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Hints, Tips and Solutions (Do NOT post requests for help here) If you have any useful general hints and tips for vintage technology repair and restoration, please share them here. PLEASE DO NOT POST REQUESTS FOR HELP HERE!

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Old 13th Mar 2017, 11:22 pm   #1
vinrads
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Default Wavechange switches cleaning

I found using a glass fibre tip pen to clean the moving contacts on w/c switches very effective , a squirt of Servisol after works a treat! Mick.
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Old 13th Mar 2017, 11:44 pm   #2
Goldieoldie
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Default Re: wavechange switches cleaning

Yes they are also very good at cleaning battery terminals
One thing does concern me though,that is the fine fibre bits which are left behind.
They do agitate the skin so I guess one must be very careful to not inhale them !
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Old 14th Mar 2017, 12:47 am   #3
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Default Re: wavechange switches cleaning

I've used these 'pens' for some time now, and I agree about them agitating the skin. I tend to wear gloves now, and a paper mask - (which to some may be extreme) when using them for that very reason. If it can make my skin feel like I've been peppered with glass, imagine what damage the fibres may do inside!
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Old 14th Mar 2017, 12:55 am   #4
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Default Re: Wavechange switches cleaning

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Originally Posted by vinrads View Post
A squirt of Servisol after works a treat! Mick.
I've used Servisol for years, but have just started test driving 'WD40 Specialist Fast Drying Contact Cleaner'. It was the only option at the time as my local shop I used to buy the Servisol from closed down, and I needed some contact cleaner quickly. It does work well, but seems to take a little longer to dry than I'm used to.
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Old 14th Mar 2017, 9:44 am   #5
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Default Re: Wavechange switches cleaning

Most important, even imperative, to protect your eyes when using these glass fibre pens. Dip the ends in neat washing up liquid or other similiar viscous liquid to help stop the fibres flying all over the place.

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Old 14th Mar 2017, 6:25 pm   #6
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Default Re: Wavechange switches cleaning

I'm not sure I'd use washing up liquid, as it can be quite corrosive (same applies to washing cars).
I have a box containing heatshrink and stuff, including some fibreglass sleeving, and that irritates my hands whenever I rummage in it. I ought to bag the fibreglass really.
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Old 14th Mar 2017, 7:22 pm   #7
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Default Re: Wavechange switches cleaning

Really? I'm most surprised. I've been using it to stop flying fibre glass for years as well as for it's intended use.

One way to make sure, plastic tub, selection of metals and some Fairy.

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Old 14th Mar 2017, 11:16 pm   #8
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Default Re: Wavechange switches cleaning

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Originally Posted by dseymo1 View Post
I'm not sure I'd use washing up liquid, as it can be quite corrosive (same applies to washing cars).
That is true; washing up liquid contains a lot of sodium chloride and chloride is the worst ion of all for initiating corroison. May not be evident immediately after use, but very high subsequent risk. I would never use washing up liquid anywhere near a car, or less still, electronics equipment.

Wasn't aware of the eye hazards of fibreglass pens, but have never owned one.

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Old 15th Mar 2017, 12:05 am   #9
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Default Re: Wavechange switches cleaning

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Wasn't aware of the eye hazards of fibreglass pens, but have never owned one. B
It's nasty. The hair-like fibres penetrate your eyeball much like your fingers. You should get one just to experience the sharp pain in your finger when you innocently press a penetrating fibre in a bit deeper a couple of days after using the pen

The washing up liquid is used just on the end to prevent the fibres flying off, it's hardly sloshed around. I flush it and the fibres out from contact switches with something volatile anyway thus no corrosion. I suspect one could use Vaseline just as well. Or treacle. Anything but those flipping fibres in my fingers!

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Old 15th Mar 2017, 12:20 am   #10
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Default Re: Wavechange switches cleaning

To clarify the salt in detergent problem: this is done in domestic products to make them thicker, which is to give the impression that the product is stronger than it is. Shampoo is the worst example of this.

Industrial detergents or even just the stuff for adding to pressure washer machines is probably salt-free, as are some screen wash products. But check the conductivity!

So if it is thick and gloopy it contains loads of salt.
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Old 15th Mar 2017, 7:05 pm   #11
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Default Re: Wavechange switches cleaning

Now how did we get to Shampoo ! just clean the switch with the fibre pen flush out any bits of fibreglass ,job done! . Mick.
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Old 15th Mar 2017, 9:44 pm   #12
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Default Re: Wavechange switches cleaning

I guess that a reasonable alternative to washing up liquid would be car wash liquid - hopefully, free of chloride (?) but nice and gloopy.

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Old 17th Mar 2017, 1:37 am   #13
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Default Re: Wavechange switches cleaning

Deoxit, expensive but wonder stuff and you don't need as much as you would use when using servisol.
Gaz.
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Old 17th Mar 2017, 4:52 am   #14
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Default Re: Wavechange switches cleaning

I've had some Deoxit D5 for some time, and I'm not at all sure about it, but others on the Forum have sung its praises previously.

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Old 18th Mar 2017, 3:22 pm   #15
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Default Re: Wavechange switches cleaning

Hmm. The Americans are always banging on about Deoxit on their forums. I always thought that it was pretty much the same product as 'our' Servisol contact cleaner. Has anyone used both and can offer a comparison of their effectiveness? - not being swayed by Deoxit's higher price of course! And what about the WD40 version, how does that compare to Servisol? It's very subjective I guess is the answer - unless one is clearly much better, and I would doubt that..
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Old 21st Mar 2017, 1:09 am   #16
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Default Re: Wavechange switches cleaning

Quote:
Originally Posted by vinrads View Post
I found using a glass fibre tip pen to clean the moving contacts on w/c switches very effective , a squirt of Servisol after works a treat!
Careful- possibly plenty of ye olde transmission blokes on here with tales of woe on Servisol on the gain pots of 24 circuit amps. Gain was through NFB, and Servisol made the pots go HR, resulting in high gain and problems.
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Old 22nd Mar 2017, 10:13 am   #17
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Default Re: Wavechange switches cleaning

I think the byword here when using any cleaning product on a vintage part is, 'go carefully'. Another example is Servisol foam cleanser. Absolutely brilliant on 99% of surfaces, wouldn't be without it. However it does contain a small amount of alcohol and it can, on some 'fragile' surfaces lift legends etc. I say, go carefully with any cleanser on old equipment.
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Old 23rd Mar 2017, 7:08 am   #18
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Default Re: Wavechange switches cleaning

DeOxit comes in 2 formulas here. Red & Gold. Red is "regular" and Gold has..wait for it.. gold in it and costs almost 2X as much. (Too much will screw up the switch too. Had that happen to me.)

I have had really great luck with the old style pencil type typewriter erasers. No fiberglass to deal with and a quick shot of air blows out the "crumbs". I've used them on switches and TV tuners for over 45 years now, and with care, never damaged a switch.
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Old 23rd Mar 2017, 7:48 pm   #19
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Default Re: Wavechange switches cleaning

With any liquid cleaner especially those in aerosol cans, it's best to put a little on a cotton bud or a cocktail stick and use that to clean with.
Far too many pieces of electrical kit have been ruined by the use of large quantities of product sprayed willy-nilly into the offending part.
If you choose a WD-40 product, best make sure you are using the product you need!
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Old 23rd Mar 2017, 8:28 pm   #20
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Default Re: Wavechange switches cleaning

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Originally Posted by mole42uk View Post
...
If you choose a WD-40 product, best make sure you are using the product you need!
Indeed. Choose standard 'WD40' for cleaning switches and pots and you're on the wrong track (pun not intended).. That's the problem when a 'product' name is subsequently used as a brand name.. People are confused and may 'switch' one for the other, with potentially disastrous results.
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