[Hallicrafters] Cats and Tars

[TC Dailey]

Aughhh!  The cat should be "Terminated with extreme prejudice" as the
"Company" boys used to say in sunny Viet Nam..

Urea in general is an alkalid, thus one neutralizes it with an acid...
easiest to locate is acetic acid... i.e. vinegar.  Remove the valves, stick
tape "rounds" over the tube sockets, and wet the area down with vinegar...
let it soak, then wash it off with water, MANY MANY, MANY times.  Allow to
dry, then sprinkle with ordinary talcum powder (absorbs all the moisture and
leftover un-neutralized compounds.  Take it outside, and blow it out with an
air compressor (loosen with a throwaway brush, then repeat)..  Cat pee is
tough stuff to clean up, and generally, it's nearly impossible to remove ALL
of it.

Removal of tar from radios... I remove all the knobs (drop 'em in a cup with
hot water and a good concentration of dishwashing liquid), then spray an old
toothbrush with WINDEX.  Vigorously scrub the surface with the toothbrush,
refreshing the WINDEX as it becomes dry.  Let stand for a bit, then wipe off
with a piece of skivvy shirt... sorry, for you LandLubbers, that's a
t-shirt.  NOW... Dip the shirt in the dishwashing liquid, and wash the
WINDEX off of the panel, and dry again... works great.  Oh, and take the
toothbrush, and scrub the knobs with it.. rinse 'em, and blow out the water
from inside the knob (and setscrew).  Dry, and replace... they look brand
new.

Sometimes you must put some PLEDGE on your fingers, and rub the knobs around
in your hands/fingers, afterwards.... keeps them (especially National) from
turning white.

Tom - WØEAJ - ZUT AR