How I Won The War On Grime

5/8/2011 5:42:23 PMDaniel

Previously I wrote asking how to remove a grimy film on a 1940's painted glass slide rule dial. Denatured Alcohol and Mineral Spirits were suggested responses. Well, I first tried the alcohol, did nothing, and then the mineral spirits; also no effect. I was pretty surprised at that point - glass cleaner, dish detergent and two solvents had done nothing at all to clean up this dial!

Then I thought about the spot remover for carpets that I have around the house. Finally - eureka! The grime completely vanished in minutes and WITHOUT removing any paint! The product is called "TECH" Stain Remover made by Tech Enterprises of Madison, Wisconsin. It is sold at ACE Hardware Stores. If you should ever come across a glass dial with a dirty film that won't budge, try this stuff!

Another cleaning trick I discovered for cleaning up those filthy steel chassis is "Turtle Wax" Brand "Bug and Tar Remover". I use a toothbrush to work this product into the metal, let it sit a few minutes and wipe with a rag or sponge. It cleans fast and deep into the metal. Please note that I have only used it on steel - don't know what it would do to aluminum and I doubt it's a good choice for chrome or brass. Be careful not to let this stuff get on trimmer or variable capacitors!

5/9/2011 12:45:09 AMDale

:Previously I wrote asking how to remove a grimy film on a 1940's painted glass slide rule dial. Denatured Alcohol and Mineral Spirits were suggested responses. Well, I first tried the alcohol, did nothing, and then the mineral spirits; also no effect. I was pretty surprised at that point - glass cleaner, dish detergent and two solvents had done nothing at all to clean up this dial!
:
:Then I thought about the spot remover for carpets that I have around the house. Finally - eureka! The grime completely vanished in minutes and WITHOUT removing any paint! The product is called "TECH" Stain Remover made by Tech Enterprises of Madison, Wisconsin. It is sold at ACE Hardware Stores. If you should ever come across a glass dial with a dirty film that won't budge, try this stuff!
:
:Another cleaning trick I discovered for cleaning up those filthy steel chassis is "Turtle Wax" Brand "Bug and Tar Remover". I use a toothbrush to work this product into the metal, let it sit a few minutes and wipe with a rag or sponge. It cleans fast and deep into the metal. Please note that I have only used it on steel - don't know what it would do to aluminum and I doubt it's a good choice for chrome or brass. Be careful not to let this stuff get on trimmer or variable capacitors!

I remember a product called spray nine that worked good on dirt but watch out it destroys aluminum and probably most non ferrous metals. Auto-sol is a metal polish that works awesome, it even works on plastic, like cas headlights that have yellowed, this stuff shines them up like new.
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