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12th Mar 2021, 1:51 pm | #1 |
Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Wembley, Middlesex
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Cleaning a Murphy radio
I have taken delivery of an old Murphy A188 radio.
It is very very dirty, looks like it might have been stored in a barn. I've hovered out most of the dirt but really it looks like it might benefit from being cleaned in a bath or dishwasher. I will remove the valves before doing so. Before I do that, would someone like to offer some advice. |
12th Mar 2021, 3:24 pm | #2 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,939
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Re: Cleaning a Murphy radio
I would start by wiping down all the surfaces with white spirit or turps substitute. Watch out for active woodworm.
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12th Mar 2021, 4:02 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: East Sussex, UK.
Posts: 3,326
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Re: Cleaning a Murphy radio
I often clean chassis using Flash liquid diluted to about 25% then use a spray bottle to get the liquid over most of the surface and components. I block up any holes into transformers with Blu-Tack and any other parts which I don't want to get wet. Spray and then rub with a stiffish paint brush and rinse off with plain warm water. This can be under the tap or poured from a jug, whichever is most convenient. I then give it a wipe over with a tea towel and finally a blow dry with a cold hair dryer or heat gun. The dryer will often dislodge water that's got under components. Then I leave it for a couple of days in the conservatory where the sun will give it a final dry. Only thing it won't remove is hardened wax but that is easily scraped off with a blade.
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12th Mar 2021, 4:43 pm | #4 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Coulsdon, London, UK.
Posts: 2,163
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Re: Cleaning a Murphy radio
For some reason several cleaning liquids contain salt.
You don't want that lingering in IF transformers and other inaccessible places. |
12th Mar 2021, 7:56 pm | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: East Sussex, UK.
Posts: 3,326
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Re: Cleaning a Murphy radio
There’s no need to soak with too much Flash as it works well. Obviously use with care and you won’t get it in the wrong places.
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12th Mar 2021, 10:17 pm | #6 |
Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Wembley, Middlesex
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Re: Cleaning a Murphy radio
I'll wash it in warm water with a bit of foam cleanser to start with, then some flash and use a toothbrush on it. Then I'll warm it in the oven for a couple of hours at say 50 degrees C, or is that too high?
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12th Mar 2021, 11:10 pm | #7 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: East Sussex, UK.
Posts: 3,326
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Re: Cleaning a Murphy radio
Probably a bit too hot. I've only dried amplifier chassis with cold air blowing on them to blow any visible water off and then leave to dry naturally. Perhaps up to 30 Degrees might be ok.
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13th Mar 2021, 4:43 pm | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK.
Posts: 5,997
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Re: Cleaning a Murphy radio
I use GT85 which is for bike cleaning and available from Halfords or similar. Tweezers and loo roll, spray with GT85 and it lifts dust, dirt and grease off, and is a water repellent helping protect from corrosion.
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13th Mar 2021, 6:18 pm | #9 |
Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Wembley, Middlesex
Posts: 7,223
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Re: Cleaning a Murphy radio
I've cleaned the power supply and audio output chassis using water, foam cleanser, and a bit of Mr Muscle, but I've left the main radio chassis as I could clean it up with a good brush and didn't want to upset the tuning capacitor, IF coils and and the paxolin wafer switches which carry HT.
I will put switch cleaner on the switches and then leave it before powering up, although I wont be powering it up until I've rebuilt it anyway. |