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Hi,
reading Stan's impressive and very interesting book "Selecting and Restoring a Classic" I have come across the section where he describes in a very precise manner how to clean and wash an instrument. As he proposes the use of amounts of water and detergent even inside the instrument I would like to hear some opinions and experience reports on this. Me thinks using much water can easily cause unnecessary trouble.
Working on some 1930s' era radio receivers I have learned to use very little water - just to clean all inner and outer surfaces of the cabinet and knobs and such. For de-greasing I am used to have automotive brake cleaner spray at hand.
What do you think?

On Wed, Feb 3, 2021 at 12:54 PM, Joe wrote:

I would like to hear some opinions and experience reports on this.

Hi: So much on this topic is already posted on TekScopes... if you search the "Messages", you'll come across a lot of posts.

I have had excellent results and luck for decades giving equipment a bath. Items like loudspeakers, panel meters, and enclosed motors and others that can be damaged by water need to be removed, others can remain. The knobs should be removed and cleaned seperately with dish washing detergent and an old toohbrush, take it easy on the lettering. I never dunk the equipment in water, just spray cleaner and water on it. Some people prefer to use distilled or de-ionized water for a final rinse. If the item stinks to high heaven and is covered in yellow brown tar, use a cleaner that contains ammonia. I have a 555 in that condition, there is no question why the previous owner is SK! I have bathed the power supply and plug ins, they are excellent now. It is important to dry immediately, I use a "hot box" heated by a blow dryer blowing through the box. Antique and classic entertainment equipment may not be suited for a bath, ESPECIALLY dial scales on glass. If reasonable precautions are taken, you should have to problems.

Bruce Gentry, KA2IVY

My first job in the industry in 1974 was a small company in Lexington Ma. Next door to us was a Tektronix office that also did repair and calibration. Every day they would line up the chassis’ of all the scopes in for repair on the loading dock and go at them with a garden hose. I’m sure it was the final rinse in the cleaning process. I rebuilt a Heathkit SB-101 transceiver last summer. Stripped the chassis of tubes and the VFO and scrubbed it in the kitchen sink with warm water, Dawn detergent and a paint brush followed by 2 hours at 150 f in the oven. No harm to any of the boards, components, coils or transformers. Brought the cable harness colors back to life. You have to re-lube all the pots and switches.

I recently worked on my 465 that was almost as old. It was much cleaner inside since it is mainly solid state, fewer air vents and less convection pulling air pollution into it.

Dave , W1BVV