How can I clean/polish the front panel of a SANSUI AU-719?

[J.Livingstone]

Yesterday I buyied an ampli SANSUI AU-719 (year 1980) in good conditions: the matt black front panel is good....no scratches, but I'd like to clean and polish it. Have you any suggestions?
Some people says to use only a microfiber cloth and water, other says to use alcohol, or a glass/LCD cleaner. I tried with a LCD cleaner, but it didn't satisfy me. A friend suggested me to use a microfiber cloth soaked with some drops of sewing-machine oil. What do you think about this idea?
Any suggestions to have a brandnew matt-black front panel for my SANSUI?

[chelsea]

I use isopropynol and cotton wool,the a dry cloth.

Heard of some people using baby oil but wouldn't fancy putting oil on a facia.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Take a look in 'The Knowledge' for the article called 'On the cosmetic refurbishment of used classic or vintage audio equipment' (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7659)

[Mr Kipling]

A silicone pad intended for a car's interior dash and then use a micro-fibre cloth might give the finnish you require. You should get a lustrous shine.

[walpurgis]

I've been cleaning up boot sale purchases for years and found the best way is warm water with a bit of washing up liquid on a soft rag, Don't go mad and get the insides wet. Dry off with kitchen tissue. Follow this with furniture polish to give lustre, put it on with a cloth, don't spray onto Hi-Fi equipment.

Avoid anything with alchohol or other spirits as it may take the finish or lettering off. Anything oily will just leave a messy surface that keeps needing a wipe.

Also, if you're confident, you can take the case off and clean the inside of such units with a paint brush and vacuum hose.

[Canetoad]

Plain baby wipes work fine for me. If it's gentle enough for a baby's @rse it's fine for the finish on hifi equipment. Go for plain wipes without perfume or allo vera etc. I use Asda branded ones. :)

[wee tam]

a mixture of above , babywipes , microfibre to dry , silicone pad , and buff , works wonders

[J.Livingstone]

Thanks to all....I had an idea: why I cannot use a silicon product for my car (to protect vinyl, rubber and plastic? It is the MEGUIAR'S NATURAL SHINE PROTECTANT (for matt surfaces).
So, I tested this spray in a very little surface (on the corner) of the front panel of SANSUI. I saw that it was a very good idea: the matt black panel appeared like new, and so I used this product all over the front panel. The result was very goog! Now my AU-719 is beautiful!! ;)

[Mr Kipling]

I'm a fan of using plain soap and warm water for cleaning equipment, but then I'll use a silicone pad at times to get a nice finish. It's good with textured surfaces like Naim gear and certain speaker stands. Pleased the idea worked for you.

[technobear]

I use Armoural Protectant (car plastics polish). It brings up brushed aluminium a treat.

Edit: it works great on that grey Nextel stuff too

[pete_mac]

This may shock some, but my 'go-to' treatment for the black anodised front faces on vintage Sansui amps is... WD-40.

Wipe it on and buff it off and voila! It's a well-known trick amongst the Sansui fraternity.

Nice to hear that the Meguiar's product works nicely too.

[UV101]

I use isopropynol and cotton wool,the a dry cloth.

Heard of some people using baby oil but wouldn't fancy putting oil on a facia.

Be careful where you use isopropyl..........painted quad parts like on the 44 pre volume control don't like it!!!!!!!! Grrrrrr

[Barry]

Be careful where you use isopropyl..........painted quad parts like on the 44 pre volume control don't like it!!!!!!!! Grrrrrr

That's because they're made of plastic, as is the tuning knob on the FM4. It won't necessarity damage the plastic but will soften the paint, an effect which tends to be permanent.



I use isopropynol and cotton wool,then a dry cloth.

Heard of some people using baby oil but wouldn't fancy putting oil on a facia.

I was recommended to use baby-wipes to clean the anodised surfaces, facia and knobs of Mark Levinson products by a ML specialist. And it works very well.