Chassis cleaning? Your favourite tips - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Al (astral highway) · 8th Oct 2011, 11:06 pm

I'm about to tackle a gnarly old chassis again. I note Retired's excellent suggestion of using brake and clutch cleaner as a solvent during his ongoing epic restoration project. I've used a combination of vacuum cleaner, ear buds and cellulose thinners in the past.

What are your favourite methods, pros and cons? I'd love to have access to an air hose, for example.

Sean Williams · 9th Oct 2011, 6:48 am

Compressed air, Dishwasher, and a product called GP2000 (a really powerful degreaser) - need to be careful using it on aluminium, as it can dissolve soft metals!

Brake cleaner is good, but evaporates a bit too quickly for shifting really gungy deposits.

Cheers
Sean

vinrads · 9th Oct 2011, 9:10 am

I have used some very expensive liquid Petrol! outside of course on a hot day ,it brings the cloth covered wire up a treat . Mick

Al (astral highway) · 9th Oct 2011, 10:22 am

Interesting methods, gents. I'll bear these in mind. (Not sure about the petrol, though!)

I've also used a strong degreaser whose active ingredient is citric acid. But it's the combination of hard to reach places and grime that's the really annoying factor, isn't it?

How many people go to the extent of stripping the chassis completely to stick it in the dishwasher and then rebuilding it?

What other methods really work? Does it matter to you if it's gleaming clean or is there a school of thought that says, show a bit of the dirt, it's a guide to the history of the thing?

vinrads · 9th Oct 2011, 11:37 am

I for one have stripped many rusty chassis had them sand blasted the re painted them, there are people that would rather leave it in found condition ie rusty not me, I don't go to vintage car show to see some rusty old car, I want to admire the time and effort someone has put into restoring it ,I rest my case . Mick.

PS Trust me petrol works fine .

Ian - G4JQT · 9th Oct 2011, 12:58 pm

Yes, I've stripped down chassis and stuck them in the dishwasher. Done it for TV22, DAC90A and TR82. Very effective on grimy aluminium, though not sure about steel. The process would accelerate rusting I'd expect unless it's dried very quickly and then protected some how.

I also drill out the rivets to remove things like valve holders and clean them separately or replace them with new.

It's very rewarding rebuilding up the nice shiny chassis, but it's REALLY helpful if you cheat and have an original chassis from which to copy, and mark up the circuit diagram as you add components. This helps sort out any variations/modifications in the circuit and you can decide which one to follow - or spot errors in the circuit diagram!

You could take loads of close-up photos I suppose, but nothing like having an identical chassis to work from if possible.

Regards,

Ian

Framer Dave · 9th Oct 2011, 1:16 pm

It's not strictly necessary to strip the chassis down.

I recently acquired a Fenman II in poor shape. I took the valves out and gave the chassis three full cycles in the dishwasher (last cycle with no detergent). It was then left on the central heating boiler for a week, valves re-inserted, and plugged back in with some trepidation...

Result: a lovely shiny chassis and perfect electrical order! The set has taken its place on our rota of "all day listening" sets and has performed well ever since. Even the scratchy volume control was cured!

Next time, I don't think I'll bother taking the valves out...

Regards,

Al (astral highway) · 9th Oct 2011, 5:40 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Framer Dave

It's not strictly necessary to strip the chassis down.

I recently acquired a Fenman II in poor shape. I took the valves out and gave the chassis three full cycles in the dishwasher...

Have I got this right, you left it with the caps and resistors in and put it in the dishwasher?

Wow! That takes the art to the next level... I'm amused and amazed at the same time!

MichaelR · 9th Oct 2011, 6:05 pm

The dishwasher idea is very good ,used it many times myself. However be careful that no small nuts ,washers,metal particles can come loose from the chassis as it may end up "goosing" the dishwasher pumping system.

Our dishwasher stopped working giving a pump fault indication on the control panel. I called the service centre and they sent an engineer who duly announced the pump had gone and it was going to cost me £130 for a replacement and time for fitting. Fortunately he had no access to a spare and we would have to wait 2 weeks .When he had gone I decided to have a look myself and got the pump out, that is when I found that the impellor had got a washer jamming it's rotation, I removed it re fitted the pump and we were back running again. Plenty of brownie points from the wife but I never let her know where I suspect that washer came from.

Mike

dseymo1 · 9th Oct 2011, 7:34 pm

Dishwasher is certainly OK for most modern components, but surely it won't do waxies, non- or wax-impregnated transformers etc. any good?

Framer Dave · 9th Oct 2011, 7:57 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by astral highway

Have I got this right, you left it with the caps and resistors in and put it in the dishwasher?

Wow! That takes the art to the next level... I'm amused and amazed at the same time!

Yes, and the tuning gang (re-lubricated afterwards) IFTs, the mains and output tranformers, the switching, all the pots... etc. (not the speakers of course!) all left in.

I think the secret is in the drying-out, obviously the set will need a long time on top of the boiler or in the airing cupboard, but provided it's throughly dry, what harm can result?

Framer Dave · 9th Oct 2011, 8:41 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by dseymo1

Dishwasher is certainly OK for most modern components, but surely it won't do waxies, non- or wax-impregnated transformers etc. any good?

Provided the wash temperature is set at less than the melting point of the wax, I don't think any harm would result. In any case, why leave the waxies in situ? You're surely going to replace them (aren't you?).

Regards,

MichaelR · 9th Oct 2011, 8:52 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by dseymo1

Dishwasher is certainly OK for most modern components, but surely it won't do waxies, non- or wax-impregnated transformers etc. any good?

Waxies would not absorb water quite the contrary they will repell water for the relative short time they are in the washer. Likewise the transformer should not be harmed as long as you make sure there is a good dry out period.

Relative short term dishwashing is not as damaging as sitting in a damp enviroment for 20 years

It certainly works

Mike

Pilot Mariner · 9th Oct 2011, 9:51 pm

Hi

I use safewash (RS) which removes all traces of nicotine and grime. If the chassis is particularly bad or rusty, a further treatment with Altrans (RS) usually brings it up looking like new.

Mark

Andy Doz · 10th Oct 2011, 11:52 am

One of those small Black and decker vacs and a paintbrush for clearing away the majority of the dust.

WD40 or a clone for cleaning the more gungy stuff off. Old toothbrush and cotton wool buds. GT85 smells nice

Al (astral highway) · 10th Oct 2011, 2:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Framer Dave

Yes, and the tuning gang (re-lubricated afterwards) IFTs, the mains and output tranformers, the switching, all the pots... etc...all left in.

I think the secret is in the drying-out, ... but provided it's throughly dry, what harm can result?

Well, very much looking forward to trying this out (although our dishwasher packs in repeatedly because the mfr left a decoupling cap out of the programmer design to save a few pence, but rant over!)

Seems this is a popular method, judging from the number of related posts!

HamishBoxer · 10th Oct 2011, 5:35 pm

Cellit Bang,in the purple orange container is used by many last time this came.

David

af024 · 10th Oct 2011, 9:43 pm

Duralit wadding and elbow grease?
How about Gunk or Jizzer followed by a water-blasting?

Andy

trh01uk · 11th Oct 2011, 9:29 pm

I saw one restorer (who produces first class results) putting an entire AR-88 receiver chassis into an ultrasonic bath some years back. The results were stunning - though it has to be said there was no rust to contend with. The grease and grim all disappeared in minutes.

Trouble is you need an industrial size ultrasonic bath.......not one of those little dinky toy ones that Maplin offer, or you see on Ebay for jewellers.....

Richard

muckelhound · 12th Oct 2011, 7:20 pm

I shut the filters using a piece of tape, turn the stator out and spray the chassis all over with oven spray. Don't wait too long. Then rinse off with lukewarm shower spray from above. Do not turn around while it's dripping (mostly chassis are clean from underneath) so no water runs into the band filter. Then use a hair dryer to dry roughly and place for a while at 40 degrees in the oven.
Regards
Reiner

8th Oct 2011, 11:06 pm	#1
Al (astral highway) Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, UK. Posts: 3,496	Chassis cleaning? Your favourite tips I'm about to tackle a gnarly old chassis again. I note Retired's excellent suggestion of using brake and clutch cleaner as a solvent during his ongoing epic restoration project. I've used a combination of vacuum cleaner, ear buds and cellulose thinners in the past. What are your favourite methods, pros and cons? I'd love to have access to an air hose, for example. __________________ Al

9th Oct 2011, 6:48 am	#2
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,518	Re: Chassis cleaning? Your favourite tips Compressed air, Dishwasher, and a product called GP2000 (a really powerful degreaser) - need to be careful using it on aluminium, as it can dissolve soft metals! Brake cleaner is good, but evaporates a bit too quickly for shifting really gungy deposits. Cheers Sean __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

9th Oct 2011, 9:10 am	#3
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,766	Re: Chassis cleaning? Your favourite tips I have used some very expensive liquid Petrol! outside of course on a hot day ,it brings the cloth covered wire up a treat . Mick

9th Oct 2011, 10:22 am	#4
Al (astral highway) Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, UK. Posts: 3,496	Re: Chassis cleaning? Your favourite tips Interesting methods, gents. I'll bear these in mind. (Not sure about the petrol, though!) I've also used a strong degreaser whose active ingredient is citric acid. But it's the combination of hard to reach places and grime that's the really annoying factor, isn't it? How many people go to the extent of stripping the chassis completely to stick it in the dishwasher and then rebuilding it? What other methods really work? Does it matter to you if it's gleaming clean or is there a school of thought that says, show a bit of the dirt, it's a guide to the history of the thing? __________________ Al

9th Oct 2011, 11:37 am	#5
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,766	Re: Chassis cleaning? Your favourite tips I for one have stripped many rusty chassis had them sand blasted the re painted them, there are people that would rather leave it in found condition ie rusty not me, I don't go to vintage car show to see some rusty old car, I want to admire the time and effort someone has put into restoring it ,I rest my case . Mick. PS Trust me petrol works fine .

9th Oct 2011, 12:58 pm	#6
Ian - G4JQT Octode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Reading/Fakenham, UK. Posts: 1,326	Re: Chassis cleaning? Your favourite tips Yes, I've stripped down chassis and stuck them in the dishwasher. Done it for TV22, DAC90A and TR82. Very effective on grimy aluminium, though not sure about steel. The process would accelerate rusting I'd expect unless it's dried very quickly and then protected some how. I also drill out the rivets to remove things like valve holders and clean them separately or replace them with new. It's very rewarding rebuilding up the nice shiny chassis, but it's REALLY helpful if you cheat and have an original chassis from which to copy, and mark up the circuit diagram as you add components. This helps sort out any variations/modifications in the circuit and you can decide which one to follow - or spot errors in the circuit diagram! You could take loads of close-up photos I suppose, but nothing like having an identical chassis to work from if possible. Regards, Ian

9th Oct 2011, 1:16 pm	#7
Framer Dave Rest in Peace Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Near Wrecsam, North Wales Posts: 356	Re: Chassis cleaning? Your favourite tips It's not strictly necessary to strip the chassis down. I recently acquired a Fenman II in poor shape. I took the valves out and gave the chassis three full cycles in the dishwasher (last cycle with no detergent). It was then left on the central heating boiler for a week, valves re-inserted, and plugged back in with some trepidation... Result: a lovely shiny chassis and perfect electrical order! The set has taken its place on our rota of "all day listening" sets and has performed well ever since. Even the scratchy volume control was cured! Next time, I don't think I'll bother taking the valves out... Regards,

9th Oct 2011, 6:05 pm	#9
MichaelR Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,587	Re: Chassis cleaning? Your favourite tips The dishwasher idea is very good ,used it many times myself. However be careful that no small nuts ,washers,metal particles can come loose from the chassis as it may end up "goosing" the dishwasher pumping system. Our dishwasher stopped working giving a pump fault indication on the control panel. I called the service centre and they sent an engineer who duly announced the pump had gone and it was going to cost me £130 for a replacement and time for fitting. Fortunately he had no access to a spare and we would have to wait 2 weeks .When he had gone I decided to have a look myself and got the pump out, that is when I found that the impellor had got a washer jamming it's rotation, I removed it re fitted the pump and we were back running again. Plenty of brownie points from the wife but I never let her know where I suspect that washer came from. Mike Last edited by MichaelR; 9th Oct 2011 at 6:06 pm. Reason: addition

9th Oct 2011, 7:34 pm	#10
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: Chassis cleaning? Your favourite tips Dishwasher is certainly OK for most modern components, but surely it won't do waxies, non- or wax-impregnated transformers etc. any good?

9th Oct 2011, 9:51 pm	#14
Pilot Mariner Hexode Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Burntwood, Staffordshire, UK or Kabaty in Warsaw Poland. Posts: 439	Re: Chassis cleaning? Your favourite tips Hi I use safewash (RS) which removes all traces of nicotine and grime. If the chassis is particularly bad or rusty, a further treatment with Altrans (RS) usually brings it up looking like new. Mark

10th Oct 2011, 11:52 am	#15
Andy Doz Hexode Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 376	Re: Chassis cleaning? Your favourite tips One of those small Black and decker vacs and a paintbrush for clearing away the majority of the dust. WD40 or a clone for cleaning the more gungy stuff off. Old toothbrush and cotton wool buds. GT85 smells nice

10th Oct 2011, 5:35 pm	#17
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,935	Re: Chassis cleaning? Your favourite tips Cellit Bang,in the purple orange container is used by many last time this came. David

10th Oct 2011, 9:43 pm	#18
af024 Octode Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ashby-de-la-Zouch (it's not by the sea) Posts: 1,255	Re: Chassis cleaning? Your favourite tips Duralit wadding and elbow grease? How about Gunk or Jizzer followed by a water-blasting? Andy __________________ Now where on earth did I remove that from?

11th Oct 2011, 9:29 pm	#19
trh01uk Octode Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 1,654	Re: Chassis cleaning? Your favourite tips I saw one restorer (who produces first class results) putting an entire AR-88 receiver chassis into an ultrasonic bath some years back. The results were stunning - though it has to be said there was no rust to contend with. The grease and grim all disappeared in minutes. Trouble is you need an industrial size ultrasonic bath.......not one of those little dinky toy ones that Maplin offer, or you see on Ebay for jewellers..... Richard

12th Oct 2011, 7:20 pm	#20
muckelhound Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Münster Germany Posts: 3	Re: Chassis cleaning? Your favourite tips I shut the filters using a piece of tape, turn the stator out and spray the chassis all over with oven spray. Don't wait too long. Then rinse off with lukewarm shower spray from above. Do not turn around while it's dripping (mostly chassis are clean from underneath) so no water runs into the band filter. Then use a hair dryer to dry roughly and place for a while at 40 degrees in the oven. Regards Reiner