chassis cleaning

[man_of_kent]

Hi all

I was wondering what is the best way to clean the chassis? if it be steel or Aluminium? is it ok to use wire wool or is it best to use an electric brush cleaner or some chemical cleaner thanks all

Brent

[Station X]

See here:-

http://www.vintage-radio.com/repair-...e-chassis.html

Don't use wire wool. Bits of wire will break off and short circuit valveholders etc.

[paulsherwin]

A lot depends on what the dirt is. WD40 does a good job of dissolving waxy filth. I finish off with T-Cut if I'm really serious about cleaning things.

I don't normally bother doing this though, as you need to remove pretty much everything from the chassis to do the job properly. A 60 year old chassis should *have* some dirt

Paul

[man_of_kent]

Thanks chaps I will check that out station x also Paul I had this idea the chassis was supposed to shine like a restored car engine it is more than dirt in some cases it looks like damage to the surface like black spots especially on the steel the best way to describle it would be to say "blotches" but another question or two what is the best thing to use on a speaker cone that has a hole in it and is there any need to worry about bits coming off the mains dropper as the wire is showing?

Thanks...ps I do need to make more use of this site

Brent

[Dave Moll]

Originally Posted by man_of_kent

what is the best thing to use on a speaker cone that has a hole in it?

Some thoughts on this here. For further discussion of speaker cones, please start a new thread.

[Nickthedentist]

See this thread for some very imressive chassis renovation: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ead.php?t=9948

[Neil F]

I'm no expert on the following, and I'd be pleased to be corrected, but from what I've read in other threads about chassis cleaning I'd be a bit wary about using mechanical aids like a wire brush or sandpaper to clean chassis - old ones, anyway. Older chassis are sometimes cadmium plated, and as I understand it cadmium is a toxic metal that you don't really want to be turning into dust and inhaling.

[Sean Williams]

Yep, Cadmuim is not good for you, fortunately, not used that often on domestic equipment, but best to be careful!

[Mike Phelan]

Here are some before-and-afters of my Fergy 378U - the chassis was stripped and shotblasted, and the IF cans had a trip to the dishwasher.

I did not use any sort of abrasive anywhere.

When it's complete, I'll post a thread in Success Stories, but that will give you some ideas.

[Don Collie jnr]

Hi Brent,
I usually fill the bath with hot water, and add some floor cleaner. You must dry the chassis *thoroughly* in warm air though. I remove meters, and speakers etc. though.
I`m not kidding! This method produces good results.........................................Do n.

[Nickthedentist]

Originally Posted by Mike Phelan

...the chassis was stripped and shotblasted, and the IF cans had a trip to the dishwasher.

How did you achieve that, Mike? Did it cost much?

Nick.

[Mike Phelan]

It was free, Nick, as a pal works in an engineering works and I had a few other things to blast as well. It did not remove the plating, either, as far as I can tell. It might have been cadmium; not sure of that.

[man_of_kent]

Thanks so much for those warnings I had no idea about what can happen if you go about cleaning the wrong way I am very impressed with the results you chaps have all shown in your pics here with different cleaning methods and I did try boot polish on my DAC90A case (not chassis lol) as I had spoted it on an other thread and saw those lovely cabinets shine so I gave it ago .. cheers for that chaps.

Brent