[Test-Equipment] Re: Test-EquipmentV40#5 - Removing old foam GOO

[Phil Barnes-Roberts WA6DZS]

test-equipment-request at mailman.qth.net opined  on 8/14/2007 1:03 AM:

> J Forster <jfor at quik.com> Suggested:

> Scott Townley wrote:
It came to me in the original plastic case, which is a
>> bummer...because all of the foam is well-and-truly stuck to the
>> Extension.  What is the best solvent to use to get that gunk off?
> 
> Try rubber cement thinner (heptane) in a well ventilated area. It's very
> flammable.
> Best,
> -John
> 
>> TIA,
>>
>> Scott Townley NX7U
>> Gilbert, AZ  DM43di
>> mailto:nx7u at arrl.net
>> http://members.cox.net/nx7u

...Heptane, or Naphtha, or Lighter Fluid (for your old Zippo!)

Also, you might try products like Goof-Off, Goo-Gone (label removers, 
also petroleum distillates); or Mineral Spirits (paint thinner from the 
hardware/paint store) to remove residue of this twenty-thirty year-old foam.

First, with any solvent, try a dab on a remote corner of the device, to 
see if it will mess up the paint job.  Most HP gear should be 
well-enough finished to resist these solvents.  Also check the plastic 
case for sensitivity.

A safer alternative (though it may involve more elbow grease) is 
IsoPropyl Alcohol (IPA) - you should be able to find 91% and 99% IPA at 
the drugstore.  The 70% IPA sold as 'Rubbing Alcohol' also has some skin 
emollients/oils in it, which in this application, might be just fine.

They are _all_ flammable, so again, _well_-ventilated area.  Gloves and 
hand-washing are also in order; poisonous/carcinogen properties.

When you've got the old foam goo and adhesive off (often on a backing 
layer of double-faced 'supervisor' interface tape) you might try (as 
I've had to) some of the slick, stiff white foam found packed around 
computer drives or VCRs, as a replacement nest for the equipment. 
Anybody seen lore on the long-term survivability of this stuff?  Elmer's 
or more supervisor tape can glue it into the box, and should be fairly 
innocuous.

That old powered carving knife (the one that only comes out at 
Thanksgiving) is _the_ best tool for carving blocks of foam for packing. 
  You can get straight cuts with a little practice, better and with less 
mess than any X-Acto hacking will ever yield.

Let us know how it works out for you!
--
73 Phil Barnes-Roberts WA6DZS  | Mailto:wa6dzs at arrl dot net
Opinions:  Cash value $0.02, not redeemable for merchandise
"Where There's Smoke... There May Be Mirrors!"