Best way to clean a filthy monitor chassis?

boganvilla

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Just wondering what peoples experiences/opinions are on cleaning a monitor chassis.
Amazingly this thing still works.
79784262746179198599.jpg
 
+1 on the dishwasher with no detergent.

AND MAKE SURE that you run a second empty load with detergent once done...the wife will never know.
 
Just take some 409 or other general all-purpose kitchen cleaner (I use Lysol's brand all purpose, smells citrusy :) ) And give it some generous squirts. Then rinse it off in the sink and let it dry for a couple days. It will be good as new.
 
If using the "hose-down" method,
I use a heat gun to force dry the chassis.

Be careful not to melt anything,
but the hot blowing air will really dry the chassis quickly.

Steph
 
I always thought it was a just a tad odd to put your delicate electronics in a dishwasher. But hey, If sources say it's works then I'm up for trying it! :cool:
 
Wow...A bit suprised that you can hose them down.

Will there be any problem with getting water in the anode hole?

Nah, the anode hole is closed off, just take an air can and blow the hole out afterwards and make sure it dries out thoroughly.
 
haha... some funny posts here. After reading all warnings on shocking myself to death I just used my compressor to clean one of mine. I've been working with electronics for 10+ years and yet have no desire to get too involved with these old monitors.
 
the way i cleaned the monitor on my old space duel was, i took the pcb's out and used dish soap and a toothbrush and cleaned it and turned the oven to like the lowest setting and left them in there for about 15-20 minutes
 
I always spray them with a strong cleaner like scrubbing bubbles, then use an old paint brush to swoosh the dirt around. Spray with water hose, let dry. When I had an apartment, I did it in the bathtub, rinsing with a bowl of hot water, like bathing a dog. It worked, but wasn't as easy.

Only got shocked on a monitor once, and that was from reaching around the back controls, while looking at the front. I laid my hand across something (ballast resistor?) and it hurt... That was me being careless though.
 
If your going to do water wash I would highly suggest bathing it in high pressure air (air compressor) to dry the watter fast and to get it out of the pots & all the nucks and crannies.
 
Here is what the simple all-purpose cleaner and some water can do.
 

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Wow!

Boy, that sure makes a difference in the appearance of the monitor. I would assume that if the cleaning is done properly, it would extend the life of the monitor, correct?

Does it have any impact on performance of the monitor or are cap-kits pretty much the best way to do that?
 
Boy, that sure makes a difference in the appearance of the monitor. I would assume that if the cleaning is done properly, it would extend the life of the monitor, correct?

Does it have any impact on performance of the monitor or are cap-kits pretty much the best way to do that?

Having a clean monitor and chassis reduces the risk of shorting components and reduces a potential fire hazard. Ive seen some monitors that have so many dust bunnies, a wayward spark could probably easily ignite it under the right circumstances. But all in all, a clean monitor is a happy monitor, and always looks better, especially if you plan on selling the machine. As for the performance, youd have a better chance at a cap kit. Cleaning it is more of a safety measure rather than a refurbish.
 
Thanks for the information, I will definitely take the time to clean the monitors in the 2 machines I'm in the middle of restoring then. They're not as filthy as some I've seen pictures of, but they could definitely stand to be cleaned.
 
The best way is the old fashioned way. Put the monitor, with chassis still installed, in your driveway, squirt it down with some 409. Let it sit for a couple of minutes and then spray it down with a garden hose. Let the monitor sit outside in the sun to dry out the rest of the day. The next morning you are good to plug and play.
 
Dishwasher.

Top rack, laying upside down. Remove the cardboard neck board guard before washing. I use the regular dish soap, no heated dry.

When that's done, I shake off whatever water I can, and put it in the oven on it's lowest setting (175 degrees) for a half hour or so. After that, I usually let it sit for a day before powering it up.

This is a great first step before recapping a monitor, as it's a lot nicer to work on a nice clean chassis.

-Ian
 
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