Cleaning Transformers

[jaydisc]

Hey Guys,

I posted a while back about the best way to remove stickers and was suggested zippo/lighter fluid which worked a treat. I had asked if methylated spirits was too strong and a few said yes.

So, I've recently acquired some pretty dirty TFs and would like to clean them up.

* What kind of solvent if any can I use to remove dirt and grime?
* Can I remove rust from screws and rivets?

TIA

[kup]

I just use Isocol. Its soft on the plastic but dissolves the grime residue. Its also soft enough to be forgiving if you accidentally do a rub on a paintes surface (but dont do it often!)
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Extreme Vaporizer

[MV75]

If it's just dust/dirt, water will do fine.

As for rust, remove the screws and use some sort of rust removing chemical.

If it's rivits, I dunno, try and get some fine sand paper in there and sand the rust off.
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IPAD GUIDE

[Soundwarp]

You can pick up new screws or clean them with a solvent then at worst give them a silver paint.

[i_amtrunks]

Fresh Blutak is good for getting rid of dust, grime and even taking the top layer of rust off (when its really orange and flaky).

Also doesn't leave any residue, and does not require drying either.

[kup]

My way of dealing with Rusty screws:

Remove the screw and use sand paper remove the rust from the screw heads and then I just try to clean the 'screw driver' hole as best as I can witha metal pin or knife. If it still has an 'old' look after clean up I paint the head with metallic silver paint.

However if the screw is not just rusted in the surface but inside too (rare) then just replace it as it will likely break and cause trouble later on.
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Mercedes-Benz W220

[jaydisc]

Thanks for the tips everyone.

I just use Isocol. Its soft on the plastic but dissolves the grime residue. Its also soft enough to be forgiving if you accidentally do a rub on a paintes surface (but dont do it often!)

Any idea what's in Isocol? Or is it a protected secret? Do you know if there's any benefit of it over Isopropyl (Rubbing) Alcohol?

[gamblor916]

I think isocol is isopropyl alcohol with other stuff in it like fragrance and whatnot. Don't use it, it'll leave residue on whatever you're cleaning. Use 99% isopropyl alcohol. I found some in a hardware store ages ago for maybe $10 for a small bottle. Use a cotton swab dipped in the stuff to clean. If you have enough you can submerse bits in overnight to thoroughly clean something.
Warning! It will strip paint if you leave it long enough.

[dirge]

Isocol is just a branded Isopropanol. So yeah, it's fancy rubbing alcohol trying to convince you that it's better than the same stuff in other bottles (:

[TheDirtyDigger]

I use it at work and it's sold under the trade name 'Iso' here.
Any hardware store will have it.