Hacker Sovereign III Top Panel - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

alfabarry · 5th Jan 2016, 9:50 am

First post! I have a '73 Sovereign III RP72MB, the case of which is undamaged but simply in need of a light clean. Having read on this forum about the ease with which the lettering and black finish can get worn from the top panel, I'm wondering what is the best way of cleaning it? All the lettering on my set is present and correct, there are no scratches or bits of missing black, so I'm anxious to keep it that way! Any suggestions appreciated...

stevehertz · 5th Jan 2016, 11:51 am

Always start with the least invasive approach. So that's basically a cloth dampened with warm water. It may not remove all the gunge in a jiffy, but better to take more time on the job than remove lettering. Next step would be to add a smidgeon of washing up liquid to the water. But in any case, remove all the knobs to help you gain access. I have the same set, but I don't recall having cleaned it yet. If the legends are silk screened on, then a foaming spray cleaner will generally not cause harm - but I'm NOT suggesting you try it, or at least, spray some on to the corner of a cloth and gently try it.

alfabarry · 5th Jan 2016, 6:01 pm

Thank you for the advice. I'll proceed with (considerable!) caution.

5th Jan 2016, 9:50 am	#1
alfabarry Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Warwickshire, UK. Posts: 13	Hacker Sovereign III Top Panel First post! I have a '73 Sovereign III RP72MB, the case of which is undamaged but simply in need of a light clean. Having read on this forum about the ease with which the lettering and black finish can get worn from the top panel, I'm wondering what is the best way of cleaning it? All the lettering on my set is present and correct, there are no scratches or bits of missing black, so I'm anxious to keep it that way! Any suggestions appreciated...

5th Jan 2016, 11:51 am	#2
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,830	Re: Hacker Sovereign III Top Panel Always start with the least invasive approach. So that's basically a cloth dampened with warm water. It may not remove all the gunge in a jiffy, but better to take more time on the job than remove lettering. Next step would be to add a smidgeon of washing up liquid to the water. But in any case, remove all the knobs to help you gain access. I have the same set, but I don't recall having cleaned it yet. If the legends are silk screened on, then a foaming spray cleaner will generally not cause harm - but I'm NOT suggesting you try it, or at least, spray some on to the corner of a cloth and gently try it. __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

5th Jan 2016, 6:01 pm	#3
alfabarry Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Warwickshire, UK. Posts: 13	Re: Hacker Sovereign III Top Panel Thank you for the advice. I'll proceed with (considerable!) caution.