Getting the stink out of old mic's. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Diabolical Artificer · 18th Apr 2018, 6:58 am

I have an old AKG D1200E mic that someone on here gave me, but it wasn't nice to use as it had a bad smell from inside the mic capsule cover. The smell in question is that heavy cloying smell of tarnished metal.

I tried vinegar, washing up liquid, toothpaste and various other kitchen cupboard remedies before finding anti septic hand wash did the job.

Andy.

Herald1360 · 18th Apr 2018, 9:40 am

Sounds like the smell could be related to lifeforms evolving from prehistoric spit......

m0cemdave · 18th Apr 2018, 10:08 am

Listerine was the usual favourite, when I was working as a monitor engineer.

G6Tanuki · 18th Apr 2018, 10:20 am

Baking Soda's another favourite deodorizer (a paste of it applied and left to soak in/dry then brushed off is a great way to remove the stink of nicotine).

Argus25 · 18th Apr 2018, 2:06 pm

This reminds me of Billy Joel's Piano Man:

It's a pretty good crowd for a Saturday
And the manager gives me a smile
'Cause he knows that it's me they've been comin' to see
To forget about life for a while
And the piano, it sounds like a carnival
And the microphone smells like a beer
And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar
And say, "Man, what are you doin' here?"

usradcoll1 · 19th Apr 2018, 4:51 pm

They seem to play that recording just about every morning on this FM oldies station. I heard it this morning again.

Diabolical Artificer · 21st Apr 2018, 6:40 am

I'm trying to think what it smells like, maybe if you got a fist full of scrap brass and zinc, put them in a rugby players jockstrap for a few years, that'd be near. And where I've smelt this strong metallic smell before, somewhere as a kid? Mouth organ maybe, so maybe your right Chris.

I tried mouthwash Dave, no joy.

Didn't have any baking soda, though the thought of using it was at the back of my mind.

Good song, though the mic didn't smell like any beer I've ever drunk, not even bad homebrew or rough cider. Though most wine comes near for the drekky odour, sorry I mean nose lest I upset wineophile's.

Andy.

18th Apr 2018, 6:58 am	#1
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,661	Getting the stink out of old mic's. I have an old AKG D1200E mic that someone on here gave me, but it wasn't nice to use as it had a bad smell from inside the mic capsule cover. The smell in question is that heavy cloying smell of tarnished metal. I tried vinegar, washing up liquid, toothpaste and various other kitchen cupboard remedies before finding anti septic hand wash did the job. Andy. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.

18th Apr 2018, 9:40 am	#2
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Getting the stink out of old mic's. Sounds like the smell could be related to lifeforms evolving from prehistoric spit...... __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

18th Apr 2018, 10:08 am	#3
m0cemdave Octode Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 1,219	Re: Getting the stink out of old mic's. Listerine was the usual favourite, when I was working as a monitor engineer.

18th Apr 2018, 10:20 am	#4
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,998	Re: Getting the stink out of old mic's. Baking Soda's another favourite deodorizer (a paste of it applied and left to soak in/dry then brushed off is a great way to remove the stink of nicotine).

18th Apr 2018, 2:06 pm	#5
Argus25 No Longer a Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia. Posts: 2,679	Re: Getting the stink out of old mic's. This reminds me of Billy Joel's Piano Man: It's a pretty good crowd for a Saturday And the manager gives me a smile 'Cause he knows that it's me they've been comin' to see To forget about life for a while And the piano, it sounds like a carnival And the microphone smells like a beer And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar And say, "Man, what are you doin' here?"

19th Apr 2018, 4:51 pm	#6
usradcoll1 Heptode Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, USA. Posts: 823	Re: Getting the stink out of old mic's. They seem to play that recording just about every morning on this FM oldies station. I heard it this morning again.

21st Apr 2018, 6:40 am	#7
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,661	Re: Getting the stink out of old mic's. I'm trying to think what it smells like, maybe if you got a fist full of scrap brass and zinc, put them in a rugby players jockstrap for a few years, that'd be near. And where I've smelt this strong metallic smell before, somewhere as a kid? Mouth organ maybe, so maybe your right Chris. I tried mouthwash Dave, no joy. Didn't have any baking soda, though the thought of using it was at the back of my mind. Good song, though the mic didn't smell like any beer I've ever drunk, not even bad homebrew or rough cider. Though most wine comes near for the drekky odour, sorry I mean nose lest I upset wineophile's. Andy. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.