Cleaning up baked enamel/painted finishes

[Glowbug]

My amp chassis are Hammond steel ones that have a black baked enamel finish on them...long story short, there's a bit of an oil-based wood stain on them. What would you guys suggest to take the stain off without damaging the finish underneath?

Also, I've got to dust/clean them off anyway. What would you guys suggest for that, and maybe something to remove surface dirt/contaminates? The finish on the transformers is painted...I'm a little worried about scratching that....

Thanks guys 😎

 

[CarlyBoy]

To keep the integrity of the original finish I'd start off with the most innocuous substance possible and work my way up. Since you're trying to remove oil, stay away from anything water based. How about mineral oil?

 

[kuroguy]

try Naphtha. I've never had it remove hardened enamel, but it will remove most new oil based mistakes.

 

[HollowState]

Some things I would try. Polishing compound found in auto stores. It's a past that you rub on but it's milder then rubbing compound which is more aggressive. Mother's Mag Wheel polish. And something called AFTA. It's available from places like Home Depot back in the glue/paint area. It's an inhibited organic solvent, and it won't attack well cured paint.