Foam Cleaner - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Steve · 25th Feb 2006, 6:53 pm

Just in case anyone is as stupid as me and doesn't bother to read instructions, don't spray foam cleaner (certainly not the CPC stuff, anyway) onto switches. I thought I'd clean my remote plipper for the car, so pulled it apart and liberally sprayed it with the cleaner. I let it dry out, put it back together and it seemed to work OK.

Later on, came to use the car again and it wouldn't unlock. After some messing I discovered that 2 of the 3 switches in the unit were measuring circa 2K when open. Fortunately removing the switches and soaking them in isopropyl alcohol seems to have returned them to normal.

It does warn about spraying directly onto electrical equipment but I'd assumed it just meant it was flammable, not that it was conductive.

paulsherwin · 25th Feb 2006, 6:59 pm

It's possible to knacker computer keyboards by an overenthusiastic application of foam cleaner. Thanks for the reminder Steve.

Paul

PWH · 25th Feb 2006, 7:07 pm

And if you spray it on paxoline with screen printed writing like aerial/earth gram tag strips, the writing will come straight off. Guess who found out the hard way!

radiogammon · 26th Feb 2006, 11:20 am

There are many different types of foam cleaner on the market. Maplin's own brand is quite corrosive and more useful for cleaning greasy hard surfaces. There is even a warning on the tin that it can etch glass and all residues need to be removed. Certainly not one for radio dials or computer keyboards. The Servisol brand is more gentle. It is good for CRT screens , plastic cabinets etc and also contains an antistatic agent.

Brian R Pateman · 26th Feb 2006, 2:51 pm

Yes, I'd recommend the Servisol one as about the best around - you get what you pay for!

I tend to be rather more cautious these days, having disintegrated all sorts of things with liberal application of solvents.

Hey Ho, we live and learn!

paulsherwin · 26th Feb 2006, 3:08 pm

I've found Aldi Power Force Bathroom Cleaner works well without any nasty surprises, so I stick with that (99p). Anything designed for cleaning cooker tops is likely to be caustic, and anything that mentions limescale is likely to be acidic.

Best regards, Paul

Paul Stenning · 26th Feb 2006, 10:35 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian R Pateman

Yes, I'd recommend the Servisol one as about the best around - you get what you pay for!

Yes, I use that too (the one in the pale blue can). It seems to work better than some own-brand ones and doesn't seem to cause damge is used sensibly.

Sean Williams · 26th Feb 2006, 10:54 pm

I have always used "simoniz foaming upholstery cleaner" - superb stuff and as far as I can see not corrosive.....

Volkswagen used to do their own version, and it would shift everything and lasted for ages, but it never caught on at 22 quid for a tin!

Cheers
Sean

Jim - G4MEZ · 6th Mar 2006, 7:29 pm

I have found that Electrolube CTC "Carterclene" is the best of the bunch. It works well, even on Inkjet Ink, and does not seem to harm anything I have tried cleaning with it.

It does a great job on Bush VHF64 Piano Keys and Knobs and is good on glass.

It's water based, so never use it near switches of any sort. I believe its active ingredient is ammonia.

As an aside, it is fantastic for alloy wheel cleaning and removing old, nasty grease from cooker hoods and tiles.

I love the stuff..

Jim

newlite4 · 7th Mar 2006, 11:11 am

I also find Carterclene fairly effective, we use it as standard here at work. I had a nasty surprise one day though after I had just repaired an instrument. I decided to give the front panel a quick clean up with Carterclene and I suddenly noticed the screen print floating away with the run-off

, it seemed to have just lifted it

.
Neil

25th Feb 2006, 6:53 pm	#1
Steve Tetrode Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 91	Foam Cleaner Just in case anyone is as stupid as me and doesn't bother to read instructions, don't spray foam cleaner (certainly not the CPC stuff, anyway) onto switches. I thought I'd clean my remote plipper for the car, so pulled it apart and liberally sprayed it with the cleaner. I let it dry out, put it back together and it seemed to work OK. Later on, came to use the car again and it wouldn't unlock. After some messing I discovered that 2 of the 3 switches in the unit were measuring circa 2K when open. Fortunately removing the switches and soaking them in isopropyl alcohol seems to have returned them to normal. It does warn about spraying directly onto electrical equipment but I'd assumed it just meant it was flammable, not that it was conductive.

25th Feb 2006, 6:59 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,936	Re: Foam Cleaner It's possible to knacker computer keyboards by an overenthusiastic application of foam cleaner. Thanks for the reminder Steve. Paul

25th Feb 2006, 7:07 pm	#3
PWH Heptode Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Waiheke Island, New Zealand Posts: 503	Re: Foam Cleaner And if you spray it on paxoline with screen printed writing like aerial/earth gram tag strips, the writing will come straight off. Guess who found out the hard way!

26th Feb 2006, 11:20 am	#4
radiogammon Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: County Down, Northern Ireland, UK. Posts: 275	Re: Foam Cleaner There are many different types of foam cleaner on the market. Maplin's own brand is quite corrosive and more useful for cleaning greasy hard surfaces. There is even a warning on the tin that it can etch glass and all residues need to be removed. Certainly not one for radio dials or computer keyboards. The Servisol brand is more gentle. It is good for CRT screens , plastic cabinets etc and also contains an antistatic agent.

26th Feb 2006, 2:51 pm	#5
Brian R Pateman Nonode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Lake District, Cumbria (CA20) - UK Posts: 2,136	Re: Foam Cleaner Yes, I'd recommend the Servisol one as about the best around - you get what you pay for! I tend to be rather more cautious these days, having disintegrated all sorts of things with liberal application of solvents. Hey Ho, we live and learn! __________________ Brian

26th Feb 2006, 3:08 pm	#6
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,936	Re: Foam Cleaner I've found Aldi Power Force Bathroom Cleaner works well without any nasty surprises, so I stick with that (99p). Anything designed for cleaning cooker tops is likely to be caustic, and anything that mentions limescale is likely to be acidic. Best regards, Paul

26th Feb 2006, 10:54 pm	#8
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,517	Re: Foam Cleaner I have always used "simoniz foaming upholstery cleaner" - superb stuff and as far as I can see not corrosive..... Volkswagen used to do their own version, and it would shift everything and lasted for ages, but it never caught on at 22 quid for a tin! Cheers Sean __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

6th Mar 2006, 7:29 pm	#9
Jim - G4MEZ Tetrode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 95	Re: Foam Cleaner I have found that Electrolube CTC "Carterclene" is the best of the bunch. It works well, even on Inkjet Ink, and does not seem to harm anything I have tried cleaning with it. It does a great job on Bush VHF64 Piano Keys and Knobs and is good on glass. It's water based, so never use it near switches of any sort. I believe its active ingredient is ammonia. As an aside, it is fantastic for alloy wheel cleaning and removing old, nasty grease from cooker hoods and tiles. I love the stuff.. Jim

7th Mar 2006, 11:11 am	#10
newlite4 Octode Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,805	Re: Foam Cleaner I also find Carterclene fairly effective, we use it as standard here at work. I had a nasty surprise one day though after I had just repaired an instrument. I decided to give the front panel a quick clean up with Carterclene and I suddenly noticed the screen print floating away with the run-off , it seemed to have just lifted it . Neil