[ARC5] T-18/ARC-5 schematic? And cleaning wrinkle paint?

[David Stinson]

I don't recommend attempting a complete rebuild.
The T-18 is not rare.  They surface fairly regularly.
IMHO, once the chassis is drilled, returning the set to original-
design functionality is more work than the value you will receive.
Unless the item is authentically rare, I no longer take-on such projects.
I don't have enough sand left in my hour glass for it.

IMHO, YMMV of course, I recommend taking a look at the
mods that have been done, fixing anything counter-productive
or which just doesn't work, install your own ideas and use it
as the ham rig it has now become.  An intact T-18 will come along.

 >...the cabinet is in very good condition and the black wrinkle
 >paint is also in good shape, but dusty and dirty.  And good
methods to cleaning the surface, and perhaps adding a bit
 >of shine to the paint so it looks like the unit just came
 >out of the box?

No amount of spraying with any cleaning product will get
all the nano-, molecular crud that is dulling your finish out
of black wrinkle.   A lot of cleaning products will make
you regret when you see, after a couple years, the
green corrosion around screw heads and ground contacts.
Just don't.  Trust me.
If it's really dirty, wash it with clean water and a soft brush,
getting as much as you can off that way.  Clean water
won't hurt your transmitter.  Powering it wet will hurt it,
so let it dry  well- like a couple of days.
If you're going to touch-up the paint, do it and let it dry/set
before the next steps.

Get a couple of those cheap "touch up" paint brushes
WallyWorld sells for a buck.  They have middling-stiff
bristles.  Brush (or wash) as much dirt off as you can.
Drip 3-n-1 oil on the finish.  You don't need to soak-
just enough that it will spread evenly.
Brush it into the wrinkle and keep brushing, gently scrubbing
it in until it looks "even" from multiple light angles.
Let it sit for an hour or so, then wipe away
any excess with a soft towel.  It will look nice and, as
long as you cover it to keep dust away, it will stay nice.

Somewhere in all this Signal Corps radio training literature
from WWII, using oil on black wrinkle this way is recommended.
Need to take the time to find that again.  So much paper...

GL OM ES 73 DE Dave AB5S