[Boatanchors] CLEANING OLD RADIOS

[Carl]

I use Meguiars Plastic Cleaner and then the polish on Heath and other 
meter faces. The results are often an as new meter. Dont put Heath SB 
series cabinets in the dishwasher either unless you plan to repaint; 
some will survive and others wont. Heaths paint formulas were 
inconsistent and probably a lot was outsourced during their peak days.

Many dont like Tarn-X but Ive been using it for decades with no 
problems. Use a Q-Tip and a diluted solution to clean rotary switches. 
Follow up with Q-Tips in water and then blow dry. Use a magnifier and 
tweezers to remove any stray Q-Tip lint.

For stickers, Goo Gone, Goof Off, and Oops works great and doesnt attack 
knobs, paint, meter faces, etc as does acetone. For the real stubborn 
stickers lacquer thinner on a Q-Tip and a sharp plastic scraper such as 
used on a windshield is my preference. Always test a hidden spot first 
as behind a knob.

Carl
KM1H


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe B" <joe at tronixland.com>
To: "J Forster" <jfor at quik.com>; "Al Klase" <al at ar88.net>
Cc: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>; "K0DAN" <k0dan at comcast.net>
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 12:29 AM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] CLEANING OLD RADIOS


> Be extra careful cleaning chassis tops with water and water based 
> cleaners. Some IF transformers have mica compression capacitors built 
> into them right at the base of the transformer. For sure water will 
> wick it's way into these capacitors and will stay there even if you 
> think you got everything dried out. Once B+ is applied it will dry out 
> with very damaging results. Next task will be searching around for a 
> replacement IF can!
>
> Keep on hand a good arsenal of cleaning agents. You just need to 
> experiment and find what's best for your target crud. Even harsh 
> chemicals are acceptable like acetone to clean stubborn sticker 
> residue.  Just try it first on a sample area. Acetone will soften most 
> paints so beware. Windex is bad stuff on Heathkit green front panels. 
> It will dissolve the white lettering every time. A moist rag with a 
> little Dawn dish detergent followed by plain water and paper towels to 
> dry is best on green Heathkit front panels. But Windex is good on 
> glass and meter faces. Also good to remove the film left from cleaning 
> chassis and assemblies after using Simple Green etc.
>
> Joe, kf9eu
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "J Forster" <jfor at quik.com>
> To: "Al Klase" <al at ar88.net>
> Cc: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>; "K0DAN" <k0dan at comcast.net>
> Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 5:42 PM
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] CLEANING OLD RADIOS
>
>
>> Al Klase wrote:
>>
>>> [snip]  Water based products, especially aggressive ones, like 409 
>>> etc, are
>>> tough on things like bakelite and some paints.
>>
>> With Bakelite, I think the Fantastik or 409 removes oxidized plastic 
>> material from the
>> surface. That will buff up fine with a cloth wheel.  Whatever you 
>> use, it MUST be rinsed
>> very well (several times) with running water.
>>
>> Oh, and 409, Fantastik, and Windex will remove some printed tube 
>> markings. :=((
>>
>> Best,
>> -John
>>
>>> You also run the risk of
>>> leaving conductive stuff where you don't want it if used inside the
>>> set.  Ask anyone who's ever had a carbon track develop on a tube 
>>> socket,
>>> let alone a band switch.
>>>
>>> Try what ever you're using in an inconspicuous place first.
>>>
>>> Al
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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