[Hallicrafters] Cleaning an SX-28

[Julian Bunn]

I can't agree with the "no water" advice. The use of water is absolutely 
fine as long as
you don't leave the radio submerged in it. The water is around for a 
short time, and
then dried off. This is a time- tested method of cleaning old equipment, 
and is the
recommended way advised for vintage Tektronix scopes, for example. If the
components in our radios were so easily damaged by water then the 
humidity of
the air over many years would kill them.

Just my 2c.

Julian

Mike Everette wrote:
> --- john <johnmb at nc.rr.com> wrote:
>
>   
>> All of this blasting, spraying  and hosing 
>> convinces me, that many more 
>> radios are destroyed by "restoring" than by
>> neglect....
>>
>> John K5MO
>>
>>     
>
> I could not agree more!
>
> There is no substitute for several things:
>
> 1.  ELBOW GREASE
>
> 2.  PATIENCE
>
> 3.  SKILL
>
> The first thing is easy to get.  The next two take
> time, and the third is begat by the second.
>
> There is no "quick fix," no "instant gratification" in
> this business.  Trying to get such will result in many
> more otherwise fine radios ending up being parted out
> on eBay by people who got in over their heads.
>
> In my opinion, water should NEVER be used to "clean" a
> radio.  What are you thinking?  Water penetrates
> insulation.  Moisture destroys components like tubular
> ceramic capacitors, carbon resistors... not to mention
> power transformers and other "iron."  Moisture seeps
> into porous switches, coil forms, and wiring
> harnesses.  Where do you think all that rust came
> from?  MOISTURE.  And you're going to put MORE
> moisture in there, to "clean" it?  
>
> In my opinion: Tres-stupid.
>
> The proper way to clean a radio -- it sure works for
> me -- is to use air or a vacuum to get the dirt out;
> then CLEAN by scrubbing it with cotton swabs and
> penetrating oil.  The oil removes corrosion and
> polishes at the same time.  It woll also break up
> surface rust, to a degree.  You might have to use a
> wire brush to get rid of all of the rust.  DO NOT use
> steel wool on a chassis.  That stuff will disintegrate
> and leave tiny fibers all over the radio, so that when
> you power it up, Snap-Crackle-Pop --  Sizzle!  Yes,
> all this is HARD WORK.  It takes TIME.  
>
> And be aware, that many times a "restoration" is
> actually a "rebuild."  Work one component at a time. 
> Make lots of notes, draw lots of pictures.  Check your
> work twice, before and after you replace a part.
>
> BE WARNED:  If you haven't ever restored a radio
> before, you really have no business starting out with
> an SX-28, or even worse, an SX-42.  They are not easy.
>  I seriously doubt that they were ever intended to be
> repaired beyond a very basic level.  But they CAN be
> done, IF you have the patience and skill.
>
> And for heaven's sake -- DO NOT EVER try to clean a
> dial with water or any other kind of liquid!  You WILL
> be sorry.  
>
> If you don't have patience and skill at "SX-28 level,"
> then go find an S-20R or S-40 or SX-99 and do that
> first.  If you are really new to this, get an
> acey-deucey All American Five and do that before the
> S-20R, S-40 or SX-99.  If you aren't wanting to do
> these things, I'll offer to buy your SX-28 before you
> make a mess of it.
>
> 73
>
> Mike
> WA4DLF
>
>
>
>        
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