TheSamba.com :: View topic - Cleaning a Split semaphore switch, any tips?

Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:22 am

I have a semaphore switch which is rather dirty, since it came off a Split that was standing in the forest for 25 years. I tried to clean it with things ranging from thinner to oven cleaner, but I can't get it really clean.
Any tips anyone?

Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:42 am

Hang it up side down , in realy hot water with some Soda cristals in it for a hour clean it with some clear water and It will look like new !
I clean all my greasy and dirty parts with that product ,its realy amazing!
Also perfect for Interiours ( no cloth) Plastic, metal, leather etc !

Guido

Wed Nov 05, 2008 2:44 am

Just make sure you rinse all of the sodawater out of the internals and dry it fast so you dont get any oxidations on the metalparts inside the switch...

Wed Nov 05, 2008 2:49 am

squirt some WD 40 or electrical contact cleaner in it just to be sure.
i clean most of my parts with hot water and soda, sometimes some oven cleaner dust and scotchbrite sponge...

Wed Nov 05, 2008 10:53 am

eurodub wrote: squirt some WD 40 or electrical contact cleaner in it just to be sure.
i clean most of my parts with hot water and soda, sometimes some oven cleaner dust and scotchbrite sponge...

WD-40 and contact cleaner are very different substances.

If you do a soda-soak, you will want to rinse well and, ideally, spray a moisture displacing solvent inside as best you can. I have done this with starter buttons as well.

Some electrical contact cleaners are moisture displacing (read the label) but most are just degreasers/light solvents and rely on the velocity of the spray to move particulates. They evaporate very quickly. May not be all that effective since you can't really direct the spray inside the switch directly.

WD-40 is a light, non persistent machine oil and contains Napatha, a solvent. As such, it will stay on the surfaces for a while, but as a light oil, it will evaporate. I would not recommend that. If you are trying to free up a sticky switch, use a persistent lubricant like white lithium grease, or a machine oil.

I think directing compressed air from a pin point blow gun would displace most of the water inside, and since the contacts and metal parts are brass alloys, corrosion should not be much of an issue, but rinse it well with clear water first....

Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:05 am

johnshenry wrote: eurodub wrote: squirt some WD 40 or electrical contact cleaner in it just to be sure.
i clean most of my parts with hot water and soda, sometimes some oven cleaner dust and scotchbrite sponge...

WD-40 and contact cleaner are very different substances.

If you do a soda-soak, you will want to rinse well and, ideally, spray a moisture displacing solvent inside as best you can. I have done this with starter buttons as well.

Some electrical contact cleaners are moisture displacing (read the label) but most are just degreasers/light solvents and rely on the velocity of the spray to move particulates. They evaporate very quickly. May not be all that effective since you can't really direct the spray inside the switch directly.

WD-40 is a light, non persistent machine oil and contains Napatha, a solvent. As such, it will stay on the surfaces for a while, but as a light oil, it will evaporate. I would not recommend that. If you are trying to free up a sticky switch, use a persistent lubricant like white lithium grease, or a machine oil.

I think directing compressed air from a pin point blow gun would displace most of the water inside, and since the contacts and metal parts are brass alloys, corrosion should not be much of an issue, but rinse it well with clear water first....
I agree with John, WD 40 is not good for electrical contacts !
After cleaning the switch with Soda, I spray clear water on the switch and after that I try to spray Break cleaner in the switch, After that just a litlle contact spray !
I never had problems with a switch or starter button after cleaning them that way !

Guido

Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:42 am

Now I have seen two things; contact cleaner and contact spray, what are we talking about here?
Contact cleaner cleans the green stuff from the contacts of a switch or a fuse box. Isn't WD40 some kind of contact spray then?
Any suggestion what to use from a well known brand (Motip for instance)?

I always thought that you could use WD40 to solve any problem; lubricating, stop squeaking, cleaning, etc. If your car doesn't start, just spray a little WD40 under the hood and voila, the car runs like new ;)

Does anybody know JB80? It is a little greasier than WD40 and doesn't vapourize that fast. What's your opinion about the WD40 ripp off?
(Hence, look at their slogun: JB80; twice as good! ) :D

Thu Nov 06, 2008 6:30 am

rainierdeklark wrote: I have a semaphore switch which is rather dirty, since it came off a Split that was standing in the forest for 25 years. I tried to clean it with things ranging from thinner to oven cleaner, but I can't get it really clean.
Any tips anyone?

The original question seems to really ask how to remove the dirt from the cosmetic switch surfaces? I suspect that if thinner, cleaners, rubbing compounds, etc haven't removed the "dirt", what you really have there are deeply penetrated stains in the bakelite.

Over the years bakelite and plastic bits will take on non-uniform patinae for a dozen reasons, and it will vary greatly depending on how its aged and what elements have touched those surfaces over the years. Likely some of it could maybe be removed from light sanding and repolishing, but its mostly likely a permanent condition. You could keep at sanding deeper and deeper but at some point it might weaken the part or change its shape too much.

If there is some question about the internals and the contacts, I wouldn't fuss about that too much, most of those surfaces have been protected over the years except from perhaps some oxidation internally. But if it moves/actuates you should be in ok shape actuating it a couple dozen times to burnish up the contact spots. If its stuck you can first try what is more commonly called "tuner spray" or years ago at your local electronics shop they use to call it "TV tuner", believe its the same as Contact spray too. Its specifically made for being used on electrical parts and is perfectly safe. Even a couple quick shots of that will help anyways. Good luck.

Gary