-16

Thanks Dwayne.  The phenolics I’ve looked at online (mostly ebay) are as you say, brown.  I’m curious how we arrive at a green color like the originals I have.

 

The color situation has been most frustrating – pictures are not reliable of course – on websites I see what looks like almost the exact color but in samples it’s completely wrong.

 

When you speak of dots and tape, you’re referring to prototype boards or production?

 

From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2016 9:41 AM
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Dyeing PCBs for a vintage look

 

 

Many of the old PCBs were made with phenolic PCB material.  The color varies between brown to various shades of beige.

You can still purchase bare (blank) copper-clad phenolic PCB material.

Another characteristic of old PCBs is that the layout is often done by hand, using crepe dots and crepe tape in various widths.  Even earlier layouts were strictly hand-drawn - no tape or dots.

dwayne


At 01:08 PM 11/12/2016, 'Brad' unclefalter@... [Homebrew_PCBs] wrote:

Hey guys,
 
I have recently heard of some methods of ‘dyeing’ PCBs to achieve coloration closer to what vintage PCB stock looked like.  I’m wondering if any of you have experience on this, what works, etc.
 
I recently acquired some original, untouched Mark-8 computer boards: http://bradhodge.ca/blog/?p=826
 
I’m hoping to use them to help create replicas.  But I just can’t get the PCB to look the way I want.  They look too modern.   I’ve heard dyeing can help, and that one can even fake the fab house marks somehow.
 
I’m surprised there isn’t a stock of vintage copper clad out there somewhere.  Seems to be vintage everything else these days in electronics..
 
Brad

 

--

Dwayne Reid   <dwayner@...>

Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd    Edmonton, AB, CANADA

780-489-3199 voice   780-487-6397 fax   888-489-3199 Toll Free

Custom Electronics Design and Manufacturing