[ARC5] [Milsurplus] Cleaning fine crackle paint

[Glen Zook via ARC5]

I do rinse with water, etc.  However, I have had absolutely no problems with this method and have been using it for decades.  But, one definitely does have to be very careful and make sure that things get cleaned up.  Also, as I said before, keep the solution away from i.f. transformers and such.  Basically, the solution is for things like the chassis itself, removable shields, and so forth.
As for the sticking ceramic trimmers in the Collins equipment:  I beg to differ about them getting stuck.  Frankly, they get stuck just sitting there with air pollution, etc., contributing as well as just plain heat from the tubes.  I have run into way too many stuck ceramic trimmers in equipment that have never been really cleaned (except, maybe, for an occasional dusting) with any chemicals, and such.  Now, I definitely do not use the solution on S-Lines, KWM-2- series, and other equipment that have ceramic trimmers exposed.  However, for most tube-type equipment, of the chassis type construction, the solution, if VERY carefully applied and cleaned properly works fine.  As for circuit boards, no!  There are much better methods that definitely work and that do not have the potential problems of the Formula 409 / ammonia solution.
Here is the method that I use when dealing with frozen ceramic trimmers like those used in the S-Line, KWM-2- series, etc.:
http://nebula.wsimg.com/b4593563b6cfc1734d3afe7affb48041?AccessKeyId=5DDC3F25F0398F58962E&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

I have been very successful in repairing the frozen ceramic trimmers. Glen, K9STH

Website: http://k9sth.net
      From: Bill Carns <wcarns at austin.rr.com>
 To: 'Glen Zook' <gzook at yahoo.com>; hwhall at compuserve.com; arc5 at mailman.qth.net; milsurplus at mailman.qth.net 
 Sent: Friday, April 17, 2015 10:24 AM
 Subject: RE: [Milsurplus] Cleaning fine crackle paint
   
#yiv3723105610 #yiv3723105610 -- _filtered #yiv3723105610 {font-family:Helvetica;panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;} _filtered #yiv3723105610 {panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;} _filtered #yiv3723105610 {font-family:Calibri;panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}#yiv3723105610 #yiv3723105610 p.yiv3723105610MsoNormal, #yiv3723105610 li.yiv3723105610MsoNormal, #yiv3723105610 div.yiv3723105610MsoNormal {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;}#yiv3723105610 a:link, #yiv3723105610 span.yiv3723105610MsoHyperlink {color:#0563C1;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv3723105610 a:visited, #yiv3723105610 span.yiv3723105610MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:#954F72;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv3723105610 span.yiv3723105610EmailStyle17 {color:#1F497D;}#yiv3723105610 .yiv3723105610MsoChpDefault {font-size:10.0pt;} _filtered #yiv3723105610 {margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}#yiv3723105610 div.yiv3723105610WordSection1 {}#yiv3723105610 No no no Glen.   I have to step in here. The Ammonia potentially leaves an active radical on the surface and just “cleaning with paper towels” will not completely remove it.  This WILL promote corrosion over a period of time in humid condition.  Whenever you use the 409/Ammonia clean, you must use a following flushing rinse followed by a mild surfactant clean to remove the remaining radical. Then rinse with DI water and dry thoroughly..  That is a process that is not practical around components on chassis. I do NOT use that clean ever on chassis parts. Any of that ammonia that creeps into IF cans or remains on the surface microscopically is real trouble downstream.  I have seen more radios cleaned improperly – including washing generally – that result in contaminants (either physical or chemical) being washed into hidden areas – including the little sandwich ceramic trimmers so common in Collins – that later result in corrosion or stuck slugs or trimmers.  People wonder why they are finding so many “stuck trimmers” on S-Lines.  As designed and built, there is no reason for them to ever stick.  What causes them to stick is the crap washed into them when people try and improperly clean an entire radio.  This kind of cleaning is often done by people that both do not know better and also want to make things look squeaky clean for a sale and do not have to live with the consequence years later.  Washing a radio lets contaminants wick into small crevices like transformer laminates and ceramic trimmer layers, never to be removed again.