Cleaning a new RBA

[dhansak]

How do you go about it?   I have just received my new Taifun GT (clone) - it looks and feels pretty sweet! But there is the faintest  smell of machine oil from the base - so I figure a good clean is in order before I try my first coil build!   . I don't have an ultrasonic cleaner so will have to take a low tech route...   can't seem to disassemble the base that the build deck sits on so the cleaning method would have to penetrate the gubbins there somehow...

Thanks

[zeldamum]

Give it a rinse out then leave it to soak in a denture tablet over night.

[chykensa]

Warm slightly soapy water and an old toothbrush is what I use, then plenty of rinsing with warm water and leave to dry. My Russian still had a faint oil smell, but after the first tank disappeared.
Have fun dhansak!!

[spikus]

I pop it in a mug of very hot warm water and a little bit of washing up liquid and attack it with an old tooth brush ...give it a good rinse then leave it to soak for a while in vodka or gin ... Then another rinse ... Dry it off and Bob's your uncle . ... Very lo-tech but seems to work

[dhansak]

Thanks spikus. Do you take the o-rings off first? Wasn't sure if the hot water would do the rubber in...

Darn - have no gin or vodka in the house - would any spirit do? I could sacrifice some Jack Daniels for a good cause

Alternatively I do have some methelated spirits and acetone - I use them for thouroughly degreasing arrows before I refletch them. Don't know if either would leave a residue though

[dhansak]

Thanks zeldamum and chykensa- sorry didn't see your replies - went straight to the thread from notifications and it took me to the bottom post from spikus so I didn't realise there were other replies - distracted by irritating Microsoft messages from my wife's pc which I am rebuilding in the corner

Perfect timing - was about to throw out an old tootbrush - it is reborn in a new role! Also sure I have some denture stuff somewhere - it's really good for getting stubborn tea stains off cups...

[spikus]

I believe the clear colourless alcohol is less likely to leave behind any residue ... It's just some thing to cut through the grease .... Not sure if Meths / white spirit would be suitAble ... It would do the job but you've gotta remember your gonna be sucking on this thing !!.... . ... And no .. I don't bother removing o rings

[Perpetua]

There's also Isopropyl Alcohol if you'd rather be glugging your Voddie dhansak.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100ml-CLASSIKOOL-70-PURE-ISOPROPYL-RUBBING-ALCOHOL-30-PURE-DISTILLED-WATER-/360903703439?pt=UK_BOI_Medical_Lab_Equipment_Lab_Supplies_ET&hash=item5407897b8f

[andy01424]

Sonic cleaner if you have an Aldi near you
allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com/thread/38110/ultrasonic-cleaners-aldi-12-99?page=1&scrollTo=661204

[dhansak]

Thanks Perpetua and andy01424

The isopropyl looks handy - will check it out later - am chomping at the bit to to do my first build so may have to check out Aldi! - can't find the cleaner on their web site though. Meanwhile have my atty soaking in washing up liquid and hottish water - its about to be attacked with a toothbrush! Prob leave it overnight in the denture powder if I can find it and do a build tomorrow... patience... patience...


doh - wrote this ages ago but didn't post it - my poor sad brain ....

[Deleted]

Soda crystals, what my Gran called washing soda, is just about as low tech as you can get, but still one of the most effective de-greasing/cleaning agents. Cheap as chips as well.

IPA is good for cleaning electrical contacts but I'd use 99.9% 

[dhansak]

Thanks Scooby - hadnt even thought of soda crystals - nice one. Meanwhile the other half had a revelation for me - we have 25 year old bottle of Smirnoff at the back of the cupboard - 99% full. It even moved house with us! My gear is now having a nice alcoholic soak

[chykensa]

25 years old!!!! - you should be drinking that, not soaking your atties in it!! Blimey, where do you live again, I'll be around and help you through it if it's too much for you

[lairey]

25 years???? I'm lucky if a bottle of vodka lasts 25 days in my house

[dhansak]

chykensa lairey - I'm not really trying am I? Put it this way - I really. really like Jack Daniels. My OH buys me a bottle every xmas. Sometimes - I haven't finished the last bottle yet