Cleaning Up Badly Scratched Verobox? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Chris55000 · 15th Feb 2024, 7:27 pm

Can anybody offer me any suggestions for cleaning up a two tone white and grey Verobox from my N7118 pattern generator please?

It's really ghastly both top and bottom, covered in a grotty meshwork of black mucky scratches all over it!

I don't want to have to buy a replacement unless it really is absolutely needed as these 205 × 140 × 40 mm boxes are in short supply and expensive!

Chris Williams

Philips210 · 15th Feb 2024, 8:01 pm

Hi Chris.

I'd first give the two halves of the case a good wash in hot soapy water or you could try foam cleaner. If the scratches aren't too deep then you could try a mild abrasive cutting compound such as T-cut. Solvol metal polish works quite well. Brasso is also quite good.

If the scratches are deeper then you could try a really fine wet and dry abrasive say 1200 or 1000 grit and then progress on to a cutting compound. It all depends how badly scratched it is.

A good wash and a cutting compound will probably be enough to transform the appearance.

Regards,
Symon

Silicon · 15th Feb 2024, 8:14 pm

Some plastics can be painted. It might be made from ABS.

Chris55000 · 15th Feb 2024, 9:09 pm

. . .Thanks Symon!

. . I'll give all that a try! I've tried all that before without much success – I must have been using something too abrasive in the past!

. . .I'm happy I can completely reclaim the electronics and PCB, (even making a new PCB if the worst comes to the worst!) but cabinets, mechanicals and me don't agree with other!

Chris Williams

EmleyTim · 15th Feb 2024, 10:06 pm

Hi Chris
Symon’s spot on. All I would add is that constantly wetting the abrasive paper when using it often yields a more pleasing result faster as it prevents contaminants from re-scratching. A drop of washing up liquid in the water can help too. Amazon sell assorted packs of wet & dry at a VFM price. As Symon says, work through the grades, the higher the number, the finer the cut.
Good luck, Tim

15th Feb 2024, 7:27 pm	#1
Chris55000 Nonode Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walsall Wood, Aldridge, Walsall, UK. Posts: 2,874	Cleaning Up Badly Scratched Verobox? Can anybody offer me any suggestions for cleaning up a two tone white and grey Verobox from my N7118 pattern generator please? It's really ghastly both top and bottom, covered in a grotty meshwork of black mucky scratches all over it! I don't want to have to buy a replacement unless it really is absolutely needed as these 205 × 140 × 40 mm boxes are in short supply and expensive! Chris Williams __________________ It's an enigma, that's what it is! This thing's not fixed because it doesn't want to be fixed!

15th Feb 2024, 8:01 pm	#2
Philips210 Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 2,580	Re: Cleaning Up Badly Scratched Verobox? Hi Chris. I'd first give the two halves of the case a good wash in hot soapy water or you could try foam cleaner. If the scratches aren't too deep then you could try a mild abrasive cutting compound such as T-cut. Solvol metal polish works quite well. Brasso is also quite good. If the scratches are deeper then you could try a really fine wet and dry abrasive say 1200 or 1000 grit and then progress on to a cutting compound. It all depends how badly scratched it is. A good wash and a cutting compound will probably be enough to transform the appearance. Regards, Symon

15th Feb 2024, 8:14 pm	#3
Silicon Nonode Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Coulsdon, London, UK. Posts: 2,172	Re: Cleaning Up Badly Scratched Verobox? Some plastics can be painted. It might be made from ABS.

15th Feb 2024, 9:09 pm	#4
Chris55000 Nonode Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walsall Wood, Aldridge, Walsall, UK. Posts: 2,874	Re: Cleaning Up Badly Scratched Verobox? . . .Thanks Symon! . . I'll give all that a try! I've tried all that before without much success – I must have been using something too abrasive in the past! . . .I'm happy I can completely reclaim the electronics and PCB, (even making a new PCB if the worst comes to the worst!) but cabinets, mechanicals and me don't agree with other! Chris Williams __________________ It's an enigma, that's what it is! This thing's not fixed because it doesn't want to be fixed!

15th Feb 2024, 10:06 pm	#5
EmleyTim Tetrode Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 77	Re: Cleaning Up Badly Scratched Verobox? Hi Chris Symon’s spot on. All I would add is that constantly wetting the abrasive paper when using it often yields a more pleasing result faster as it prevents contaminants from re-scratching. A drop of washing up liquid in the water can help too. Amazon sell assorted packs of wet & dry at a VFM price. As Symon says, work through the grades, the higher the number, the finer the cut. Good luck, Tim