Clean sticker residue off HP 6624a front panel

[staze]

All,

First, just have to say I found an HP 6624a at a local thrift store for, wait for it... $10 US. And yes, it works perfectly from what I've checked so far (need to delve into the manual a bit more, as I'm not sure if it's supposed to store the last state of the output on power down/up). Anyway, it has a fair bit of sticker residue on the front panel, including on the display area. I know something like lighter fluid (largely naphtha) will remove it, but I'm pretty sure that'll damage the plastic.

Anyone have any tips for this type of thing? Obviously one option would be to tear it all down and clean it in the sink with some soap and water and elbow grease, but I've never been very happy with sticker residue removal in that case.

Thanks!

[f1rmb]

Hi,

All,

First, just have to say I found an HP 6624a at a local thrift store for, wait for it... $10 US. And yes, it works perfectly from what I've checked so far (need to delve into the manual a bit more, as I'm not sure if it's supposed to store the last state of the output on power down/up). Anyway, it has a fair bit of sticker residue on the front panel, including on the display area. I know something like lighter fluid (largely naphtha) will remove it, but I'm pretty sure that'll damage the plastic.

Anyone have any tips for this type of thing? Obviously one option would be to tear it all down and clean it in the sink with some soap and water and elbow grease, but I've never been very happy with sticker residue removal in that case.

Thanks!

Isopropyl alcohol will remove the glue without harming the plastic.

Cheers.

[staze]

Hi,

Isopropyl alcohol will remove the glue without harming the plastic.

Cheers.

That's pretty much what I figured. To be safe, since the unit is as old as it is, I'll start in a corner and make sure things don't go south.

Thanks!

[neslekkim]

Do you have that label-off stuff?, not sure what it's called in us, but it's has an citrusy smell, I use that for removing glue

[staze]

Do you have that label-off stuff?, not sure what it's called in us, but it's has an citrusy smell, I use that for removing glue

This stuff?

http://www.ges.cz/en/sprej-label-off-GES08000048.html

[staze]

Looks like this might be similar:

http://www.amazon.com/3M-6040-ADHESIVE-REMOVER-Weight/dp/B003ZHOZRO/

[staze]

IPA worked great! For reference, I used my good 99.9% anhydrous, but I'm sure any high purity stuff will work. Unit looks brand new(-ish)!

Thanks!

[neslekkim]

Do you have that label-off stuff?, not sure what it's called in us, but it's has an citrusy smell, I use that for removing glue

This stuff?

http://www.ges.cz/en/sprej-label-off-GES08000048.html

Correct!

[robrenz]

Whatever you use, a magic sponge (melamine foam) makes it work better.

[neslekkim]

Whatever you use, a magic sponge (melamine foam) makes it work better.

This stuff? http://www.ebay.com/itm/151161253952

[staze]

If you watch Mr. Modemhead's blog, he does mention magic eraser will cause some dulling/hazing of clear plastics. But for the metal moby of the unit, it would be great.

I just used some IPA and a paper towel. Worked great.

[bookaboo]

I find Flux remover can work magic on some stuff, IPA would be the goto though.

[robrenz]

Whatever you use, a magic sponge (melamine foam) makes it work better.

This stuff? http://www.ebay.com/itm/151161253952

Yes, they really are magic. Just don't be afraid to use a whole sponge up on a project they break down fairly rapidly.
example here. Look at the top rail of that power supply. That is not repainted! that is after 10 minutes with a magic sponge.

[casinada]

First try Soapy water, then Goo Gone then stronger stuff (don't apply too much pressure)
There are many threads about removing gunk dirt and residue from old equipment. Robrenz has excellent posts on how to restore old equipment and make them look better than new

[Mechatrommer]

here we call it petrol, in usa they call it gas, not a fancy stuff, everyday stuff. ymmv.

[sunnyhighway]

Just grab a bottle of olive oil or sunflower oil from the kitchen and rub it in.
Let it sit for a while and it comes off easily.

Actually, any oil will do.
Just don't use used engine oil or any other "polluted" oil.

[staze]

here we call it petrol, in usa they call it gas, not a fancy stuff, everyday stuff. ymmv.

ugh, that'll definitely hurt the plastic. That is why I stayed away from lighter fluid... it works great for sticker residue on glass/metal, but on plastic it's generally a no-no.

[xquercus]

I'll second Goo Gone.

[nctnico]

I usually use a hot air gun to soften the glue and use adhesive tape to remove the sticker residue. Chemicals often eat into old plastics and paint.

[xquercus]

Regarding chemicals eating plastic, I haven't had a problem using goo gone or alcohols.  I haven't used goo gone much on clear plastic but I've slathered bottles of the stuff over the years on pretty much every opaque material commonly used in radios and lab test gear.  It's really pretty mild stuff but it dissolves adhesive like nobody's business.  I think it's pretty much mineral spirits with some sort of citrus something or other which may be more to hide the solvent smell than do any actual cleaning.

If anyone has personally seen goo gone damage, I'd definitely like to know!  I'd hate to damage a piece of gear and it would be good to know what materials to avoid.

[staze]

Regarding chemicals eating plastic, I haven't had a problem using goo gone or alcohols.  I haven't used goo gone much on clear plastic but I've slathered bottles of the stuff over the years on pretty much every opaque material commonly used in radios and lab test gear.  It's really pretty mild stuff but it dissolves adhesive like nobody's business.  I think it's pretty much mineral spirits with some sort of citrus something or other which may be more to hide the solvent smell than do any actual cleaning.

If anyone has personally seen goo gone damage, I'd definitely like to know!  I'd hate to damage a piece of gear and it would be good to know what materials to avoid.

Ah! Goo Gone is the citrus stuff, and should be okay. I was thinking Goo Off, which apparently WILL damage plastics.

See table on Mr. Modemhead's site: http://mrmodemhead.com/blog/dirty-multimeter-clean-up/

[motocoder]

Just grab a bottle of olive oil or sunflower oil from the kitchen and rub it in.
Let it sit for a while and it comes off easily.

Actually, any oil will do.
Just don't use used engine oil or any other "polluted" oil.

I tried this (olive oil) yesterday on some calibration stickers on an old meter. It worked even better than goo-gone.