[Hammarlund] Hammarlund SP-600

[Barry H]

Hi Warren & list

Best to leave the MFP coating alone.  First -- it's is virtually impossible to dissolve with any safe or practical solvent.  That means mechanical removal and that generally means abrasives.  The stuff is relatively safe left by itself.  Just brush or vacuum away any loose flakes -- if any.  Sanding will result in fine airborne particles.  MFP coating ingredients include mercury or mercury compounds -- you don't want to ingest or breathe in any of that, or get it into an open wound.  (but remember mercurichrome?  The stuff Mom used on you instead of iodine because it didn't sting -- go figure.)

You will have to remove MFP from solder joints before unsoldering components.  Use a sharp implement like a dental pick or small jeweler's screwdriver to crack it off in pieces.  It's some kind of varnish - not sure what kind of solvent would dissolve it.  When doing anything like this, be sure to clean up, thoroughly was hands -- keeep fingers out of eyes and other possible bodily orifices.

Another factor, while not pretty, that stuff has preserved the radio for more than half a decade.  The aluminum underneath may or may not have been anodized or alodined.  If you somehow remove it, you will probably take the anodizing/alodining with it and expose the aluminum to oxidation.  That's even less pretty.  

My advice -- leave it be.  As for lubrication -- follow Les Locklear's advice on that.  He knows a thing or three about SP-600's.

Barry







Warren wrote:

Good morning to the group. I am in the process of refurbishing a nice 
SP-600, that has been in military service. My questions are, What can I do 
about the anti-fungus coating on everything? It is very bad and needs to go. 
and my second question is under a dusty condition, would I be better off 
leaving all cam's and gears dry.

Thanks Warren 
_______________________________________________
List Administrator: Duane Fischer W8DBF
** For Assistance: dfischer at usol.com **
----
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hammarlund