Hi all,
A benefactor or someone with an ill intent has sprayed/splashed or applied some kind of smoking enhancer oil on an amplifier module (shown as my avatar). I sprayed the module several times and on separate occasions with a good quality contact cleaner. I would like to ask whether this is enough. In case the toroidal transformer is found to be contaminated with these hellish oils, what can I do?
Thanks for your replies.
A benefactor or someone with an ill intent has sprayed/splashed or applied some kind of smoking enhancer oil on an amplifier module (shown as my avatar). I sprayed the module several times and on separate occasions with a good quality contact cleaner. I would like to ask whether this is enough. In case the toroidal transformer is found to be contaminated with these hellish oils, what can I do?
Thanks for your replies.
90% Isopropyl Alcohol will most likely be your best friend for remediation. It should remove the smelly oils. Multiple cleanings may be necessary.
Transformer?
Varnish after cleaning.
Try soapy water before alcohol, soak in liquid dish wash water, as if it was a dirty utensil. An old tooth brush can be used to clean between pins.
Repeat if needed.
Hose it down, dry hanging over a sink, use a blower if needed.
Unless you apply power before properly drying off, it is a safe procedure.
Alcohol can remove the markings from components, and is volatile, a fire hazard, bear that in mind.
So I would use it after soapy water failed.
Varnish after cleaning.
Try soapy water before alcohol, soak in liquid dish wash water, as if it was a dirty utensil. An old tooth brush can be used to clean between pins.
Repeat if needed.
Hose it down, dry hanging over a sink, use a blower if needed.
Unless you apply power before properly drying off, it is a safe procedure.
Alcohol can remove the markings from components, and is volatile, a fire hazard, bear that in mind.
So I would use it after soapy water failed.
A technician told me that he put the circuit board in the dishwasher.
dave
dave
Why are you answering in this way? And including an Administrator?!
Smoking is a taboo?! Oh my, my! What is to come next?
Is not this forum intended for DIY audio enthusiasts?!
Smoking is a taboo?! Oh my, my! What is to come next?
Is not this forum intended for DIY audio enthusiasts?!
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Hi,
As a former studio technician i used dishwasher to clean desks's electronics cards polluted by sticky liquids ( of unknown origin) on multiple occasions.
Of course you need to dry them for a while after it but once there is no more humidity you can put them back at work.
You have to carefully check connectors, tiny space, etc,etc,... but basically most electronic components are 'sealed'.
Iow, it is a serious answer from experienced people.
As a former studio technician i used dishwasher to clean desks's electronics cards polluted by sticky liquids ( of unknown origin) on multiple occasions.
Of course you need to dry them for a while after it but once there is no more humidity you can put them back at work.
You have to carefully check connectors, tiny space, etc,etc,... but basically most electronic components are 'sealed'.
Iow, it is a serious answer from experienced people.
There no mention of smoking...
The person who applied it may have liked the fragrance...or may have been incoherent at the time of application.
The motive is speculation, AFAIK.
The technique is tried and trusted.
I put varnich on the track sides of computer SMPS, insurance against dust and moisture.
The person who applied it may have liked the fragrance...or may have been incoherent at the time of application.
The motive is speculation, AFAIK.
The technique is tried and trusted.
I put varnich on the track sides of computer SMPS, insurance against dust and moisture.
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Dishwasher detergent will eat aluminium (caustic soda), so maybe run it with just water
I don't know how many cycles to make a significant difference to any aluminium though
Brian
I don't know how many cycles to make a significant difference to any aluminium though
Brian
I posted my question to a technical forum to get technical replies. As far as I know, dishwashing liquid soap is NOT INTENDED to clean electronics and therefore, there is NO GUARANTEE these liquid soaps will NOT damage electronic parts.
In my cleaning procedure I used a good quality contact cleaner that is known not to attack electronic parts. I also used alcohol based disinfectants with a high concentration of alcohol. After that, I removed the residue using contact cleaner.
I must assume there are specific liquid cleaners intended for electronic devices. This is why I posted here.
In my cleaning procedure I used a good quality contact cleaner that is known not to attack electronic parts. I also used alcohol based disinfectants with a high concentration of alcohol. After that, I removed the residue using contact cleaner.
I must assume there are specific liquid cleaners intended for electronic devices. This is why I posted here.
Hi,
Where did you see anyone talked about soap before Brig001 rised the concern? I didn't as i never used it: water and temp have been enough in the case i faced.
This is how i understood other answers defending this approach too: you are not washing glasses after diner.
If you want to be serious about it an ultrasonic cleaner is all you need... without soap or other products.
Where did you see anyone talked about soap before Brig001 rised the concern? I didn't as i never used it: water and temp have been enough in the case i faced.
This is how i understood other answers defending this approach too: you are not washing glasses after diner.
If you want to be serious about it an ultrasonic cleaner is all you need... without soap or other products.
Do not use 90% Isopropyl Alcohol or any soap based tricks.
Use kerosene only. (no diesel or petrol) Universal non harmful cleaner, will not damage equipment.
After cleaning, Just allow sufficient time to evaporate by itself.
Regards
Use kerosene only. (no diesel or petrol) Universal non harmful cleaner, will not damage equipment.
After cleaning, Just allow sufficient time to evaporate by itself.
Regards
Liquid soap, car shampoo, hair shampoo are all based on LAB, Linear Alkyl Benzene, or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.
Caustic soda is not used, the query was about sticky oils.
Soap / detergent is best for oil, IME.
You will need lots of alcohol to achieve the same result as soapy water.
You can try a first pass with plain hot water under the sink, that will help a lot.
Not everybody has access to ultrasonic cleaners, they must be used properly.
Kerosene is sometimes hard to obtain, and takes days to dry.
Can damage insulation in windings, be careful about that.
Caustic soda is not used, the query was about sticky oils.
Soap / detergent is best for oil, IME.
You will need lots of alcohol to achieve the same result as soapy water.
You can try a first pass with plain hot water under the sink, that will help a lot.
Not everybody has access to ultrasonic cleaners, they must be used properly.
Kerosene is sometimes hard to obtain, and takes days to dry.
Can damage insulation in windings, be careful about that.
Heavy polluted boards can be cleaned with a water soap solution (the brand Dreft/Dawn/Fairy is quite good for this) and a brush and then they need to be sprayed with water only. Dry as fast as possible with cotton cloth/air but beware of using compressed air. The drying is very important so the solder won't get time to oxidize. A tooth brush can be used to clean solder oxides with a little isopropylalcohol. My habit is to replace electrolytic caps after this as I don't trust their seals to be waterproof and todays caps have steel lead wires as well.
I can't answer about the transformer as I never dealt with oils on transformers. Please be very careful not to use stuff that solves shellac/wire enamel.
I can't answer about the transformer as I never dealt with oils on transformers. Please be very careful not to use stuff that solves shellac/wire enamel.
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Electronic specific cleaners are used in factories, nobody sends parts to factories after dipping in oily stuff.
The trichloroethylene / CCl4 sort of cleaner would work, try finding it...Impossible here. Considered a carcinogen.
Benzene, again possible, expensive, carcinogen.
Naptha / lighter fluid? Try it if you feel like doing so.
Please, I have been down this road before, so think it over, decide, and do it, it is your property after all.
The trichloroethylene / CCl4 sort of cleaner would work, try finding it...Impossible here. Considered a carcinogen.
Benzene, again possible, expensive, carcinogen.
Naptha / lighter fluid? Try it if you feel like doing so.
Please, I have been down this road before, so think it over, decide, and do it, it is your property after all.
I asked a friend of mine who works professionally as a car, truck, motorcycle mechanic. He told me he uses a contact cleaner and sometimes break cleaner but warned me about using brake cleaner as this is more aggressive on parts.
I think another can of a good quality contact cleaner should be able to finish the cleaning. For sticky oils like smoking oils, I tried unperfumed talcum powder intended for babies which has a strong affinity for oils. Removing the talcum powder with a small brush and a low pressure air jet should work.
I think another can of a good quality contact cleaner should be able to finish the cleaning. For sticky oils like smoking oils, I tried unperfumed talcum powder intended for babies which has a strong affinity for oils. Removing the talcum powder with a small brush and a low pressure air jet should work.
Cans are mostly ozone depleting gas.
Powder can form lumps.
A form of lighter fluid is sold for cleaning fire arms (guns). Effective on oil.
Take care.
Powder can form lumps.
A form of lighter fluid is sold for cleaning fire arms (guns). Effective on oil.
Take care.
as other stated, 90% alcohol and toothbrush... on very dirty parts I use some sort of deoxit, or contact spray and rinse it warm water (luke warm) and hand soap if you want to be completly anal use destiled water... OH AND BE SURE TO DRY IT GOOD... can of air or air compressor might come in handy for quicker results
naphta is good too.. talcum might create sludge, and I'm not too sure will it have any effect on dried oil stains...
naphta is good too.. talcum might create sludge, and I'm not too sure will it have any effect on dried oil stains...
