What's a good way to clean tubes w/o taking off the labeling?

TubeHead Johnny · 13th June 2008, 10:04 PM

Cleaning fingerprints (and other dirt) using Windex will undoubtedly take off the lettering of some of our precious tubes. (I found out the hard way) What do you guys use? I know I should use a glove when handling, but sometimes I forget or it's inconvenient. Any ideas?

TubeHead Johnny · 14th June 2008, 02:36 PM

Anybody? There has to be something out there.

Conrad Hoffman · 14th June 2008, 03:04 PM

I've had a lot of tubes where rubbing of any sort will remove the white lettering. I don't worry so much about it, but just try to make sure I know what the tube is!

thevoice · 15th June 2008, 07:02 AM

If they are really filthy from sitting in a shed for 50 years I just use warm water, maybe with a bit of soap. Sometimes the printing comes off, but I've not found a way around that.

If they are not so dirty I don't worry about it.

Tweeker · 15th June 2008, 10:03 AM

A cotton swab can at least clean the parts that arent lettered.

kevinkr · 15th June 2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tweeker
A cotton swab can at least clean the parts that arent lettered.

That's what I do too, usually with 90% rubbing alcohol. (Or methylated spirits in the UK IIRC..)

dnsey · 15th June 2008, 08:46 PM

I've long wondered why the 'consumer' numbers are printed using such an ephemeral process, especially as house numbers are often robustly engraved on the same tubes.
Does anyone know?

AVWERK · 15th June 2008, 10:55 PM

Funny this comes up as I just pulled a box down of 12xx's containing real telefunkens, Amperexs, and some gold Aero's.
I had wrapped them in 1/4 foam that rotted over them. just grreeaatt

Whats left is a sticky goo all over them.

I used hot water with the spray wand and some 409 cleaner.
I got most of it off with a light cloth to finish up. Saved about 90% of the lettering

Hope this works for you

Regards
David

Wikkid · 15th June 2008, 11:04 PM

'fraid there isn't really much of a way to do it, other than
just (carefully) cleaning all the areas around the writing...

cerrem · 15th June 2008, 11:12 PM

I use fine steel wool to clean glass...I make sure to avoid the letters...

Chris

13th June 2008, 10:04 PM	#1
TubeHead Johnny diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The emerald city, Seattle, WA.	What's a good way to clean tubes w/o taking off the labeling? Cleaning fingerprints (and other dirt) using Windex will undoubtedly take off the lettering of some of our precious tubes. (I found out the hard way) What do you guys use? I know I should use a glove when handling, but sometimes I forget or it's inconvenient. Any ideas? __________________ "No man really becomes a fool until he stops asking questions" - Charles Proteus Steinmetz

14th June 2008, 02:36 PM	#2
TubeHead Johnny diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The emerald city, Seattle, WA.	Anybody? There has to be something out there. __________________ "No man really becomes a fool until he stops asking questions" - Charles Proteus Steinmetz

14th June 2008, 03:04 PM	#3
Conrad Hoffman diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canandaigua, NY USA	I've had a lot of tubes where rubbing of any sort will remove the white lettering. I don't worry so much about it, but just try to make sure I know what the tube is! __________________ I used to be an audiophool like you but then I took an arrow to the knee.

15th June 2008, 10:03 AM	#5
Tweeker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio	A cotton swab can at least clean the parts that arent lettered. __________________ Be sure your foil hat has a good low impedance ground.

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15th June 2008, 07:02 AM	#4
thevoice diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Melbourne Again	If they are really filthy from sitting in a shed for 50 years I just use warm water, maybe with a bit of soap. Sometimes the printing comes off, but I've not found a way around that. If they are not so dirty I don't worry about it.

15th June 2008, 08:46 PM	#7
dnsey diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Shropshire, England	I've long wondered why the 'consumer' numbers are printed using such an ephemeral process, especially as house numbers are often robustly engraved on the same tubes. Does anyone know?

15th June 2008, 10:55 PM	#8
AVWERK diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: OC,Calif.	Funny this comes up as I just pulled a box down of 12xx's containing real telefunkens, Amperexs, and some gold Aero's. I had wrapped them in 1/4 foam that rotted over them. just grreeaatt Whats left is a sticky goo all over them. I used hot water with the spray wand and some 409 cleaner. I got most of it off with a light cloth to finish up. Saved about 90% of the lettering Hope this works for you Regards David

15th June 2008, 11:04 PM	#9
Wikkid diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Florida	'fraid there isn't really much of a way to do it, other than just (carefully) cleaning all the areas around the writing...

15th June 2008, 11:12 PM	#10
cerrem diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Diego, CA	I use fine steel wool to clean glass...I make sure to avoid the letters... Chris

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