Cleaning the yellow Fluke holster..

[ErikTheNorwegian]

I buy from time to time used Fluke DMM and repair them, and every so often I must clean the yellow holster before putting out on the local “boardwalk equivalent of the bay”.
So I have tried several different cleaning fluids and scrubbed and not always got the result that I wanted. Specially the Fluke 88 Automotive can lock like it has on its own been in action and changed oil and put tectyl (anti rust)on a car. They are more black than yellow.
But now I found the one that really clean and makes it shine like brand new.
I use hand cleaner, normally for cleaning hands after dirty work on motors etc, It breaks the oil and dirt very easy off, and leaves the rubber holster nice and clean.  Some hot water during the cleaning speeds it up. I thing that the hand cleaner also have some oil that makes the holster shine and feel new, probably something that’s takes care of the skin when using it.
The result is very nice; every spot of grease, dirt and oil is gone.

[IanB]

I think someone got there before you:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=4942.0

But your own experience is separate confirmation that it works.

[SgtRock]

Greetings EEVBees:

Very good posts. Most helpful. My problem is removing indelible black marker from one of my Fluke 87 holsters. Any suggestions?

“Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people."
W. C. Fields (William Claude Dukenfield) 1880 1946

Best Regards
Clear Ether

[robrenz]

I experimented on the inside of my 87 case.  MEK removes the permanent marker. So does Acetone. Both attack the holster material but the Acetone affects it less. If you do it quickly and let it dry thouroughly and then rub with some petroleum jelly it looks pretty good (better than the permanent marker).

[ErikTheNorwegian]

I removed ink and permanent marker with sand papaer, made for rubbing down carpaint. Water and fine 300-600 grain paper made it more or less 100% fine. I used hand cream with lanolin, to make the surface nice and shiny.
Using different chemicals, for other cleaning purposes, only dry out the holster, and make the surface even more fast dirty again. And it can muscolour the surface.
That's where the handcleaner practically shines!  (yep, in both ways..)   


Flukes own cemicals for cleaning:
Can also be used on hand tools and work surfaces
MeterCleaner Wipes are pre-moistened with an industrial strength cleaning formula that removes surface dirt, oil, and grease from your test tools. They will give your meters and accessories a fresh "professional" appearance. This same formula has been used and tested by Fluke's own service labs.

Two package sizes are available: Six individually packaged wipes in zip-lock bag (MC6) or fifty individual package wipes in a paper box (MC50).

http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/accessories/cases-holsters/fluke-metercleaner-wipes.htm?PID=56385
http://support.fluke.com/find-sales/Download/Asset/9031551_ENG_A_W.PDF



Robb Roach`s  favorite method for cleaning a Fluke

[albert001]

Recently purchased a Fluke 79 III with a dirty rubber protector. Didn't have any hand or similar cleaner available so used some CRC Heavy Duty Silicone.

If applied in small amounts from a cloth silicone appears to do no damage to the yellow rubber. A clean cloth is abrasive enough to loosen and remove dirt loosened  by the silicone.

You don't want to use alot silicone spray, only a little on  cotton cloth (same or similar to a t-shirt) , rub and clean only the yellow rubber with silicone and not the meter's case.

Every spot you rub some silicon, immediately  clean off with a dry clean cloth.

I'm not certain how it compares to using hand cleaner.

[Mr. Scram]

I haven't had much luck cleaning the holsters. There were either still marks or the holster got worn or scuffed.

[albert001]

I think  to remove deeper stains, scuffs, etc. may require  something else. I haven't tried solvents such as paint thinner. What comes to mind is to first test a small spot using e.g   thinner, turpentine ,  acetone or Xylene.

Xylene is a paint reducer used for various types of paints such as e.g. Chassis Saver, epoxy paints, etc. Paints such as Chassis Saver, epoxy paints, etc. once applied are impossible to remove using a paint thinner. Requires Xylene  which is also used as a reducer.

I would also try some contact cleaner on a small stained rubber spot.

Chassis Saver S8 Reducer is basically Xylene which can be found at Home Depot, hardware stores, etc.

Some Fluke Dmms such as the 79 III the holster is part of the meter case, splits in half while opening the case to change a battery, etc. So I don't think there's anyway to replace a 79 III  rubber yellow holster.

New Fluke rubber holsters H80-M normally run $50-$60.00+ however the H80-E doesn't come with a magnetic strap can be found for $25.00 (shipping included). I found one for my Fluke 87-V that didn't have a rubber holster.