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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: motorollin on December 13, 2007, 04:35:45 PM
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Though this is not an Amiga query, I'm hoping someone who has experience of cleaning up old Amigas can help me.
I bought a Tatung Einstein from eBay for my other half for Christmas (it was his childhood computer and he always speaks fondly of it, so I found one for him). It is in average condition, with one crack in the case, but other than that ok. It's quite dusty, both inside the case and on the housing too. There's an accumulation of dust in the grooves of the ventilation, and the case and keyboard are generally quite mucky.
I'm thinking of getting some cotton buds to clean it up, and am wondering if there is a substance I can use to clean it safely? Something which would get most of the ingrained dirt and dust off without damaging the plastic.
TIA
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moto
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Hi Moto,
My recommendation (assuming this is something you need to treat delicately) would be to start with a little distilled water. A small dilution of vinegar will help with the cleaning aspect, and won't leave an odor (or soap residue) after drying.
This has worked well for me in the past, and the vinegar helps get rid rid of the musty "old hardware" smell.
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Thanks Damion. I will give that a try. I'm guessing a chemist will sell distilled water?
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moto
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motorollin wrote:
Thanks Damion. I will give that a try. I'm guessing a chemist will sell distilled water?
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moto
Sure, and often you can find it grocery stores, same section as the bottled drinking water. (I require a healthy supply to keep my venus fly-traps alive... :lol:)
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I knew a tech who refurbished smoke damaged electronics for a fire insurance company, so the company didn't have to replace the gear :)
He would hang the parts from line and spray them down with de-ionized water - this is not the same thing as distilled water. After cleaning, the parts would go into a low temp oven for drying.
He claimed nothing got damaged, and it was a great way to clean keyboards.
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I always used Windex until I found out about Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. They are the BEST thing I have ever found to clean computer cases, keyboards, everything. Just don't use them on any decals or painted logos. Most of the time they will be okay, but there are certain types of paint used in logos, etc. that didn't bond well to the plastic and can be rubbed off with these Magic Erasers.
An even better thing to do (which will get it looking like new) is to take the computer apart (if you are technically inclined) so all you have is the plastic shell. Put that in the dish washer. It will come out looking like it has newly arrived from the factory. It's amazing really.
In fact, you can put circuit boards in a dishwasher and it will clean them without harming them. Just make sure they are completely dry (like for a week) before using them again.
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I'd just use general cleaning stuff. Liquid cleanser and cloth like you use cleaning furnitures (and daily used computer stuff) etc in your home :) Has worked just fine here. For outside things like case and keyboard only of course. Also removing all plastic parts and sinking them on water with some cleanser and rubbing them with something is easy and efficient :)
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there`s no need to buy distilled water, just put a plastic container out when it rains, (not a metal one)
to clear out the dust, use the wife`s makeup brush and the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
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Given the cold weather at the moment, I don't think it will rain enough between now and Christmas :-)
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moto
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Hoovers even work nicely sometimes, just be carefull if your hoovering inside.
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tokyoracer wrote:
Hoovers even work nicely sometimes, just be carefull if your hoovering inside.
Indeed, especially vacuum brush-attachments since they can deliver a nice static blast to your equipment.
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An even better thing to do (which will get it looking like new) is to take the computer apart (if you are technically inclined) so all you have is the plastic shell. Put that in the dish washer. It will come out looking like it has newly arrived from the factory. It's amazing really.
In fact, you can put circuit boards in a dishwasher and it will clean them without harming them. Just make sure they are completely dry (like for a week) before using them again.
I usally put the parts in the oven (hot-air) Temp: 50C. Any temperature that won't burn your fingers will do :-)
1 Hour, and you are ready to go :-)
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ral-clan wrote:
An even better thing to do (which will get it looking like new) is to take the computer apart (if you are technically inclined) so all you have is the plastic shell. Put that in the dish washer. It will come out looking like it has newly arrived from the factory. It's amazing really.
In fact, you can put circuit boards in a dishwasher and it will clean them without harming them. Just make sure they are completely dry (like for a week) before using them again.
I have done this with amiga 1200 case keyboard etc , i have a mobo that is quite dodgy i may try to put that in there to try it out :-D if it works well"erhmm or works as sometimes refuse to boot now" after the treatment i will surely put a functioning mobo later on ... I plan to dry it in the MICRO for 3 hours would that be sufficient ?
Note i am just joking :lol: :lol: :lol: 45 celcius in oven ....
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In fact, you can put circuit boards in a dishwasher and it will clean them without harming them. Just make sure they are completely dry (like for a week) before using them again.
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With the dishwasher do you use any of those tablets/powders. Or just let it wash with just water?
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There used to be a product called "Dipp It" that was for cleaning coffee makers, that did a GREAT job of cleaning old plastic! It is no longer on the market, but if you track down what was in it....
I have seen good results from placing plastic case parts in a dish washer with a regular dish washing pellet. You need to be very careful about the water temp! Cooler is better...
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As I refurnish and clean commodore gear quite often here's where I usually start separating items.
C64/128 gear - top case, keyboard, bottom case, motherboard, power supply, mouse.
Amiga gear - keyboard, case, motherboard, cards, mouse, external power supply.
Windex or Glass-Plus for general cleaning, or wipe down. Awesome Orange degreaser and Scrub-It Quick Eraser clean up fouled keyboards, cases, and any exterior items. Finish with bottle sprayer filled with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol. I use a 35PSI air compressor (with nozzle tip) to blow away excess. Hang or suppend items to air-dry.
For the boards I use an spray electronic contact cleaner on the boards. For battery issues the area is cleaned with a chemical battery cleaner, and finished up as above. Seal battery area with clear finger nail polish.
Additonal tools: welder flux brushes and small nylon paint brushes to scrub air vents in top case covers (64/128). Q-tips or similiar on keyboards, mouse, etc.
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I usually dismantle the unit (case top/bottom, motherboard, keyboard) and wash the casing in warm soapy water, using a soft toothbrush to clean any hard-to-reach spots or small grilles and the like.
I also use citrus oil based solvents to remove paint/ink/scuffs/glue - but be careful with that stuff, although it's kind on the hands and natural, it will strip paint/varnish (which I discovered when the bottle leaked all over my new bedroom dressing table!).
I also usually take all the key-caps off and scrub them in the same manner as the case.
I then just dry it all with a towel and let any additional moisture air-dry over a couple of hours...
Cheers,
Mike.
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Got a can of compressed air today to blow away what I thought was just dust on the PCB. Turned out to be grime stuck fast to the board! Is there anything I can do to remove this without damaging any components?
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moto
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Hey Moto: I can't help too much about the PCB.. I know that the guy who restored my 2 4000's, soaks PCB's in a mild acid solution to clean the gunk off. That approach may more trouble than you want to go through tho....
As for the case, I would recommend the Windex / Magic Eraser bit... but also a product called Novus Plastic Polish, it comes in 2 grades, available from a company here in the US called Micro-Mark.. I think it's www.micromark.com ... This stuff has done wonders for my C-128's and Dreamcast systems...
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Hi Marc, thanks for your suggestion (also others :-) )
I'm really nervous about soaking the PCB in anything, or spraying it with anything. The machine works, so I think I'll leave it alone :-)
I couldn't get any distilled water so I ended up using warm soapy water (used washing up liquid!) and scrubbed the case with a toothbrush. It is still a bit yellow, but I don't know what colour an Einstein is supposed to be. It's very clean now at least. I also removed all the keys from the keyboard and put them through the dishwasher, and they came out lovely!
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moto