[R-390] Benchmark - R390A odd-ball cleaning and lubrication

[Tisha Hayes]

What would really help would be a heated ultrasonic cleaning tank. Of
course, when dealing with flammable or combustible materials you need to
make certain that the flash point temperature is not exceeded and you have
adequate fume control.

I would set the thing up in the yard and run it outside. It is amazing what
an ultrasonic cleaner will do for some of the gear packs like the clutch
mechanism that is usually filled with 40 year old grease.

With any water based cleaning solution you need to be aware of
electro-galvanic corrosion due to dissimilar metals. Some solvents react
badly with alkali earth metals (aluminum) and others react badly with lead
(some of the trichloro... solutions).

Light oils like kerosine, mineral spirits, etc.. are usually inert to the
metal but may take time to soften and remove built up deposits. I have used
"white gas" (Stoddard Solvent, Coleman fuel) as a cleaning solvent. It is
not as volatile as gasoline (that has lots of light ends and additives) and
a little more aggressive than kerosene. Usually I put the parts in a sealed
container with the solvent and shake the container around.

The bad rap that Simple Green had came from a few instances where it was
used in too strong of a concentration and the residues were allowed to build
up in an enclosed space. Then you will get corrosion or a strong reaction
due to dissimilar metals. (note: even changing the temper of a metal by
drilling, heating or bending can cause a local electrgalvanic reaction
between that area and another section on the same part.

-- 
Ms. Tisha Hayes/ AA4HA
----------------
"I'll be a diode, cathode, electrode
Overload, generator, oscillator
Make a circuit with me." -- The Polecats