Best way to clean Vintage fascia

[doublecee]

Hello!

I have a really nice vintage JVC setup in my office that I want to partner with a Teac 3440 in the living area. Its in great condition, but I know that it could do with a clean. I want to know, what is the best method to really get the silver face plates and knobs to shine?



Oh, and I am using some nice blue festoons for the VU meters on this and the matching tape decks. May post more pics when time allows

Thanks

[Mchaz]

I use a dilute solution of Simple Green (1:30) applied with q-tips or a toothbrush. Be very gentle over the lettering.

[doublecee]

cool.


Er, whats simple green. Its not something I have seen for sale in the UK

[Tapehead47]

Originally Posted by Mchaz

I use dilute solution of Simple Green (1:30) applied with q-tips or a toothbrush. Be very gentle over the lettering.

Discovered Simplegreen a couple of years ago. It is great. Needs to be combined with water according to directions.

Pretty blue meters!

Rick

[Tapehead47]

Originally Posted by doublecee

cool.


Er, whats simple green. Its not something I have seen for sale in the UK

Simple Green is a cleaning product for general household chores. I have the "Automotive" version which states is a "Non-toxic, Biodegradable, non-abrasive, non-flammable Cleaner Degreaser".

I'm sure you could find something else to use if it's not available there.

Before I found Simple Green I used a drop of dish detergent, a little alcohol, and a bit of Grease Lightning in a water solution. You can skip the Grease Lightning if it's not available.

Some WD-40 and a cotton ball work well on metal surfaces. Dry the WD-40 off. Don't touch any plastic with it, either or you will hate me. Windex works great for the clear/plastic parts. Don't spray it directly onto the unit. Use a soft rag.

Good luck!

Rick

[Mchaz]

Originally Posted by doublecee

cool.


Er, whats simple green. Its not something I have seen for sale in the UK

It's a concentrated cleaning product that is non-toxic and biodegradable. I find it at my local hardware store, but I don't know if you can find it in the UK. Here a 2L jug of concentrate runs about $10, and will last forever.

http://www.simplegreen.co.uk/

The where to buy section doesn't list any retailers. You could order it on-line, but maybe someone can chime in with something else that you could find locally.

*Edit, Tapehead beat me to it.

[kretinus]

For silver face stuff I use one of those "magic erasers" cut into wedges, dampened with Windex, just avoid the lettering, it's mildly abrasive, like rubbing compound. I use windex and a microfiber cloth for bezels etc.

I also use aircraft windshield polish on clear plastic parts, the scratches will disappear.

[Tapehead47]

aircraft windshield polish? Where can I get that?

[jpciii]

I do what Echowars says... remove face and knobs, wash them in warm soapy water (I use regular old dish soap and an old toothbrush). After that, I use paste style car wax (turtle wax) and get somewhat aggressive with it... I use lots of wax, keep it kinda wet, and rub pretty hard. To get the wax off, I first rinse it and use the toothbrush to get most of it off. Then I let it dry and hand-buff it with an old cotton towel. Echowars posted that he uses a spray on wax, but often there are still fingerprints or cloudy areas after the initial bath. The paste wax (rubbing) clears them up perfectly. I've done this treatment to 6 or 7 pieces, and every one has turned out great. The process usually takes about an hour.

Example:
The knobs and face of this SX-780 were absolutely filthy, but look at it now!

[kretinus]

Originally Posted by Tapehead47

aircraft windshield polish? Where can I get that?

Look in the yellow pages for aircraft maintenance, or call your local airports FBO.

BTW, I see a spec of dust on the lower right hand corner of that faceplate, horrible, absolutely horrible

[jimbofish]

Originally Posted by Tapehead47

aircraft windshield polish? Where can I get that?

If you don't have an aircraft store nearby, Meguire's, the car wax people, make a three step system -cleaner, polish, wax- that comes in maroon bottles. Use the #2 polish. You might have to go to an auto parts store since most big box discount places don't sell it. I've used it to rescue a pair of plastic lens eyeglasses that the optometrist couldn't clean. Works great on TT dustcovers.

[brutal]

I've had great results with Meguiars Scratch-x Scratch and Swirl remover (auto detailing product.)

[Fat_Elvis]

Good thread--I was already wondering about this subject.

Originally Posted by kretinus

For silver face stuff I use one of those "magic erasers" cut into wedges, dampened with Windex, just avoid the lettering, it's mildly abrasive, like rubbing compound.

I like this idea because it involves stuff I already have laying around the house

I am kind of distrustful of Simple Green. I once accidentally destroyed a bathroom mirror using Simple Green to clean it. I think it chemically etched the glass because the mirror developed a haze that never came off. I don't remember the details because it was long ago. I might have been using undiluted concentrate or something.

[doublecee]

Thanks guys!

I shall have a go at the weekend and maybe post some pics of the set up all nice and shiny!

Craig

[Tapehead47]

All those ideas are invigorating! I like the aircraft windshield polish idea the best. A product I've never tried. Aircraft stuff is usually of the highest quality.

I've used automotive polishes and waxes. Nu-Finish works great, too. Comes off very easily. And it works great on automobiles, too .

I have some Maguires stuff around. Haven't tried it on my audio gear yet, but I'm about to.

I've also used Armorall. Vodka is a good cleaner, too! I guess I've tried almost every household cleaner/degreaser/polish/wax/oil/solvent available. Even mineral spirits!

I don't recommend laquer thinner!

Rick