Cleaning Equipment exposed to tobacco smoke
 

I recently acquired a nice 1950 shortwave receiver but has been exposed to a
tobacco smoker during it's existance.
Anyone have good method of removing the film without damaging decals on
front panel?

Tnx...Norm VE3CZI

Cleaning Equipment exposed to tobacco smoke
 

Norm VE3CZI wrote:
I recently acquired a nice 1950 shortwave receiver but has been exposed to a
tobacco smoker during it's existance.
Anyone have good method of removing the film without damaging decals on
front panel?

Tnx...Norm VE3CZI


Hi Norm

I suspect the "decals" are more likely to be screen printed with paint
rather than hobbyist water transfers unless they are on the back of a
glass dial. If so, you can probably use the standard method of surface
cleaning electical equipment, methylated spirits. You might like to
check a small spot of paint first.

Simon

Cleaning Equipment exposed to tobacco smoke
 

On Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:56:14 -0400, Norm VE3CZI wrote:

I recently acquired a nice 1950 shortwave receiver but has been exposed
to a tobacco smoker during it's existance. Anyone have good method of
removing the film without damaging decals on front panel?

Tnx...Norm VE3CZI

Ive always had good luck removing smoke film with 409.
Spray on, let sit for several seconds, then wipe away or blot with paper
towel. It wont eat paint or silk screening.

As with any restoration, try a test patch somewhere first, like on the
back or side near the bottom.

Cleaning Equipment exposed to tobacco smoke
 

"Simon" wrote in message
...
Norm VE3CZI wrote:
I recently acquired a nice 1950 shortwave receiver but
has been exposed to a tobacco smoker during it's
existance.
Anyone have good method of removing the film without
damaging decals on front panel?

Tnx...Norm VE3CZI


Hi Norm

I suspect the "decals" are more likely to be screen
printed with paint rather than hobbyist water transfers
unless they are on the back of a glass dial. If so, you
can probably use the standard method of surface cleaning
electical equipment, methylated spirits. You might like to
check a small spot of paint first.

Simon

I think it would be safer to try a solution of
dishwashing detergent in warm water first. This is
surprizingly effective and safe for most materials. Next up
would be a household cleaner like Formula 409. Any solvent
should be tested using a cotton swab on a spot that isn't
too visible. Rubbing alcohol may also work and is safe for
most paints and materials (but not cellulose nitrate or
acetate both often used for old dials and dial windows).


--
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA

Cleaning Equipment exposed to tobacco smoke
 

Norm VE3CZI wrote:
I recently acquired a nice 1950 shortwave receiver but has been exposed to a
tobacco smoker during it's existance.
Anyone have good method of removing the film without damaging decals on
front panel?

Tnx...Norm VE3CZI



I'll second the motion of others with the use of 409 or Fantastic. Where
I do NOT use these cleaners is on the inner frequency calibration dials
of most equipment. For these, I use warm water and perhaps a bit of
diluted dish detergent. Another step I use is to wax the front panel
with Turtle Wax to get a uniform finish. Do this before reinstalling
all the knobs. For wrinkle cabinets, etc., Armour All does quite well.

de K3HVG

Cleaning Equipment exposed to tobacco smoke
 

Norm VE3CZI wrote:
I recently acquired a nice 1950 shortwave receiver but has been exposed to a
tobacco smoker during it's existance.
Anyone have good method of removing the film without damaging decals on
front panel?

Depends what the decals are.

Ammonia will remove a lot of tobacco smoke, and it's very easy on most panel
surfaces.

Formula 409 is a lot more effective. It will be fine on silkscreened paint
although it can take some lettering off so try it on a small corner first.
I have used it to turn broadcast equipment from bright orange to white. It
is very powerful stuff and you should be careful with it. It will etch
bakelite, by the way.

Another solution is to take up smoking, especially cigars. Then soon all
your equipment will match.
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Cleaning Equipment exposed to tobacco smoke
 

Scott Dorsey wrote:
Norm VE3CZI wrote:
I recently acquired a nice 1950 shortwave receiver but has been exposed to a
tobacco smoker during it's existance.
Anyone have good method of removing the film without damaging decals on
front panel?

Depends what the decals are.

Ammonia will remove a lot of tobacco smoke, and it's very easy on most panel
surfaces.

Formula 409 is a lot more effective. It will be fine on silkscreened paint
although it can take some lettering off so try it on a small corner first.
I have used it to turn broadcast equipment from bright orange to white. It
is very powerful stuff and you should be careful with it. It will etch
bakelite, by the way.

Another solution is to take up smoking, especially cigars. Then soon all
your equipment will match.
--scott


Does anyone know what Formula 409 consists of as it is not in my
supermarket or chemistry book? Is it just a local product in one country
or maybe it is just acetone, alcohol or methylated spirits under a fancy
name?

Thanks for any help.

Simon

Cleaning Equipment exposed to tobacco smoke
 

Simon wrote:

Does anyone know what Formula 409 consists of as it is not in my
supermarket or chemistry book? Is it just a local product in one country
or maybe it is just acetone, alcohol or methylated spirits under a fancy
name?


From the MSDS for 409.

-Chuck

================================================== =========================
Ingredients/Identity Information
================================================== =========================
Proprietary: NO
Ingredient: 2-BUTOXYETHANOL (ETHYLENEGLYCOL MONOBUTYL ETHER), BUTYL
CELLOSOLVE, BUTYL GLYCOL, GLYCOL ETHER EB
Ingredient Sequence Number: 01
Percent: 0.5-5
NIOSH (RTECS) Number: KJ8575000
CAS Number: 111-76-2
OSHA PEL: 50 PPM (SKIN)
ACGIH TLV: 25 PPM (SKIN)
Other Recommended Limit: 25 PPM (SKIN)
-------------------------------------
Proprietary: NO
Ingredient: ETHYLENE OXIDE (SUSPECTED 2A HUMAN CARCINOGEN BY IARC;
CONFIRMED ANIMAL CARINOGEN BY IARC & NTP)
Ingredient Sequence Number: 02
Percent: TRACE
NIOSH (RTECS) Number: KX2450000
CAS Number: 75-21-8
ACGIH TLV: 1.8 MG/CUM (A2)
-------------------------------------
Proprietary: NO
Ingredient: GLYCOL ETHERS, DIETHYLENE GLYCOL, 2,2-OXYBISETHANOL
Ingredient Sequence Number: 03
Percent: 10
NIOSH (RTECS) Number: ID5950000
CAS Number: 111-46-6
-------------------------------------
Proprietary: NO
Ingredient: MAGNESIUM SODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE *92-2*
Ingredient Sequence Number: 04
Percent: 1
NIOSH (RTECS) Number: 1007734MS
CAS Number: 14402-88-1
-------------------------------------
Proprietary: NO
Ingredient: SODIUM HYDROXIDE, CAUSTIC SODA, LYE
Ingredient Sequence Number: 05
Percent: 0.5
NIOSH (RTECS) Number: WB4900000
CAS Number: 1310-73-2
OSHA PEL: 2 MG/CUM
ACGIH TLV: 2 MG/CUM CEILING
Other Recommended Limit: 2MG/M3 CEILING NIOSH

Cleaning Equipment exposed to tobacco smoke
 

One thing, from the ingredient list I posted earlier is Formula 409
contains Butyl Cellosolve. This is terrible stuff on plastics. It is
what turns clear plastic molded meter windows foggy. I would not use
Formula 409, or any other cleaner that contains Butyl Cellosolve on
plastics of any sort. The stuff soaks into the plastic and makes it
sticky and soft... sort of a plasticizer.

-Chuck Harris

Cleaning Equipment exposed to tobacco smoke
 

Simon wrote:
Does anyone know what Formula 409 consists of as it is not in my
supermarket or chemistry book? Is it just a local product in one country
or maybe it is just acetone, alcohol or methylated spirits under a fancy
name?

It's 2-butoxyethanol, with a little soap and water and a pH buffer to keep it
alkaline. In the US, you can buy commercial degreasers with much higher
2-butoxyethanol content (Ace Hardware sells something by the gallon that is
almost half 2-butoxyethanol), but 409 is plenty strong.

It's a good solvent for anything greasy or oily.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Cleaning Equipment exposed to tobacco smoke
 

Chuck Harris wrote:
One thing, from the ingredient list I posted earlier is Formula 409
contains Butyl Cellosolve. This is terrible stuff on plastics. It is
what turns clear plastic molded meter windows foggy. I would not use
Formula 409, or any other cleaner that contains Butyl Cellosolve on
plastics of any sort. The stuff soaks into the plastic and makes it
sticky and soft... sort of a plasticizer.

It's fine on most plastics. It's a disaster on others, most notably
phenolics. It will etch the hell out of bakelite and leave you an ugly
dull surface. Test before using.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Cleaning Equipment exposed to tobacco smoke
 

Scott Dorsey wrote:
Chuck Harris wrote:
One thing, from the ingredient list I posted earlier is Formula 409
contains Butyl Cellosolve. This is terrible stuff on plastics. It is
what turns clear plastic molded meter windows foggy. I would not use
Formula 409, or any other cleaner that contains Butyl Cellosolve on
plastics of any sort. The stuff soaks into the plastic and makes it
sticky and soft... sort of a plasticizer.

It's fine on most plastics. It's a disaster on others, most notably
phenolics. It will etch the hell out of bakelite and leave you an ugly
dull surface. Test before using.
--scott

Ford cars all come with warnings not to use cleaners containing
butyl cellosolve on, or around the instrument panel. They tell of the
damage they will cause to the speedometer window... And I have ignored the
warning with 409, and other glass cleaners, and fogged the dash windows.

I used to use 409 as a general cleaning agent on surplus test equipment,
until I started to notice that I was ending up with power cords that
became sticky, plastic tote handles that became sticky, and wrinkle paint
that became softened and sticky. All anecdotal evidence, I know, but
much of this equipment survived 20 years before my cleaning them with
409 without these failures occurring.

Butyl cellosolve is used because it is an incredible penetrating agent.
It burrows deeply into grease and grime, and softens it so that normal
detergents can wash it away. It also does this to many plastics and
rubbers. I believe that clear plastics that are polystyrene based are
particularly affected by 409.

If you do use 409, always rinse it away with water, never just spray
and wipe, as the manufacturer recommends.

Isopropyl alcohol is a great solvent for cleaning, but it too can cause
problems with some plastics. Never leave acrylics soaking in isopropyl,
as it will cause them to form deep cracks without ever softening the
plastic.

-Chuck

Cleaning Equipment exposed to tobacco smoke
 

Scott Dorsey wrote:

It's 2-butoxyethanol, with a little soap and water and a pH buffer to keep it
alkaline. In the US, you can buy commercial degreasers with much higher
2-butoxyethanol content (Ace Hardware sells something by the gallon that is
almost half 2-butoxyethanol), but 409 is plenty strong.

It's a good solvent for anything greasy or oily.
--scott
Scott and others

Thanks for the info - sounds fine for greasy metalwork but not plastics,
paint or rubber.

Simon

Cleaning Equipment exposed to tobacco smoke
 

"Simon" wrote in message
...
Scott Dorsey wrote:

It's 2-butoxyethanol, with a little soap and water and a
pH buffer to keep it
alkaline. In the US, you can buy commercial degreasers
with much higher 2-butoxyethanol content (Ace Hardware
sells something by the gallon that is almost half
2-butoxyethanol), but 409 is plenty strong.

It's a good solvent for anything greasy or oily.
--scott
Scott and others

Thanks for the info - sounds fine for greasy metalwork but
not plastics, paint or rubber.

Simon

Again liquid diswashing detergent works well and is
pretty harmless. It should remove tobacco residue but may
need some time or several treatments.


--
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA

Cleaning Equipment exposed to tobacco smoke
 

Thank You One & All for your many suggestions.
Will evaluate them all and sincerly appreciate your taking the time to offer
your suggestions.
I've got more than ONE old unit to restore...seems to be a passion lately,
after 40 years in Amateur Radio! Guess I have to use all the tubes I've
accumulated Hi!
73....Norm VE3CZI

"K3HVG" wrote in message
...
Norm VE3CZI wrote:
I recently acquired a nice 1950 shortwave receiver but has been exposed
to a tobacco smoker during it's existance.
Anyone have good method of removing the film without damaging decals on
front panel?

Tnx...Norm VE3CZI



I'll second the motion of others with the use of 409 or Fantastic. Where I
do NOT use these cleaners is on the inner frequency calibration dials of
most equipment. For these, I use warm water and perhaps a bit of diluted
dish detergent. Another step I use is to wax the front panel with Turtle
Wax to get a uniform finish. Do this before reinstalling all the knobs.
For wrinkle cabinets, etc., Armour All does quite well.

de K3HVG

Cleaning Equipment exposed to tobacco smoke
 

THE BEST I HAVE EVER FOUND IS "GO-JOE" OR SIMILAR SUGAR BEET BASED HAND
CLEANER. IT WON'T HURT ANYTHING, ITS SUPERB FOR CLEANING WRINKLE OR
SIMILIAR FINISHES TOO. IT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT WAS USED IN AN
AIRLINE AVIONICS LAB WERE I WORKED SOME 45 YEARS AGO. WAOABI



CHECK MY WEBSITE: www.dialcover.com
Bill Turner, excuse caps, short answers, stroke.