Foam Cleaner.

[Vintage Engr]

I have used Servisol Foam Cleanser 30 for around 40 years and found it to be a very good cleaner for most cabinet finishes used in radio/electronics. It also has anti-static properties and so is good on acrylic sheet etc.
As I normally bought it in a multi pack, it's lasted for ages. Until I ran out last week & tried to re-order.

It appears that it is no longer made, although I stand to be corrected.
I therefore ordered what appeared to be a similar product, Pro-Power Foam Cleaner.

Having just used the Pro-Power version, I have discovered that it contains acetone.... Not something to use on certain painted finishes!
I discovered this using it on a painted dial back-plate, where it started to remove the top layer of paint. The original Servisol cleaner was fine on such surfaces.

Has anyone found another replacement cleaner that is kind to plastics & paint finishes?

David.

[Nickthedentist]

I like Ambersil "Amberclens"

Datasheet here: https://docs.rs-online.com/5a4d/0900766b807b75bf.pdf

£7.79 for 400mL from CPC, but cheaper from some online non-electronic outlets, e.g. https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/cleaning...0aAqtyEALw_wcB

[paulsherwin]

I've never heard of general purpose foaming cleaner containing acetone. They all seem to be much of a muchness, so I generally buy on price. They are normally marketed as carpet cleaner or bathroom cleaner.

[Vintage Engr]

Thanks,

I must have missed that one when ordering from CPC.
From the data sheet it looks to be similar to the old Servisol one. Maybe that's why CRC industries, who own both trademarks, have discontinued it.

I will put some on my next order, & give it a try. Certainly the Pro Power one makes a good paint stripper!

David.

[Goldie99]

I'm a little surprised too, but the MSDS document linked on the Farnell site does indeed list Acetone.

[Nickthedentist]

The old CPC one in the green metallic aerosol can was also a bit prone to removing screenprinted legends.

[CambridgeWorks]

A few years ago I used a can of car upholstery cleaner. Smelt similar and did as good a job as my usual.
In the 80s, I used Amberclens and then later I went on to Servisol, usually buying a dozen at a time for free shipping.
May go back to the car one again, as I need to use it very little these days.
Rob

[Vintage Engr]

Originally Posted by Nickthedentist

The old CPC one in the green metallic aerosol can was also a bit prone to removing screenprinted legends.

I still have one of those, I will probably make it a 'display only' item!

David.

[Uncle Bulgaria]

Farnell do seem to have stopped it. I was overwhelmed looking at the 386 cleaners they offer. ESR do one, FC90, which doesn't appear to have acetone in. I've still got Servisol 30 from a 2020 Farnell order...

[Nickthedentist]

Yes, now the Servisol products have been withdrawn or re-labeled as something else, there's too much choice, and it's all too easy to end up buying the wrong stuff. I know I did, ending up with an expensive, acidic switch cleaner which I later learnt needed to be washed away, and a separate lubricant applied.

See here for part of the story with Servisol Super 10 switch cleaner, now apparently known as "Kontakt Chemie Super 10": https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/....php?p=1509594

Maybe someone enterprising could make a table of equivalents?

[Jez1234]

The RS version caused slight damage to the lens of an illuminated bench magnifying glass FWIW.

[yampy187]

I use a product called Xanto ‘Zazzoosh’ lime kitchen foam mousse.

Not strictly an electronics grade cleaner, But, it’s fantastic at removing muck, grease, nicotine etc without attacking plastic or printed on legends. You can usually find it in discount type stores.

[kalee20]

I use Ambersil Groom from Halfords - very good, yet it's never lifted lettering off glass tuning scales!

[Vintage Engr]

Originally Posted by kalee20

I use Ambersil Groom from Halfords - very good, yet it's never lifted lettering off glass tuning scales!

That looks interesting, & also CRC. CPC stock it, so I'll add one to my next order & give it try,

Thanks,

David

[Jez1234]

I looked up Xanto products after the post above and they do a foam cleaner aimed at upholstery etc for only £1.45! The same stuff?? RS, Farnell et al charging say £7 for a spray tin of cleaner does seem properly extortionate to me!

[Beobloke]

It’s worth remembering that all Servisol products have been re-branded as Kontakt Chemie, which is the name of the parent company.

Therefore Kontakt Chemie Multi Foam 77 might be a suitable substitute.

https://www.canford.co.uk/Products/5...-cleaner-400ml

[Jez1234]

And only £9.36 + VAT and delivery

Nice to see you back Adam

[PaulE27]

I used to buy Maplin foam cleaner (anyone know who made that for them?) but when Maplin closed down I tried FC-90.

I found the Maplin cleaner was better for cleaning the inside of my microwave oven, but the FC-90 was MUCH better for cleaning the sticky goo off my Grundig G8 Traveller II radio. It is now totally unsticky. FC-90 also managed to completely remove some dried blood from a mattress.

[duncanlowe]

I have the last dregs of the CPC Green foam cleaner. Last used in March. Cleaned quite a few (loft dirt) things nicely with no signs of damage to them, but suprisingly did manage to remove some paint pen writing that was nice though unexpected!

[G6Tanuki]

I've been using the Ambersil Groom stuff for a few years; it works well to lift nicotine-staining and suchlike from the outsides of radios [I recently used it effectively to clean up a 1970s-vintage Trio-Kenwood TR-2400 2-Metre walkie-talkie that had been previously owned by someone with a 60-a-day habit].