From: Freeberg, Scott (STP)[SMTP:scott.freeberg@guidant.com]
Sent: Monday, December 13, 1999 9:26 AM
To: 'F W Mooney'; boatanchors@qth.net; 'hallicrafters@qth.net'
Subject: RE: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Fred,
Possibly you could summarize what cleaning methods were shared with you as many of us are faced with the same cleaning problems and wonder what others are doing.
I am still wondering whats best as my GOJO and toothbrush method is praised or criticized depending on who you talk to.
73, Scott WA9WFA in Saint Paul Minn
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From: F W Mooney[SMTP:fmooney@sprintmail.com]
Sent: Friday, December 10, 1999 11:15 PM
To: boatanchors@qth.net; 'hallicrafters@qth.net'
Subject: RE: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Thank you all for the overwhelming response to my posting asking about how to eliminate cigarette smoke smell in my newly acquired Hallicrafters boatanchor--48 replies! I think I could write a book on the subject now.
I especially liked the one that recommended engaging in heavy pipe smoking to supplant the smell.
- Fred M.
KA1DGL
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Submissions boatanchors@qth.net
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From: Joe Foley[SMTP:redmenaced@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, December 10, 1999 1:57 AM
To: boatanchors@qth.net
Subject: Re: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Hi Fred,
One thing to consider here, if you're going to work on the radio it'll take a few days to get it checked over and serviced by then most of the smell will be gone.
If you also use either Marvel Mystery Oil or your favorite gun oil to lube the gearsets and other mechanical parts when you warm up the radio the smell of the oil will overcome whatever cigarette smell is left and replace it with something more tolerable.
My R-390 A smells like Marvel oil, my URM 25 smells like gun oil and the T-368 smells like an old radio, what could be better?
Joe
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From: Roy Morgan[SMTP:roy.morgan@nist.gov]
Sent: Friday, December 10, 1999 9:40 AM
To: F W Mooney
Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
At 12:13 PM 12/9/99 -0600, you wrote:
>Greetings.
>
>I just bought a classic Hallicrafters S-38E from EBAY. Despite verifying with the seller that it had no cigarette odor, it does--it reeks of cigarette smoke.
Wash with water and simple green, lots of Windex, or dish soap. avoid getting too much water in the coil forms and compression trimmer caps. rinse with plenty of water, then distilled water,, dry in heat; lamps or a very hot dry climate in the summer like Phoenix.
> but how about the speaker cone?
Replace the speaker. or get it reconed. Antique speaker folks know of re-coning service: I ran into one recently.
Roy
- Roy Morgan
Keep em glowing! K1LKY since 1959
7130 Panorama Drive, Derwood MD 20855
301-330-8828
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From: Jerry Straight[SMTP:jerrys@ftp.xetron.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 1:56 PM
To: F W Mooney
Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Fred,
I haven't tried it but someone told me to set the radio in a plastic garbage bag next to a small plastic bowl full of that "ARM & HAMMER" carpet deoderizer (whatever scent you like) and carefully seal the bag, leaving it full of air. Let radio set in the bag for an hour or more until the smell is gone. This also assumes that you thoroughly cleaned the radio first but it still has some odors.
Supposedly this nearly will even get that mouse piss smell out of the old relics left in the barn!
Jerry
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From: w9htk@iquest.net[SMTP:w9htk@iquest.net]
Sent: Friday, December 10, 1999 12:23 AM
To: F W Mooney; 'boatanchors@qth.net'; Hallicrafters
Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Hi all. For the benefit of you smokers and non smokers, a comment from both sides of the smoking fence. I was a smoker, and now I've been a non smoker for 18+ years. If the seller smoked, he would not know that it had a cigarette odor. I didn't realize that the inability to smell smoke lingered for a few years. I can now tell if a letter comes into my office from a smoker. Probably the seller didn't realize that is smelled. Get some contact cleaner or tuner wash and wash the radio inside and out with it and that will help. The brown goo is oily or tar-like, so you will need to wash it maybe more than once. Leave the speaker cone alone or replace the speaker.
Thanx. Larry W9HTK (since 1954)
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From: Joe Foley[SMTP:redmenaced@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 12:07 PM
To: boatanchors@qth.net
Subject: Re: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Hully kow, Barry!
I just looked around my so-called shack, and y'know? You're right! Everything in here is either military or industrial,...........................COOL!!
Except for the Rat Shack amp hooked to the R-390 A, but that's only because I haven't found a tube amp,...........yet!!
I thought the reference to paint removal would be warning/caution enough. I was impressed that it did that. It saved me from having to repaint one of the URM-25D's, look's a whole lot better now that I have the crappy paint off. Now if I could get that audio oscillator to work.
---
Submissions boatanchors@qth.net
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From: Barry Hauser[SMTP:barry@hausernet.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 7:38 PM
To: Joe Foley; boatanchors@qth.net
Subject: Re: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Yeah, but Joe ...
This is a Hallicrafters he's dealing with. That finish varies in how it reacts to 409 and similar cleaners. Sometimes it works out OK, but it can dull some finishes and take silk screened lettering off with the dirt.
Best to try with plain mild soap first, let it soak a bit & apply some elbow grease. Might take a few application cycles. Somebody just recommended hand cleaner which is a whipped up petroleum product I think. Also has lanolin or whatever in it. Worth a try -- especially as suggested on wrinkle finishes which are a bear to clean. But the main thing is to try something mild first and test anything stronger on the bottom or where it won't show. (Altho' the paint on the bottom is often in better, less oxidized condition and may not fully represent what's going to happen up top.) Allow to dry before making a decision.
Over the past year, I've seen guys swear to 409 -- spray it on, let it soak, blast it off with a hose, then let it dry in the sun or in the oven on a low temp. But mil gear is one thing, and consumer stuff is another animal. Also depends on the condition of the finish -- if it's starting to peel, become porous, etc. An aluminum mil module with MFP all over it will likely stand up to the spray 'n blast. If you really have a gunk job, there's something called BH-38, and industrial cleaner that's about 30 times stronger than 409. In fact, I think they mix an ounce of this stuff with 31 oz. of water to make a quart of 409. I've personally had mixed results. Got away with it half the time, dulled the finish out the other half.
Also, when testing on an inconspicous spot, as someone wisely suggested, look at the paper towel or rag -- and use a white one. If removing dirt and tobacco tar, it should look tan or brown on the rag. If it's cutting the paint, you'll see some gray or green or whatever the cabinet color is. If the mild hand soap does it, fine. If not, you can always go for the stronger stuff.
So true -- if you smoke you can't tell -- or it smells nice to you! Of course, you can take up smoking, but ...
The only thing guaranteed: Your mileage will vary.
Barry
---
Submissions boatanchors@qth.net
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From: Joe Foley[SMTP:redmenaced@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 7:59 AM
To: boatanchors@qth.net
Subject: Re: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
GAG! Hack! Yack!!
If they smoke they can't tell if it stinks or not! I got a D-104 that was yellow, looked like it had been varnished. It was about that hard to clean up, too.
I swear by 409, soak it, it even takes off that cheap spray paint that the military uses and leaves the original paint clean, clean, clean.
Joe
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Submissions boatanchors@qth.net
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From: sx28@juno.com[SMTP:sx28@juno.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 6:02 PM
To: fmooney@sprintmail.com
Cc: boatanchors@qth.net; hallicrafters@qth.net
Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Okay here is my scents worth......wrap the offending radio in newspaper.
Toss in the package your favorite scent. If the radio is small try this. Take the back cover off your clothes drier, remove the belt from the drum and lay it aside. Put the radio in the dryer along with your favorite scent or a couple anti-static fabric softner sheets. Turn on the dryer on medium for about 30 minutes. Repeat if necessary. This method quickly removes the stink of Camels, or Lucky Strikes
Dan, Ni9y
http://NI9Y.tripod.com/ni9y.html
---
Submissions hallicrafters@qth.net
Subscriptions majordomo@qth.net
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From: Kevin Rank[SMTP:ksrank@erols.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 5:48 PM
To: Hallicrafters
Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Hi Fred-
I tend to agree with Barry Hauser about 409. It's pretty strong, and will definitely remove silkscreened or painted lettering on the chassis, control panels, or anything else it comes into contact with. I generally just use hot water (as hot as you can stand) to clean panels and glass with. "Glass Plus" or any other window cleaners leave streaks - try using straight hot water on your tuning dial windows (or car windows) inside and out and prepare to be amazed at the results.
On the chassis, I've had a lot of luck with Brasso. I had an old Fender amp with a fair amount of oxidation on the chassis. The Brasso did wonders. You could also try (believe it or not) lighter fluid. More mild than you would assume and will cut through a lot of gunk.
Vinegar will also absorb smoke odors. I don't know if I'd try it directly, but it you have a part such as your speaker you can leave suspended over a bowl of it for a day or two, you may have some success (maybe a screen over the bowl and the speaker on top of it).
The bottom line is, whatever you use, try it first in an inconspicuous area, let it dry, and see what it looks like.
Kevin
---
Submissions hallicrafters@qth.net
Subscriptions majordomo@qth.net
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From: sx28@juno.com[SMTP:sx28@juno.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 6:02 PM
To: fmooney@sprintmail.com
Cc: boatanchors@qth.net; hallicrafters@qth.net
Subject: [BoatAnchors] Re: [Hallicrafters] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Okay here is my scents worth......wrap the offending radio in newspaper. Toss in the package your favorite scent. If the radio is small try this.
Take the back cover off your clothes drier, remove the belt from the drum and lay it aside. Put the radio in the dryer along with your favorite scent or a couple anti-static fabric softner sheets. Turn on the dryer on medium for about 30 minutes. Repeat if necessary. This method quickly removes the stink of Camels, or Lucky Strikes
Dan, Ni9y
http://NI9Y.tripod.com/ni9y.html
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From: Bill Shaw[SMTP:w2hyn@frontiernet.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 5:48 PM
To: boatanchors@qth.net
Subject: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Here is one trick we used and it helped. Clean as much of it with 409 as you can. The one we had done with the 409 much of the yellow/brown stain from the smoke which had gotten on all of it was removed. Then I left it out in the sun outside opened up for fresh air to get to it. After a few days (no rain of course) the smell was just about gone. The trick though is to remove as much of the stain as possible. Good luck! 73's Bill - W2HYN
---
Submissions boatanchors@qth.net
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From: Barry Hauser[SMTP:barry@hausernet.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 5:00 PM
To: F W Mooney; hallicrafters@qth.net
Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Hi Fred:
Others have more experience with this than I do, but, here's my 2 cents anyway.
Some have suggested liberal use of 409, and many use this to de-gunk chassis, etc. reporting good results. There are 2 caveats: First, 409 and similar products are "ionizing" cleaners. Somebody posted a horror story about this stuff soaking into insulators -- ceramic/phenolic, etc. and rendering them conductive at high voltages due to the salts they leave behind that cannot be removed. So, if the chassis has such insulators, such as ceramic tube sockets, etc., you might want to avoid the soaking approach.
Secondly, these cleaners can dull some finishes and bakelite or phenolic knobs. If need be, use them, but be prepared to wax the cabinet if it's supposed to be glossy. Better to try a milder cleanser first -- like dishwashing liquid for hand washing. Better to use that on the cabinet with some elbow grease and repeated applications, that to kill the finish which has been preserved with cigarette tar.
Someone pointed out that the smoked up radios clean up better than the smoke free ones. To some extent the smelly veneer of tobacco tar is the functional equivalent of MFP -- the mildew fungus protection applied to military gear. Probably somewhat safer too, as the MFP stuff may contain mercury as well as formaldehyde in it's varnish mix. Similar color too.
BTW - a digression. One of the side effects of no smoking on airplanes is increased chance of catching a cold or the flu. Seems that I almost always come down with something after a flight. Asside from killing people, cigarette smoke -- nicotine, tar, etc., kills microbes and gunks up viruses in the air. At 30,000 feet, it's 50 below zero and outside air must be heated as it is brought into the cabin. The more fresh air, the lower the fuel economy, so since smoking has been prohibited, the fresh air mix has been typically reduced to about 5%, from 15-25% when smoking was allowed in the back. That means 95% recirculated. So, when someone sneezes in first class, the poor slob in the back of coach gets a full dose, with no tobacco poisons to cut the microbial count before it hits him. Probably don't see many bug bodies in that radio, do you? Not much risk of hanta virus either.
Maybe you should leave it that way and pick up a pair of nose clips. ;-)
Only kidding.
Not familiar with this radio and the makeup of the chassis. Probably cadmium plated steel with some aluminum parts? Some cleaners and alcohol, I believe, can produce a whitish corrosion looking coating. Best thing to try first is plain rubbing alchol (isopropyl). Not as effective as denatured alchohol, but less likely to do damage. Depending on the composition and condition of the chassis WD-40 can be effective as a cleaner also. Use a rag where you can reach and swabs where you can't, and keep at it until no more tan/brown comes off on 'em. BTW - WD-40 is good for cleaning the knobs. It doesn't dull them.
Try a small area first with whatever you plan to use and see what happens before committing to it (if this post isn't too late).
I have rehabbed speakers in the distant past, including glue-washes to firm up sagging speaker cones. It's dicey to soak them, but if you do, rest the speaker flat to dry. The risk is that it will warp as it dries and pull the voice coil to one side, causing it to rub. There are some specialists around who do re-coning. Perhaps a better idea is to replace the speaker with a new one, and carefully pack away the old one, when it comes time to sell or trade so the new owner has his option without harming the value of the unit. There is also that new "Fabreez" or whatever fabric spray for upholstery that's supposed to neutralize odor. If you're brave, you could try an even spray of the front of the cone and leave it laying flat to dry thoroughly before re-mounting. Trouble is, if the cone starts to wrinkle up and distort, well, it might smell better, but .... The other problem is that the surrounds on the old speakers are just made up of cone paper with embossed corrugation (waves) as a flex-joint. If t hese deform, you have another problem. Maybe you're just better off with a spritz of some kind of perfume or cologne, or counter-active fragrance (like the stuff for cat litter boxes). Or try that dryer sheet idea someone posted on. The tobacco tars might be the only thing preserving that old speaker.
Good luck,
Barry
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From: Reed Park[SMTP:reedpark@nbnet.nb.ca]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 4:27 PM
To: Dennis Breeden
Cc: F W Mooney; 'boatanchors@qth.net'; Hallicrafters
Subject: Re: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Dennis Breeden wrote:
> A trick I recently read in QST, toss a dryer sheet, maybe a couple, in the
> radio then wrap it up in a plastic bag. The smell should go away in a few
> days. The person did this for a speaker for a used rig. I also heard of
> people using the deodorizer used for cars to get rid of cigarette smell.
The dryer sheet is great. However, the other idea, about using a car deodorizer raises another question.
Q: How do you get rid of the car deodorizer smell ?
A: See answer 1 above. :-)
7 3
Reed
--
ARROW Research (Avro CF-105)
Reed Park
252 Gauvin Road
Dieppe, New Brunswick
Canada E1A1M1
Amateur Radio VE1NU
WW II, # 19 SET user
I.C.Q. # 4138282
---
Submissions boatanchors@qth.net
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From: Don Cunningham[SMTP:wb5hak@texhoma.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 4:41 PM
To: F W Mooney
Subject: Re: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Fred,
Check with a good dry cleaner's in your area. I am told that they use a machine (think it's called an "ozone chamber" or something like that) to take smoke damage out of drapes and other items. It is a dry method and might just work on the speaker, if not the whole machine. Haven't tried it, but heard about its use for items in a home after a fire.
73,
Don, WB5HAK
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From: Mark Foltarz[SMTP:Foltarz@rocketmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 7:58 AM
To: George Brand; boatanchors@qth.net
Subject: Re: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor & Cleaning Wrinkled Eamel
George,
I've got a real foolproof method for removing the nicotene deposition. This method is also invaluable for rejuvinating wrinkled enamel.
First, remove knobs and obvious escutcheons etc. Get non-pumice hand cleaner and apply a generous amount to all surfaces that require cleaning.
With a soft tooth brush, gently work the hand cleaner into the surface. This is espcially useful for wrinkled enamel finishes. Let this sit for a little while. ( about 5 minutes )
You now need to remove the goop. If the panel has been removed you may rinse directly with warm water. Otherwise, use a damp sponge and repeatedly dab and rinse the sponge until the panel is clean.
Let dry or use a hair dryer if the electronics got wet.
That's it. You'll find this method useful in restoring some incredibly dirty equipment and restoring it back to good condition.
DE KA4JVY
Mark
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From: Mike D.[SMTP:hrg@megsinet.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 1:20 PM
To: F W Mooney
Subject: RE: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
I understand that placing those clothes dryer anti-static sheets in the radio will help.
73 de Mike, N9BOR
FISTS NR 4594
http://www.qsl.net/n9bor
di dah dit - The only roger beep you'll ever need.
My designated driver is a 12BY7A.
I want to party like it's 1969.
Solid State leaves me cold.
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From: Rich Oliver[SMTP:rco@lowell.edu]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 3:01 PM
To: F W Mooney; rco@lowell.edu
Subject: Re: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Yeah, I have some magazines from eBay living in the garage for the same reason. I have not tried this on tobacco but "Febreeze" does a decent job on cat odor, about the only thing I know worse than dead cigarettes. Anyway I would give it a shot.
Good Luck! -Rich, KC9GQ
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From: barry kirkwood[SMTP:bjk@ihug.co.nz]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 2:20 PM
To: F W Mooney
Subject: Re: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Fred, I don't have an answer, but interested in results of your search.
Suggest you contact "home beautiful" type magazine (seriously)
73
end
Barry (Baz) Kirkwood PhD ZL1DD ex ZL1BN, ZL4OK etc
Signal Hill
66 Cory Road
Palm Beach
Waiheke Island 1240
NEW ZEALAND
www.waiheke.co.nz/signal.htm
Ph/Fax 64-9-372-5161
RELAX, YOU ARE AT SIGNAL HILL HOMESTAY B&B
ON BEAUTIFUL WAIHEKE ISLAND
ONLY 35 MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN AUCKLAND
40 MINUTES FROM THE AMERICA'S CUP COURSE
www.waiheke.co.nz/signal.htm
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From: Dennis Breeden[SMTP:D.Breeden@wcom.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 1:29 PM
To: F W Mooney; 'boatanchors@qth.net'; Hallicrafters
Subject: RE: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
A trick I recently read in QST, toss a dryer sheet, maybe a couple, in the radio then wrap it up in a plastic bag. The smell should go away in a few days. The person did this for a speaker for a used rig. I also heard of people using the deodorizer used for cars to get rid of cigarette smell.
---
Submissions boatanchors@qth.net
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From: Lee Bahr[SMTP:bahr521@earthlink.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 1:25 PM
To: F W Mooney
Cc: 'boatanchors@qth.net'; Hallicrafters
Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Take it out of the cabinet and wash the cabinet in the sink with soapy water after a 409 bath and then dry it off. Clean the entire chassis with Q-tips and alcohol. If you want to be bold, remove the speaker, cover the IF cans and output transformer and flush with 409 and hot water. Then dry off. Don't allow any water to enter the transformer or IF transformers. If you can't keep water out of the IFs and output transformer, stick with the Q-tips and alcohol. Blow dry. Relub the band switch. I do it all the time, works great. Actually the cigarette smoke protects the metal from rusting. I have cleaned up many boat anchors that had cigarette smoke all over them and some that did not have smoke on them. Most of the smoke covered radios turned out looking better after cleaning them than those without the smoke in the first place.
Lee Bahr w0vt
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From: George Brand[SMTP:aam5emi@concentric.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 1:24 PM
To: F W Mooney; boatanchors@qth.net; Hallicrafters
Subject: Re: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Last eBay "stinker" I had I also took to the garage and after a few days of airing out, hosed it down with tuner cleaner, speaker and all. Had a river of yellow fluid washing off it. Cleaned chassis with rags, q-tips etc and no more stink. Speaker is fine. Anyone have any hints as to how to get yellowing off the front panel??
George WA8SCO
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From: Ed Tanton[SMTP:n4xy@att.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 1:39 PM
To: F W Mooney
Subject: RE: [Hallicrafters] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
I would think several hours in bright sunlight (it might have to be per side) should make a serious dent in the odor... UV is a pretty good deodorizer.
72 / 73 Ed N4XY email: <n4xy@arrl.net>
webpage: http://www.qsl.net/n4xy/
Subscriptions majordomo@qth.net
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From: Dennis Breeden[SMTP:D.Breeden@wcom.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 1:29 PM
To: F W Mooney; 'boatanchors@qth.net'; Hallicrafters
Subject: RE: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
A trick I recently read in QST, toss a dryer sheet, maybe a couple, in the radio then wrap it up in a plastic bag. The smell should go away in a few days. The person did this for a speaker for a used rig. I also heard of people using the deodorizer used for cars to get rid of cigarette smell.
----------
From: John L. Sielke[SMTP:n4js@qsl.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 8:20 AM
To: F W Mooney; boatanchors@qth.net
Subject: RE: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
I have found smoking a good Latakia based tobacco in my pipe in a closed room with the radio eliminates all trace of cigarette odor.
---
N4JS John L. Sielke n4js@pobox.com n4js@qsl.net
NJ Grid:FM29LN http://www.qsl.net/n4js
NJ-QRP #57 QRP-L #884 QRP-ARCI ARQrp #86
G-QRP #9544 NorCal #1989 CQC AKQRP QCWA FISTS #2781
Elecraft K2 #00023
---
Submissions boatanchors@qth.net
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From: Anthony W. DePrato WA4JQS[SMTP:anthony.deprato@gte.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 1:31 PM
To: F W Mooney
Subject: Re: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
your best bet is to go to radio shack and buy a new speaker cost about $5 for the last one i got. they have them on the parts shelf. simple green or murphys oil soap are two ways to clean the radio.. good luck
tony wa4jqs
Anthony W.DePrato WA4JQS
Founder: South Sandwich Island Antarctic Dxpedition Group 1988
Member: CQ DX HALL OF FAME # 35
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From: George Brand[SMTP:aam5emi@concentric.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 1:24 PM
To: F W Mooney; boatanchors@qth.net; Hallicrafters
Subject: Re: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Last eBay "stinker" I had I also took to the garage and after a few days of airing out, hosed it down with tuner cleaner, speaker and all. Had a river of yellow fluid washing off it. Cleaned chassis with rags, q-tips etc and no more stink. Speaker is fine. Anyone have any hints as to how to get yellowing off the front panel??
George WA8SCO
----------
From: Lee Bahr[SMTP:bahr521@earthlink.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 1:25 PM
To: F W Mooney
Cc: 'boatanchors@qth.net'; Hallicrafters
Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Take it out of the cabinet and wash the cabinet in the sink with soapy water after a 409 bath and then dry it off. Clean the entire chassis with Q-tips and alcohol. If you want to be bold, remove the speaker, cover the IF cans and output transformer and flush with 409 and hot water. Then dry off. Don't allow any water to enter the transformer or IF transformers. If you can't keep water out of the IFs and output transformer, stick with the Q-tips and alcohol. Blow dry. Relub the band switch. I do it all the time, works great. Actually the cigarette smoke protects the metal from rusting. I have cleaned up many boat anchors that had cigarette smoke all over them and some that did not have smoke on them. Most of the smoke covered radios turned out looking better after cleaning them than those without the smoke in the first place.
Lee Bahr w0vt
----------
From: John L. Sielke[SMTP:n4js@qsl.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 8:20 AM
To: F W Mooney; boatanchors@qth.net
Subject: RE: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
I have found smoking a good Latakia based tobacco in my pipe in a closed room with the radio eliminates all trace of cigarette odor.
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From: Thomas Moll[SMTP:n0bs@compaq.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 3:16 PM
To: F W Mooney
Subject: Re: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Fred,
I once heard that putting a sheet or two of Bounce fabric softener inside a radio for a couple days would do wonders for odors. I tried it once myself with limited success, but it was not a cigarette odor I was trying to get rid of. Don't really know what it was! It's worth a try I 'spose. Ordinary baking soda will also absorb odors, but don't know if it will work on cig odor. Both are cheap to try. Good luck.
Tom Moll N0BS
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From: Frank J. Jershe[SMTP:w0ely@spacestar.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 1:02 PM
To: F W Mooney
Subject: Re: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Fred,
Go to your local Walmart store, in the automotive or recreation vehicle section, and purchase a can of "Ozium". A small 4 ounce can sells for around $4 to $5. The original (supposedly unscented) is what has been used in hospitals for decades (the hospital smell!!). They put it in the air conditioning system to kill bacteria and "save" those that aren't sick from getting germs. It really works...not just a perfume type deodorizer. Spray your hallicrafters inside and out (but don't spray so much as to get it wet). Then get a plastic garbage bag. Put the radio inside. Spray some more in the bag, close off the bag and let it sit for a day or two. You may have to do this twice, but you won't have the smell as the Ozium will kill the bacteria on the smoke smell ... actually the bacteria is the smoke smell!!
Has worked for many years with me (used to work in a hospital in the late 60's). It even kills mildew odor on old books, but you have to leave it in the plastic bag for longer periods of time. Good Luck.
73
Frank
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From: Ian Webb[SMTP:ian_webb@pacbell.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 12:49 PM
To: F W Mooney
Subject: Re: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
GOOD LUCK!
I had a manual which I could only keep in the garage and even then it bothered me when I was at the workbench. I finally xeroxed it and threw out the original.
I have no idea about speaker cones but I've used 409 cleaner on chassis and panels and all hardware parts and it works fine if you're a bit careful. Watch the yellow gunk pour off it.
When I get something like that the only consolation I have is that the person who did that the the equipment is probably dying a slow painful death...
Ian, K6SDE
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From: flatwood[SMTP:flatwood@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 12:52 PM
To: F W Mooney
Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
put it outside for a couple months?
flatwood studio
http://questx.com/flatwood
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From: Dick Flanagan[SMTP:dick@libelle.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 12:33 PM
To: F W Mooney
Subject: Re: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
That's one of the problems with buying things from someone who smokes. They honestly can't smell the odor themselves. The rest of us can smell it on their clothes and even in the air behind them when they walk, but they are oblivious to it.
So the seller may have honestly been unaware of the odor.
73, Dick
--
Dick Flanagan W6OLD CFII Minden, Nevada (South of Reno)
Visit http://www.cvrc.net/
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From: F W Mooney[SMTP:fmooney@sprintmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 12:13 PM
To: 'boatanchors@qth.net'; Hallicrafters
Subject: [BoatAnchors] Fumigating Cigarette Odor
Greetings.
I just bought a classic Hallicrafters S-38E from EBAY. Despite verifying with the seller that it had no cigarette odor, it does--it reeks of cigarette smoke. So it's currently out in the garage! Can anyone offer suggestions on how to fumigate it? I've seem some advice out there on cleaning off the chassis and cabinet, but how about the speaker cone?
- Fred M.
KA1DGL
---
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