Turn Signal and Windshield Washer Switch

[ClassicCamper]

Is it ok if I put this in my sonic parts washer? Washer is currently filled with simple green. I was thinking to turn the temp to warm. The stalk is so filled with grit/grime, that the turn signal will not self-return after making a turn. It tries to, but it's too gunked up:

Once I take it out, I was going to spray on some contact cleaner, then WD-40 or the like and finally some Sil-Glyde on the moving parts. Also, want to make sure the symbols on the stalk don't wash off in the cleaner. Advice? Thanks!
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1973 412 Wagon
1976 Westy
1978 SB Vert

[ClassicCamper]

Also, this part fell off the turn signal / WS washer assembly:

Any idea where it goes?
_________________
1973 412 Wagon
1976 Westy
1978 SB Vert

[raygreenwood]

NO!....DO NOT put that in your parts washer....and do not use Simple Green on it.

Not being pointy...... ....but I have to make this point again and I hope many are reading this.

Do not use Simple Green on plastics of unknown chemistry. Also.....and especially....do not use simple green on old plastics. And I would not use an ultrasonic parts washer on that part.

Why:

Do you notice that the plastic the steering collar mechanism is made of has yellowed over the years? This is one of the primary red flags that it is NYLON 6.
Nylon 6 is notorious for absorption of moisture. This causes it to become a bit disconnected at a molecular level. It loses impact strength and becomes brittle.
If the moisture or water that was on the nylon for long periods.....is from ground water....it actually promotes a fungus which is responsible for the nylon that turns to crunchy mush.....that shatters when you put any load on it at all...like you find in the centerlink and what happens to the spacers under the Palnuts for your fender trim.

The chemistry issue:
Simole green is not simple. Its a very strong surfactant. Its also an environmental pollutant that is cumulative and kills aquatic life......its dirty little secret.

Its only asset in my opinion is that it is a good cleaner with a stable PH...but at 8.5 to 9.5 PH.....its just at the fringe of being alkaline. Its what makes it cut grease well.....without being actively caustic.

Simple green will exploit aged plastic with poor chemistry.....especially when applied with ultrasonic. There are several chemicals In simple green that are borderline.....rate a B or C on nylon 6 compatability list. Add to this the borderline PH......and if you inspect this part....the blinker assembly in a bright light.....you can see hairline cracks from age. The simple green will exploit these. The dstergent/surfactant level of simple green is huge.

I hear people all the time saying I have used this or that chemical,quite a bit. Never had a problem. Yeah.....wait 5-7 years...or less. What might have lasted another 20 years will fail earlier because of the use of incompatible chemistry.


Also...Isopropyl alcohol is terrible for nylon 6. You can use ethyl alcohol with no problems.
MEK...methyl ethyl keytone.....is actually excellent with this and all nylons and so are most straight mineral spirits and xylene. So is toluene and xylene.

DO not use a carb cleaner spray because most contain isopropyl alcohol. Even though most of what is in carb cleaner I listed above.....is fine. I would keep water away from this part altogether. Ray

[titan3c]

I just now read this, and wish I had learned this sometime back. It explains some problems I had. Simple Green isn't as simple.

BTW also I didn't know that any type 4 had the windshield washer control on the steering column. Mine is a 71 and the windshield washer is center push button on the windshield wiper switch on the dash. Is this all different on the later 412's? Bob

[raygreenwood]