Stinky little amp...PHEW!

Jeff Beaird
Jeff Beaird Posts: 217
edited August 2008 in Electronics
Guys please help me..! I don't know where this amp called home but man does it stink..! I thought I got a great deal on this little Adcom GFA-1 in the original shipping box but I can't stand the smell. It's not like the burnt electronics stench but more like Old Motel (mold,damp,crawlspace) kind of smell.
Is there a way to clean it without hurting it, say, with a deoxidizer spray? It was a little dusty inside so I carefully blew it out with air. But it still smells. :eek:
Thanks, Jeff...
Post edited by Jeff Beaird on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited August 2008
    that is odd... Old Motel smell I have no idea... other than old motel smell. clean out the inside the best you can.. take the cover off and clean it inside and out with something strong like Pine Sol, citrus scent is optional ;)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ShinAce
    ShinAce Posts: 1,194
    edited August 2008
    Don't use any solvents. Try mild soap and water.

    If you have to, isopropyl alcohol(rubbing alcohol).
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,207
    edited August 2008
    You might try placing some activated charcoal on top or near the amp. It won't cure it but it will sure help to absorb the odors.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited August 2008
    i should clairfy my post. i was saying to only clean the removable cover. not the diodes and guts with pine sol. just the cover.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sswilson
    sswilson Posts: 13
    edited August 2008
    I noticed a product the other day at the hardware store which might do the trick. It's a plastic container of odour absorbing compound which claims to help with mold/mildew odour.

    Do you run a de-humidifier in your house? A few days in the same room as that might help dry it out and clear away some of the smell as well.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited August 2008
    Same as how the smell got there, it will go away. Some time in it's new surroundings will do the trick. A little self-generated heat won't hurt either. So, arm yourself with some Febreeze room spray and crank some tunes!
    Ludicrous gibs!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jeff Beaird
    Jeff Beaird Posts: 217
    edited August 2008
    The Old Motel smell I was referring to was actually a flashback to when I refurbished an old motel for a guy... that smell... EEeewww..! It was FULL of cockroaches. I mean FULL..! There was mold growing on the ceilings from a leaky roof. 2 of the rooms were so bad you couldn't open the doors without them(cockroaches) falling on you.:eek::eek::eek: I ended up stripping the rooms completely, sheetrock and all. It was Nasty! But that smell... its etched in my brain.
    So you are saying no to the deoxidizing spray in an aerosol can..? Made for computer boards?
    Thanks , guys!
    Thanks, Jeff...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited August 2008
    I can't recall what the process is called , but there is a safe yet professional method for cleaning electronics. What I recall is the board or whatever is submersed in some kind fo chemical or solution, and in some cases an ultrasonic frqequwency is piped in vibrating andy dirt off. I don't know if I'm mixing two different thoughts there, but ... I think Electronics manufacturers (board makers and such) dip / clean their products. Kinda like a contact cleaner. Of course I would also imagine the cleaners may not bode well for some components (transformers, etc). Right now I am picturing the guy dipping a sticky keyboard in the bath for cleaning---I wish I could remember...Getting old....
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Libertyc
    Libertyc Posts: 915
    edited August 2008
    Take the top off and put it in the garage for a few days with a fan blowing on it.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jeff Beaird
    Jeff Beaird Posts: 217
    edited August 2008
    I have the amp out in the garage. It's driving the old Kenwood setup from way back. Those Kenwoods never sounded so good. Anyway, I can smell it from inside the house. I'm with you NADAMS a good heat cycle or two ought to do it good.
    Thanks, Jeff...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,360
    edited August 2008
    Libertyc wrote: »
    Take the top off and put it in the garage for a few days with a fan blowing on it.


    This will help. Also Deoxit or any spray electronics cleaner is also very good. Use Deoxit with plenty of rags, clean it off as best you can. You may as well spray all the switches, contacts and volume pots while you are in there. Let it dry for at least a day after wiping everything dry.
    Carl

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,256
    edited August 2008
    If the pre has a couple ac outlets on the back, stick a Glade Plug-In into one of them.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited August 2008
    George Grand wrote: »
    If the pre has a couple ac outlets on the back, stick a Glade Plug-In into one of them.

    Lol, now that's thinking outside the box, George.
    Ludicrous gibs!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • daboyz
    daboyz Posts: 5,207
    edited August 2008
    George Grand wrote: »
    If the pre has a couple ac outlets on the back, stick a Glade Plug-In into one of them.

    Gotta love George,cracks me up everytime...............:D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jeff Beaird
    Jeff Beaird Posts: 217
    edited August 2008
    I was in the process of taping a pine tree air freshener to the back... but plugging in the Glade air freshener is classic..!
    Thanks, Jeff...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gwh
    gwh Posts: 1,451
    edited August 2008
    If the pre has a couple ac outlets on the back, stick a Glade Plug-In into one of them.

    HA! My wife is a Glade plug in freak....Crap I'd better check my gear.
    HT:
    Martin Logan Motion 40
    Martin Logan Motion 50XT
    Emotiva Airmotiv E2
    SVS SB16 Ultra
    Def Tech Reference Sub
    Yamaha RX-A3070

    Signal Cable speaker wires & interconnects.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited August 2008
    George Grand wrote: »
    If the pre has a couple ac outlets on the back, stick a Glade Plug-In into one of them.

    Make sure you get the ones with the gold plated plugs, the others add system noise.
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter