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Hints, Tips and Solutions (Do NOT post requests for help here) If you have any useful general hints and tips for vintage technology repair and restoration, please share them here. PLEASE DO NOT POST REQUESTS FOR HELP HERE! |
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#1 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK.
Posts: 3,766
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I found using a glass fibre tip pen to clean the moving contacts on w/c switches very effective , a squirt of Servisol after works a treat! Mick.
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#2 |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Petersfield, Hampshire, UK.
Posts: 1,043
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Yes they are also very good at cleaning battery terminals
One thing does concern me though,that is the fine fibre bits which are left behind. They do agitate the skin so I guess one must be very careful to not inhale them ! |
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#3 |
Pentode
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Rossendale, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 141
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I've used these 'pens' for some time now, and I agree about them agitating the skin. I tend to wear gloves now, and a paper mask - (which to some may be extreme) when using them for that very reason. If it can make my skin feel like I've been peppered with glass, imagine what damage the fibres may do inside!
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#4 |
Pentode
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Rossendale, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 141
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I've used Servisol for years, but have just started test driving 'WD40 Specialist Fast Drying Contact Cleaner'. It was the only option at the time as my local shop I used to buy the Servisol from closed down, and I needed some contact cleaner quickly. It does work well, but seems to take a little longer to dry than I'm used to.
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#5 |
Octode
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: St Ives, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 1,180
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Most important, even imperative, to protect your eyes when using these glass fibre pens. Dip the ends in neat washing up liquid or other similiar viscous liquid to help stop the fibres flying all over the place.
Andrew
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#6 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Shropshire, UK.
Posts: 3,051
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I'm not sure I'd use washing up liquid, as it can be quite corrosive (same applies to washing cars).
I have a box containing heatshrink and stuff, including some fibreglass sleeving, and that irritates my hands whenever I rummage in it. I ought to bag the fibreglass really. |
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#7 |
Octode
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: St Ives, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 1,180
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Really? I'm most surprised. I've been using it to stop flying fibre glass for years as well as for it's intended use.
One way to make sure, plastic tub, selection of metals and some Fairy. Andrew
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Invisible airwaves crackle with life. Or they should do. BVWS Member |
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#8 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Oxfordshire, UK.
Posts: 4,935
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Wasn't aware of the eye hazards of fibreglass pens, but have never owned one. B
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Saturn V had 6 million pounds of fuel. It would take thirty thousand strong men to lift it an inch. |
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#9 | |
Octode
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: St Ives, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 1,180
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![]() The washing up liquid is used just on the end to prevent the fibres flying off, it's hardly sloshed around. I flush it and the fibres out from contact switches with something volatile anyway thus no corrosion. I suspect one could use Vaseline just as well. Or treacle. Anything but those flipping fibres in my fingers! Andrew
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Invisible airwaves crackle with life. Or they should do. BVWS Member |
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#10 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: near Reading (and sometimes Torquay)
Posts: 3,099
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To clarify the salt in detergent problem: this is done in domestic products to make them thicker, which is to give the impression that the product is stronger than it is. Shampoo is the worst example of this.
Industrial detergents or even just the stuff for adding to pressure washer machines is probably salt-free, as are some screen wash products. But check the conductivity! So if it is thick and gloopy it contains loads of salt. |
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#11 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK.
Posts: 3,766
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Now how did we get to Shampoo ! just clean the switch with the fibre pen flush out any bits of fibreglass ,job done! . Mick.
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#12 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Oxfordshire, UK.
Posts: 4,935
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I guess that a reasonable alternative to washing up liquid would be car wash liquid - hopefully, free of chloride (?) but nice and gloopy.
B
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Saturn V had 6 million pounds of fuel. It would take thirty thousand strong men to lift it an inch. |
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#13 |
Octode
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,234
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Deoxit, expensive but wonder stuff and you don't need as much as you would use when using servisol.
Gaz. |
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#14 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Oxfordshire, UK.
Posts: 4,935
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I've had some Deoxit D5 for some time, and I'm not at all sure about it, but others on the Forum have sung its praises previously.
B
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Saturn V had 6 million pounds of fuel. It would take thirty thousand strong men to lift it an inch. |
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#15 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 8,834
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Hmm. The Americans are always banging on about Deoxit on their forums. I always thought that it was pretty much the same product as 'our' Servisol contact cleaner. Has anyone used both and can offer a comparison of their effectiveness? - not being swayed by Deoxit's higher price of course! And what about the WD40 version, how does that compare to Servisol? It's very subjective I guess is the answer - unless one is clearly much better, and I would doubt that..
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#16 |
Nonode
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 2,181
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Careful- possibly plenty of ye olde transmission blokes on here with tales of woe on Servisol on the gain pots of 24 circuit amps. Gain was through NFB, and Servisol made the pots go HR, resulting in high gain and problems.
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#17 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 8,834
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I think the byword here when using any cleaning product on a vintage part is, 'go carefully'. Another example is Servisol foam cleanser. Absolutely brilliant on 99% of surfaces, wouldn't be without it. However it does contain a small amount of alcohol and it can, on some 'fragile' surfaces lift legends etc. I say, go carefully with any cleanser on old equipment.
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A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever.. |
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#18 |
Heptode
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Olympia, Washington, USA.
Posts: 664
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DeOxit comes in 2 formulas here. Red & Gold. Red is "regular" and Gold has..wait for it.. gold in it and costs almost 2X as much. (Too much will screw up the switch too. Had that happen to me.)
I have had really great luck with the old style pencil type typewriter erasers. No fiberglass to deal with and a quick shot of air blows out the "crumbs". I've used them on switches and TV tuners for over 45 years now, and with care, never damaged a switch. |
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#19 |
Nonode
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Resolven, Wales; and Bristol, England
Posts: 2,613
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With any liquid cleaner especially those in aerosol cans, it's best to put a little on a cotton bud or a cocktail stick and use that to clean with.
Far too many pieces of electrical kit have been ruined by the use of large quantities of product sprayed willy-nilly into the offending part. If you choose a WD-40 product, best make sure you are using the product you need!
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#20 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 8,834
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A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever.. |
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