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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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16th Jul 2019, 12:06 pm | #1 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK.
Posts: 5,997
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Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
Those who also work on vintage cars/bikes will already know this but...
Having tried every solvent and detergent I could find on a French chandelier that must have sat over a table of French men discussing politics and chain smoking Gauloises for a few decades, I went and bought some no nonsense degreaser from Screwfix. The neat solution washed the nicotine off with very little effort and it claims to be OK on plastics and paintwork. So far I have had no trouble although I am avoiding the cut glass. It is corrosive so will need to be rinsed off which will limit it's use on radios but is something I will reach for when nothing else works. |
16th Jul 2019, 12:14 pm | #2 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,970
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
Beware of automotive degreasers. Some make an excellent job of dissolving adhesives. I once used Gunk to clean a lot of tar splashes off a car and all the trim badges promptly fell off.
I've always found aerosol foaming cleaner shifts cigarette tar pretty well if you leave it on for 5 minutes. |
14th Aug 2019, 5:35 pm | #3 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ripley, Derbyshire, UK.
Posts: 785
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
I think you probably mean this, Paul.
https://www.cricklewoodelectronics.c...ser-400ml.html Absolutely magic, and specially made for the job. Tony. |
14th Aug 2019, 6:00 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 5,766
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
For some time now I've been using brake cleaner spray and find it really effective at shifting old grease, wax, and general grime. Depending on the surface to be cleaned, I either spray some onto kitchen roll and apply it by hand, or spray it onto the surface (of a chassis say) and used a brush to agitate it to loosen the grime, then wipe it off. It evaporates quite quickly, leaves no residue and doesn't seem to harm plastic and polished surfaces.
It's cheap too. I get mine from an autojumble, but it's widely available from the likes of Toolstation for example, at £2.45 for a 400 ml can: https://www.toolstation.com/brake-cl...oaAoroEALw_wcB Might be worth a try to see how you get on with it.
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David. BVWS Member. G-QRP Club member 1339. |
14th Aug 2019, 6:13 pm | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Oxfordshire, UK.
Posts: 4,935
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
I seem to recall that White Spirit worked well with "cigarette residues" and is fairly compatible with most materials.
B
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14th Aug 2019, 7:45 pm | #6 | |
Pentode
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 193
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
Quote:
I use it on every new to me item I get that looks grubby, washes off smokers residue a treat (though I prefer not to buy it if its bad) |
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14th Aug 2019, 8:55 pm | #7 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 4,108
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
On the one occasion i had to remove tobacco residue (on bakelite) I used Meths successfully.
Dave |
14th Aug 2019, 9:16 pm | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: East Sussex, UK.
Posts: 3,326
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
I’ve worked on many jukebox refurbishments over the years and have found that Flash liquid diluted 1 part to 3 parts water and sprayed on from a hand spray and maybe brushed in with a paint brush, leave a few minutes and wash off with water cleans away years of nicotine easily. Some parts have had 50+ years of nicotine applied in pubs and clubs. Also used to clean all parts in amplifiers. Just protect the entry points to transformers and coils and leave to dry in a warm place. Blu-tac works well to bung up holes that cables go through into transformers. I sometimes use a hairdryer on a cool setting to help drive out the water to help drying.
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14th Aug 2019, 10:22 pm | #9 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK.
Posts: 5,349
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
Another vote for flash. My late brother-in-law was based in Paris for 30-odd years and usually smoked Disque Bleu . His flat was heavily nicotine'd and much of the stuff we brought back needed a good clean. Meths worked as well.
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15th Aug 2019, 6:45 am | #10 |
Hexode
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 473
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
I also restore jukeboxes, their life in smoky environments guarantee that they will be brown from cigarette smoke. Myself and other restorers I know use Elbow Grease bathroom cleaner. Large spray bottle for £1. The grease and nicotine just run off.
Mick |
15th Aug 2019, 9:33 am | #11 | |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
Quote:
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15th Aug 2019, 9:46 am | #12 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Fleet, Hampshire, UK
Posts: 1,765
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
I'll second this. The no-nonsense degreaser is excellent stuff, I always keep some in the workshop now. It's a lot cheaper than Jizer and just as effective on oil and tarry deposits.
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15th Aug 2019, 1:04 pm | #13 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
Another vote for aerosol foam cleanser.
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15th Aug 2019, 3:33 pm | #14 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
A word of caution though - some cleaners make an excellent job of removing the black printing on the front of 70s silver Japanese hifi gear, as I found out the hard way.
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15th Aug 2019, 4:05 pm | #15 |
Tetrode
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: York, North Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 95
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
I'll add my vote to the "No Nonsense" line from Screwfix. I've used various of these, and as far as I can see the "No Nonsense" generally implies "Professional use - not the water based or otherwise "Improved" versions and substitutes in the general consumer market".
(I've no connection to Screwfix, by the way).
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15th Aug 2019, 7:45 pm | #16 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 3,687
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
Bit of an expert on removing that stuff. Firstly I worked on materials testing with it and was responsible for cleaning out the "tar chambers". Secondly my parents house had a furry coat which I removed.
Magic: fairy liquid. Just goes straight through it. |
15th Aug 2019, 8:54 pm | #17 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 14,007
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
I've used this:
https://cpc.farnell.com/ambersil/700...0ml/dp/CP01525 successfully in the past. It works well on hard surfaces [bakelite etc] and also on things like speaker-cloths. |
15th Aug 2019, 9:17 pm | #18 | |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,587
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
Quote:
Alan |
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15th Aug 2019, 11:51 pm | #19 | |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK.
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
Quote:
Al. |
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16th Aug 2019, 11:54 pm | #20 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK.
Posts: 5,274
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Re: Degreaser for cigarette tar removal
if it's genuinely cigarette smoke residue I find water-based cleaners best, for example a weak solution of Traffic Film Remover or Stardrops in water.
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Kevin |