[Boatanchors] Cleaning radio chassis

[Mike McCarthy, W1NR]

I use general DW detergent with no "additives" like plain vanilla Cascade.
It is designed to not leave residue on dishes, so it rinses very clean and
dissolves or loosens almost anything organic.  One thing I noticed doing
aluminum pans is that "Cascade Complete" turns aluminum grey.  I wouldn't
want to use that on a radio chassis.

You need to keep it out of PTO's and IF transformers and anything made of
paper that is not wax impregnated.  Either remove them or tape over the
holes.  Ferrite's don't like water!  Baking the rig in the oven removes
water quickly before things have a chance to oxidize.  Then you need to
lubricate as needed with a syringe or spot lubricator.  Tubes should be
removed as the printing will come off in the wash.  I use 99.8% Isopropyl
and carefully clean tubes and try not to remove the printing.

I have used the dishwasher method on the most dirty of radios, especially
where a lot of dust has attached itself to the components under a chassis.
It works real well to remove grunge that is in places where a brush won't
get at.


 ----Original Message-----
From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gerry Steffens
Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2005 12:54 PM
To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Cleaning radio chassis


>Like others, I have used solvents like Simple Green and sprayed some water
around to clean it off to remove the residuals.  I am intrigued by the
dishwasher solution.  Maybe one to be tested on a junker.  In this method
does one use regular, somewhat acidic dishwasher detergent, something else,
or nothing?