[Hallicrafters] Cabinet Cleaning

[Barry Hauser]

 "paulk" <paulk01 at bigpond.com> writes:
> Ray,
> nice to see some product names at last that I recognise!
> Paul (also in Australia)

Well, that's one that I don't recognize (recognise), heh heh.  I guess
you have different brands down under than we do here, uh ... up over?

I suspect "Nifty" is similar to our Fantastic, Formula 409, and clones
thereof.  The ingredients vary, but many of these are ionizing cleaners
and or "butyl" cleaners.  This stuff is available in very high
concentrations from professional cleaning supply distributors.  One brand
is called BH-38.  I thought the manufacturer was Spartan Chemicals, but I
found this page for the same product and it indicates a German
manufacturer on what looks like a South African distributor's site:. 
http://www.ebcis.co.za/reinol/6.html.  Here's a Spartan page on it
http://www.spartanchemical.com/web/webhome.nsf/Search?OpenFrameset  Maybe
the manufacture is licensed?  The stuff is so strong, you have to use
gloves and it must be diluted.

These are often very effective cleaners, but can dull paint and certain
plastics, as well as bakelite.  They should not be allowed to get into
porous surfaces, particularly insulators like ceramic and phenolic board.
 

I have found it best to start with the mildest, most commonplace cleaner
available -- bar soap.  Not fancy stuff with deoderants and detergents. 
I suspect Ivory bar soap is available nearly everywhere, or it's
equivalent.  It's just a stearate soap.  I would not trust the same brand
in a liquid dishwashing cleaner.  They often have detergents and may have
some butyl ingredient.

The thing is, we often bypass regular ol' soap grabbing for something
more potent.  I've found that some of the harsher cleaners can leave some
soil that cleans up easily with plain old soapy water, which does little
in the way of collateral damage.  It's the first thing to try with
bakelite knobs.  (If they are dull, you can polish them with a metal
cleaner like Brasso, or get that special plastic polish.)

GoJo (waterless hand cleaner) can provide good results, though I wouldn't
use it on a cabinet or panel that I planned to repaint.  Be careful when
you go to buy that stuff -- most versions of it contain pumice or some
abrasive these days.  You want the plain version.

I also use WD-40, but again, on surfaces I don't plan to paint.  It's
fairly kind to plastics and silk-screened lettering, but leaves an oily,
waxy residue which you have to keep polishing out or it will hold dust. 
Good as a finishing touch after cleaning the chassis, to suppress further
oxidation.

So, bottom line, before you start to clean the cabinet, panel or knobs,
go to the bathroom (loo?), heh heh -- and borrow that thing in the
soapdish -- providing it's not a detergent/deodorant soap or contains
pumice (like "Lava").  If that's not good enough, then you can escalate
the attack with the next strongest cleaner.

Barry



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ray Poularas <poularas at ozemail.com.au>
> To: k1ike at snet.net <k1ike at snet.net>; hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
> <hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net>
> Date: Sunday, February 16, 2003 9:53 PM
> Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Cabinet Cleaning
> 
> 
> >Hello All,
> >I use the following method to clean up all of my cases on the 
> radio's we
> >restore over here in Australia.
> >Please note once the paint has worn through the only option is to
> >repaint it but if it just has oxide on the outer layer of the paint 
> this
> >cleaning method works well..
> >Firstly I use a product called Nifty.. It is a spray and wipe 
> kitchen
> >bench cleaner that has very good degreaser properties.. To test 
> you
> >cleaner place some between your fingers and if you feel it has a
> >slippery feel it is a good chance that it has disolved the fat and
> >grease from you fingers.. It will do the same to your radio.. It is 
> also
> >very good for cleening the build up on those Halli Knobs.. Yuck..!
> >It removes old smoke stains with ease..
> >Once the radio case is clean and dry I apply a nice heavy coat of 
> WD-40
> >spray and allow to soak in over night.
> >This does wonders to restore the shine to a paint surface and 
> removes
> >any oxide buildup.
> >It may take two or three applications but you will notice that it
> >revives the paint.
> >Once you are done with this you can use a Auto wax to finish the 
> job Non
> >Silicone of course..
> >I find that the WD will usually do the trick without the wax.. but 
> it is
> >up to the individual...
> >WD is about 90% kerosene so if you don't have any WD, Kerosene will 
> do a
> >similar job for you..
> >Regards
> >Ray Poularas
> >See my Halli Station at
> >www.tuberadio.com
> >
> >Hello to all,
> >
> >I have an SX-99 that is in very nice condition except for some 
> scuff
> >marks on the top.  The paint is not removed, but has lost it's 
> shine in
> >a couple of spots.  What is the best product to use to try and 
> restore
> >the shine?
> >
> >Thanks,
> >
> >73, Joe, K1ike
> >
> >
> >All outgoing email scanned with Norton AntiVirus2003.
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF **for assistance**
> >dfischer at usol.com
> >----
> >Hallicrafters Collectors International: http://www.w9wze.org
> >----
> >http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hallicrafters
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF **for assistance**
> >dfischer at usol.com
> >----
> >Hallicrafters Collectors International: http://www.w9wze.org
> >----
> >http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hallicrafters
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF **for assistance**
> dfischer at usol.com
> ----
> Hallicrafters Collectors International: http://www.w9wze.org
> ----
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hallicrafters
> 
> 

________________________________________________________________
Sign Up for Juno Platinum Internet Access Today
Only $9.95 per month!
Visit www.juno.com