| Author |
Message |
    
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 780
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 11:16 am: | 
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I do old tube radio restorations now and then. Actually, I used to do a lot of them back in the days when I had a lot of time..
For scratches on meter covers and other clear plastic parts, try Star Brite step 2 plastic polish/Restorer. Available at West Marine. I will really rejuvinate old yellowed platic! It actually adds softness back to the material too.
For plastic cabinets, knobs and such, try Kleen Master Brillanize available from TAP Plastics. For general every day cleaning, I use Pledge furniture polish. Works great on all painted surfaces and finished wood.
Whatever you do, DO NOT Use windex or similar cleaners on silk screened parts! I have stripped silk screen off of things so many times I do not care to recall. When I restored my Teaberry tube type CB radio, I failed to realize the screening on the front panel had some oxydation. Sheets of the screening came off in a single wipe! ARGH! A friend of mine rescreened the front for me, so it had a happy ending, but not before some cussing. |
Keithinatlanta
Intermediate Member
Username: Keithinatlanta
Post Number: 314
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 10:25 pm: |
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Hey guys. THANKS for the cleaning tips.
Keith in Atlanta
CEF 150
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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 784
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 2:38 pm: |
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Yes, Star Brite removes all the yellowing. |
Crackerjack
Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 69
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 6:54 pm: |
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Carbon Tetrocloride -is what the Navy used until it was outlawed as insafe.
Vimegar.
Amonia. |
Dindin
Intermediate Member
Username: Dindin
Post Number: 276
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 7:13 pm: |
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The best cleaner I have used so far is Dawn Power Shot in a spray bottle found in the dish detergent aisle of your grocery.only used it on a couple radios and computer parts but have seen no ill effects.the way i have used it is to remove knobs,faceplate,etc and put them in a large ziploc bag,spray the cleaner in enough to soak all the parts good.after sitting about half hour remove and rinse under cold water.makes parts look like new again barring scratches. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 3039
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 7:40 pm: |
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Well, seeing as we have been doing Car Shows for many, many years now the products that I have found that does a GREAT JOB comes from Meguiars Products that I use to clean the Plastic Faceplates, SWR/WATT Meter Faces and Knobs on Radios.
Meguiars MIRROR GLAZE # 17 (Clear Plastic Cleaner)
Removes fine scratches from: Convertible windows, Helmet visors, Aircraft Windshields, CD's, Eyeglasses, Instrument Panels, Computer Screens, & ALL CLEAR PLASTICS.
The I use: Meguiars MIRROR GLAZE # 10 (Clear Plastic Polish)
Restores Optic quality to:
Convertible windows, Helmet visors, Aircraft Windshields, CD's, Eyeglasses, Instrument Panels, Computer Screens, & ALL CLEAR PLASTICS.
Then for touch up I use Meguiars MIRROR GLAZE # 18 in a Pump Spray bottle.
Non Flammable, Non Toxic, Anti Static, Biodegradable, Silcone free, & No VOC's.
And EASY to FIND AT AUTO PARTS STORES.
Hope this helps.
Lon
Tech808 |
Crackerjack
Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 74
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 8:56 pm: |
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Vicky says "Video Head Cleaner" |
Crackerjack
Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 84
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 23, 2004 - 8:05 pm: |
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The navy used it for decades for cleaning teletype and electronic parts.
I don't have a lot of nicotine around, but those little alcohol pads (I take insuline) or alcohol and swabs are what I use.
I bought a used RCI 2950 from a smoker and was never able to really clean up the stains off the keypad. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 799
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 3:38 pm: |
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I don't buy anything from a smoker, no matter how bad I want it. Nothing worse than being away for a while and coming home, opening the office door and being hit in the face with that smell.
The way cigarettes stain smokers' teeth, imagine what the inside of their lungs looks like. |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 93
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 9:05 am: |
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Try the Eucalyptus Oil - worked great on one radio owned by a smoker that I had to repair. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 801
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 1:53 pm: |
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Use flux remover to clean the boards. The flux remover comes in a spray can and cleans away all the nicotene and crud very quickly. It will also leave all the solder connections real shiny. It makes old circuit boards look brand new too.
Chem Rite makes a good one called 'Flux Clean NR'.. NR stands for 'Non Reactive'. |
Cuddlebear
Intermediate Member
Username: Cuddlebear
Post Number: 232
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 10:39 pm: |
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Hey Dindin,
I looked for everything in these postings. I couldn't find anything in this town. They don't even know what eucalyptus oil is around here. Walmart has nothing. They said they don't carry anything called Dawn Power Shot. The closest they have is something called Dawn power plus. Is this the same stuff? And is it safe for the radio and plastics such as monitors etc. |
Dindin
Intermediate Member
Username: Dindin
Post Number: 316
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 6:07 pm: |
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Cuddlebear,I just checked the kitchen and we're out of it right now.I'll pic up a bottle tomorrow and send a pic so you'll at least know what to look for(I'll keep this one stashed in the shop).I wouldnt think it is a reginal thing because I'm sure I seen it advertised on national tv.as for a flux remover most are 99.9% isopropyl alcohol,a common source for an equivelent is the NAPA auto store and ask for Thermal Aid part#7100,a gas line dryer.Our local napa stores also stock the Meguiars products.as for the Turtlewax cut-bac polish or an equivelent like Dupont #7 polish,be carful.they are ultra fine rubbing coumpounds and will remove some finishes with just a little use.the toughest one,eucalyptus oil I have seen in as i recall a specialty store.just cant remember where.The other Half says it was a health food store.hope this helps. |
Dindin
Intermediate Member
Username: Dindin
Post Number: 331
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 7:29 pm: |
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Cuddlebear,I was wrong,power shot is ajax brand.the Dawn is Power Dissolver.$2.57 for a 12oz spray bottle.
 |
Bc910
Junior Member
Username: Bc910
Post Number: 43
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 8:50 pm: |
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All I know is, at least on older Cobras and Unidens, don't rub that hard, the letters come off 
BC |
Cuddlebear
Intermediate Member
Username: Cuddlebear
Post Number: 241
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 4:35 am: |
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Yeah,
That's kinda what I'm a bit worried about as well. Hey Dindin, will this stuff mess up the letters etc? |
Dindin
Intermediate Member
Username: Dindin
Post Number: 332
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 5:59 pm: |
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Cuddlebear,the worst job I used it on was a real badly smoked and yellowed Cobra 2000 that was in a house fire.when I was done it looked like new.it didnt harm any of the lettering ,although it was already worn around the clairifier before the fire.the hardest part of cleaning that radio was getting the smoke smell from the wooden case.after several cleanings with T.S.P. and finally trying a drugstore product called Niloder the smoke smell was gone(incidently the 2000 was a freebie to me and the the cleaning chore paid off real good!) |
Cuddlebear
Intermediate Member
Username: Cuddlebear
Post Number: 244
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 7:35 pm: |
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ok Dindin.
Thanks 
I'll try it. |
