[Boatanchors] Cleaning Agents

[Al Parker]

Hi Tommy,
    I've been enjoying working on the first AR-88 I've had the pleasure of
getting intimate with.  You can take a look at my efforts at:
http://www.boatanchors.org/AR88.htm
    I've done a lot of work on SP-600's and R-388's lately, thie AR-88 is
different in some ways, similar in some.  It's about a decade earlier in
design & manufacture, but so far as I've been, it is close in comparison,
with each having it's own outstanding features.  You are extra fortunate
to have 3 of them.
    All that said, cleaning was the topic.  I'm a bit surprised to not
have seen some opinions of others already, I'll put some of my thoughts
out for an airing.  I've been wondering just how far I should go in
cleaning my AR-88.  I do not usually take the "make it all shiney" route,
that can lead to something more shiney clean than when it originally left
the assembly plant, and can look un-natural.  I avoid the use of invasive
chemicals, most of them can get into crevices and cause future, if not
immediate, corrosion.  I do occasionally remove IF, etc., cans and at
least clean them well, sometimes even polish them.  The chassis rarely
gets more than plain water with hand dishwashing soap, maybe with Murphy's
Oil Soap.  This all get well rinsed with distilled water.  Rusty spots on
steel chassi, or corrosion spots on aluminum chassi may get spot
treatments with a wire brush or fiberglass brush, usually followed up with
a swab treatment over the whole chassis surface with a dilute mixture of
naptha and oil.  The naptha evaporates soon, leaving a very slight film of
oil to retard future oxidation.
    So, there're some thoughts, others may agree, disagree, provide
alternates, etc.  Your mileage may vary.
    Enjoy your AR-88(s).
73,
Al, W8UT
New Bern, NC
BoatAnchors appreciated here
http://www.boatanchors.org
http://www.hammarlund.info


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tommy" <malti7388 at yahoo.com>
To: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2006 11:13 AM
Subject: [Boatanchors] Cleaning Agents


> Hi all
> I have  three AR88 rx, all need a good clean up from
> oxidisation of aluminium cans, chassis etc.
> Anyone has an idea which chemicals or household stuff
> is ideal to clean safely ?
>
>