I have read on here and other places about "washing" tuning capacitors. I have one that is pretty dirty and could use a washing but I have never done it before. Can someone explain the process to me? I am most worried about what would happen to the trimmer capacitor on it if it were exposed to water....

Thanks, Chris

Hi Chris

Remove the tuner from your radio. Remove the screw in the trimmers and carefully take out the mica insulation. If you don't it will trap water that could take days to dry.

You can wash the tuner using just dish soap and water if you like. Try not to bend the tuner plates.

Norm

:I have read on here and other places about "washing" tuning capacitors. I have one that is pretty dirty and could use a washing but I have never done it before. Can someone explain the process to me? I am most worried about what would happen to the trimmer capacitor on it if it were exposed to water....
:
:Thanks, Chris

I just cleaned mine with brake(not carb cleaner) spray cleaner. Dries in a second and removes all the dirt. Just dont get it on anything but the fins. There are other cleaners similar that dry in a second. I heard that tuner cleaners have a lube in them so I would not think that would be good.

After a thorough cleaning, you might want to consider re-lubricating the bearings.

Rich

:I just cleaned mine with brake(not carb cleaner) spray cleaner. Dries in a second and removes all the dirt. Just dont get it on anything but the fins. There are other cleaners similar that dry in a second. I heard that tuner cleaners have a lube in them so I would not think that would be good.

Given the construction of most tuning condensers, you can get the brake cleaner on anything you wish. Spray it on the bearings and whatever you like. It'll remove all grease from all areas. Personally, I use mineral spirits. Gasoline would suffice. Then I wash the unit in soap and hot water to remove all of the product. Finally I dry it in my oven at a little less than 170 degrees. I turn the oven on and allow it to cycle once, and then I turn it back off. The residual heat will dry the condenser, including the trimmers. No need to disassemble them.

Thomas

I first wash/spray the tuner with "BAM" (purple bottle) not the green one... Theat BAM realy cleans up tarnished metal nicely... just a cpl minuets..
then Wash again in dish washing liquid and hot water and with all plates fully oppen I agitate it vigorisly under the soapy water. Then a thorough rinse in HW and shaken out to dry ... I also leave it in warm oven or on top of stove where the pilot light heats the stovetop... I just leave it there over night.
A hair drier works nicely too.
After reinstalling I use white grease like (Lubriplate) on the bearings.

BTW... when removing a tuning condenser I find that the rubber mounting grommets usually are cracked, dried and brittle... so I keep a nice assortment of new flexible rubber grommets on hand and replace them on every radio

Chris,
I just tried some "Goddards Silver Dip" on a tuning cap, and it cleaned up the brass and frame real nice. Apply with an acid brush, rinse in hot water, then blow dry. There are others too, available in most drug stores. I had cleaned it earlier with some pretty harsh stuff to get the goo and grime off, (which tarnished it)and then followed with the silver dip. Make sure you clean the area where the brass "frame contact" rubs against the rotor shaft, otherwise good contact may be lost and noisy tuning will occur.

marv

:I have read on here and other places about "washing" tuning capacitors. I have one that is pretty dirty and could use a washing but I have never done it before. Can someone explain the process to me? I am most worried about what would happen to the trimmer capacitor on it if it were exposed to water....
:
:Thanks, Chris