Cleaning inside of Amp advise Please

[RobbieGong]

I have a Technics SU VX800 integrated amp which I purchased a few years ago. It is for me a great amp. I picked it up a lot cheaper than normal as it only has two of the four screws to secure the outer case (usually two each side), and unfortunately the only two cant be turned as the cross for the phillips screwdriver are completely rounded on both. I can see through the top vents that it is very very dusty inside and on occasion when the amp is very cold I get a fair bit of crackle from the switches until it warms although now it seems to cut out randomly ever so slightly from one channel or the other as if there's a bad connection. I'd obviously now like to get inside and give it a good careful clean. I'm going to have to use a tiny metal drill bit and drill through the middle of the rounded screw heads :eek:. What I'd really like to know from those in the know is how should i go about the cleaning ie: I was thinking of presurised air to blow as much dust out as pos. I'm also aware that there is a spray for the switches that I could use. Any advise around this would be much appreciated. I would like to do it myself and not give out for service if pos. Thanks.

[howlindawg]

First of all to remove the screws, if they're not recessed, you may be able to use a dremel and cutting disc to carefully cut a slot in the top of the screws and use a flat head screwdriver to just wind them out. Obviously make sure to tape up any openings in the casework to avoid metal swarf making its way into the circuitry.

You can remove the worst of the dust using a soft paintbrush.
There's usually no need for compressed air.

Have a look at the Caig range for products to clean and lube the contacts.

[Rare Bird]

Aye i use a very thick artist brush then carefully suck out the dust with vacuum nossle.. Wear a mask too cos the stuff gets on your chest if your not carefull loike.

[StanleyB]

I'm going to have to use a tiny metal drill bit and drill through the middle of the rounded screw heads :eek:.
:eek: DON'T.
This is how I trained my apprentice engineers to do it quickly and efficiently:

1. Get a pair of side cutters with a reasonably strong cutting head. The chrome types are best since they can withstand the next part. A soft iron type might give way at the crucial moment.
2. Grip either end of the screw head with the side cutter as firmly as you can so that the side cutter cannot slip.
3. Apply elbow grease liberally and turn the side cutter whilst maintaining your strong grip on the head of the screw. The screw will now start to turn.

If you are not sure which ends of the screw you should be applying a grip to, I shall try to take a picture and post it here for you to get a better idea.

[spendorman]

:eek: DON'T.
This is how I trained my apprentice engineers to do it quickly and efficiently:

1. Get a pair of side cutters with a reasonably strong cutting head. The chrome types are best since they can withstand the next part. A soft iron type might give way at the crucial moment.
2. Grip either end of the screw head with the side cutter as firmly as you can so that the side cutter cannot slip.
3. Apply elbow grease liberally and turn the side cutter whilst maintaining your strong grip on the head of the screw. The screw will now start to turn.

If you are not sure which ends of the screw you should be applying a grip to, I shall try to take a picture and post it here for you to get a better idea.

Done this many times, usually works, as mentioned, good strong side cutters are best.

[Reid Malenfant]

I'd follow Stans advice, there may well be a few self tappers on the back of the top panel & at the sides on the back where it overlaps. They should be easy to shift.

The big ones on the sides are kind of countersunk if I remember right, but they have a head I'd describe as a "cheese head", you should be able to get a grip on them.

Sounds like the volume (& other controls & switches) need a good clean to, get yourself some Super Servisol switch cleaning lubricant, apply liberally into the potentiometers & switches & commence operation twiddle :eyebrows:

Just turn the volume & other controls fully one way then the other about 10 times, same with the switches...

Have fun :D

[howlindawg]

> This < (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17554) might be of interest

[DSJR]

A fine multi-bristle brush as Andr'e suggets is perfect..

We often had TV's in which, after several years of 8 hours plus a day and high EHT, were so thick with dust you couldn't see the components on the boards. A can of compressed air used to work wonders, but obviously the dust went everywhere. Not an issue in a workshop, but not for home. A crevice tool on yer vacuum cleaner (:eyebrows:) should also help hugely.

[RobbieGong]

All you guys are absolute legends, Very useful and helpful replies, all of them :)
:respect: (Big kiss if you were ladies, trust me :lol:) Instead I hope a BIG thanks will suffice :D

[Arcamnut]

A vacuum cleaner will create sh@t loads of static,not very good for electronic components me thinks,as for the screws Stans way is a good example or you could use a small pair of snipe nosed mole grips.
Cheers Paul

[Barry]

A vacuum cleaner will create sh@t loads of static,not very good for electronic components me thinks,as for the screws Stans way is a good example or you could use a small pair of snipe nosed mole grips.
Cheers Paul

The static shouldn't be a problem since any static sensitive components are in situ with the surrounding circuitry, which will 'short out' any tribolelectrically generated high voltages.

[MartinT]

There's nothing like taking it outside and using a compressed air can on it. We do that with PCs all the time, gets them nice and clean.

[AlfaGTV]

Agree fully with Arcamnut, please beware of vaccum cleaners! :uhho:
More than one electronic appliance have been lost due to the copious amounts of static electricity generated!

Take the amp outside and give it a proper blow job! :eyebrows: (Of course, i mean using compressed air on a can, or second best, a compressor which usually also adds a tiny bit of hydraulic oil)

Otherwise, an electronic cleaner sprayed into the darkest dungeons of the pots and switches followed by the "twiddle" action should sort things out.

BR /Mike

[Rare Bird]

You telling me a burst of a vacuum pipe for all of a min or so is gonna cause static :) Well the hundreds of amps & Reel To Reels ive done just got away lucky then ;)

[NRG]

You should be alright as long as there are no logic circuits in there especially old stuff that cant be replaced...I wouldn't contemplate using a vacuum plus brush attachment on an SP10 for instance! I could bore every one with tales of my Customer Engineering days at Olivetti and HP but I wont other than to warn that if you do build up a sufficient charge (and you can with a vacuum cleaner) a logic circuit could get fried whether it's in circuit or not.. ;)

[StanleyB]

The vacuum cleaner is OK for big bits of dust, and for easily accessible places. But for other tricky places, use a.... hair dryer on the COLD setting. You might need a small paint brush to dislodge stubborn dust spots though, but keep the hair dryer aimed at the spot that you are cleaning down with the paint brush.
This operation is best done outside since the dust will be going everywhere, and hers indoors will be on your case.

[nairobi]

And old trick is to use a CO2 extinguisher. Do a quick assessment of how firmly stuff is held to the circuit board.
A short blast from a reasonable distance, will clean it to factory like cleanliness.
Be careful not to have the nozzle too close to the components. The blast is very powerful.
After blasting, let the condensed water evaporate before switching on. Just leave for an hour or so. Alternatively, use a blow drier to make sure all moisture has evaporated.
Finally - make sure it is a carbon dioxide extinguisher - not a powder, chemical or water extinguisher!

[MartinT]

Hi Nairobi

Please would you pop over to the welcome area and introduce yourself before going any further? Thanks.

[Marco]

Hi "nairobi",

Welcome to AoS :)

Before going any further, please go to the Welcome area, starting a new thread there, introducing yourself to our community and telling us your real first name, where in the UK you are based (area or nearest large town), what system you use and what music you like, as all of this information is required from new members.

Cheers! :cool:

Marco.

[Dingdong]

My favourite method for getting buggered philips screw heads out is to gently file a notch accross the head with a needle file. Then use a flat bladed screwdriver and gently tap it round with a hammer or summat.
Bit of masking tape around the head should prevent scratches.

For the dust a soft brush and a vacuum cleaner should do the trick. Maybe a mask would be good instead of breathing in somebody elses old skin particles 'n stuff.