ideas for faceplate cleanup

laotzu61
laotzu61 Posts: 327
edited November 2012 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
i'm looking for some ideas on what to use to clean the metal faceplate and control knobs on an amp or preamp. thanks very much.
"The symbol is not the reality"
Post edited by laotzu61 on
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  • specd_out
    specd_out Posts: 505
    edited November 2012
    I have carver gear which has anodized bushed aluminum and I used invisible glass, then we got some Zep stainless cleaner and it worked wonders on the faces. Looks amazing now
    HT Rig Samsung 64F8500 |Pioneer Elite BDP-52FD|Pioneer Elite VSX-32| Two Carver TFM-15cb Bridged for mains|Polk Audio RTiA5 Cherry|Polk Audio CsiA6 Cherry|Polk Audio T-15 Heights|Polk Audio FXia6 Surround|DIY 8cuft Dayton Ultimax 15" powered with a Crown XLS1000
    2Channel Rig Polk Audio LSi9 Cherry| Carver C-1BillD Mod|Carver M1.0t MkII Opt2|Pro-ject RM 1.3|SpeedBox S|AQ King Cobras|AQ Rocket88|
    ISF Level 2 Certified Calibrator
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited November 2012
    Windex works on most surfaces without creating issues.
    Jake
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,653
    edited November 2012
    zingo wrote: »
    Windex works on most surfaces without creating issues.

    This.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • specd_out
    specd_out Posts: 505
    edited November 2012
    zingo wrote: »
    Windex works on most surfaces without creating issues.

    Be careful I have heard that the ammonia in windex can discolor faceplates if they have been anodized
    HT Rig Samsung 64F8500 |Pioneer Elite BDP-52FD|Pioneer Elite VSX-32| Two Carver TFM-15cb Bridged for mains|Polk Audio RTiA5 Cherry|Polk Audio CsiA6 Cherry|Polk Audio T-15 Heights|Polk Audio FXia6 Surround|DIY 8cuft Dayton Ultimax 15" powered with a Crown XLS1000
    2Channel Rig Polk Audio LSi9 Cherry| Carver C-1BillD Mod|Carver M1.0t MkII Opt2|Pro-ject RM 1.3|SpeedBox S|AQ King Cobras|AQ Rocket88|
    ISF Level 2 Certified Calibrator
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,653
    edited November 2012
    I don't know, I've cleaned a lot of anodized faceplates in my time, never had an issue.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • laotzu61
    laotzu61 Posts: 327
    edited November 2012
    thanks for all the input. i think i should have mentioned that the component in question is a hafler dh-101 preamp, and it has a black faceplate. i don't know if it's some type of a painted finish or what. also, the volume, bass and treble knobs are filthy, along with all the input-output connects on the back. thanks.
    "The symbol is not the reality"
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  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited November 2012
    laotzu61 wrote: »
    thanks for all the input. i think i should have mentioned that the component in question is a hafler dh-101 preamp, and it has a black faceplate. i don't know if it's some type of a painted finish or what. also, the volume, bass and treble knobs are filthy, along with all the input-output connects on the back. thanks.

    When I see some gears really dirty, I use 90% alcohol. Those that you find in any pharmacy. it works with no issues even on plastic.
    Make it simple...Make it better!
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  • gmjungbluth
    gmjungbluth Posts: 232
    edited November 2012
    When I clean the aluminum faceplates and knobs for my vintage gear I've used goop gone degreaser. It works really well. I've never had any problems with it marring or degrading the finish at all. And it's better at getting off residue, dust, and smoke scum than soap or windex.
    HT System:
    Marantz NR-1403
    Front: Klipsch CF-4
    Rear: Paradigm Atom V3
    Center: Boston Acoustic VR12
    Sub: Bowers & Wilkins ASW600

    2Ch:
    Restored Fisher 500C
    Yamaha P-500 Turntable

    Living Room:
    Harman Kardon 3380
    Restored Polk Monitor 7B

    Bedroom:
    Harman Kardon VR-3750
    Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble
    Polk PSW10

    In and out of rotation:
    KLH Model 6,
    Polk LSI7
    NAD 7100
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  • laotzu61
    laotzu61 Posts: 327
    edited November 2012
    thanks for your help, guys. i appreciate it.
    "The symbol is not the reality"
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited November 2012
    Alcohol can do much damage to certain items, I only use plain H2O or these.


    wipes.jpg
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