[Hallicrafters] Cleaning an SX-28

Mon May 28 18:06:52 EDT 2007

Hello,

Years ago, I was at Toby Hana army Depot picking up some equipment to 
escort to another base. I was at one section of the depot where they 
were refurbishing some Collins I think it was KWM-2's (Long time ago). 
The first step after removing the cover, S-Meter and a few other parts 
was to run it through a pressure washer, it was some type of hot soapy 
water. They were next blown dry and baked to finish drying them dry 
them. I do not think water when properly applied and dried/baked out 
will do damage. I have put lots of electronic parts  (including modules 
from a R-390 etc, etc.) into dishwashers and never destroyed anything.

Just My thoughts.

Best,
DW Holtman
WB7SSN

Julian Bunn wrote:
> 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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