I have a sony cfd 770 that's externally sticky. any ideas on how to remove without further damaging the plastic?
Cleaning Issues
- Thread starter jblinn
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Welcome aboard, JB. 
Nothing beats a good, old-fashioned bath using soap and water, but that does require complete disassembly.
For cleaning without disassembly, I have used Orange Glo on sticky, nicotine-type stains and had really good results. It helps remove grease, wax, and accumulated dirt. Yes, Orange Glo is technically for wood floors, but it works amazingly well on plastic, and so far, leaves no damage. Just be sure to not spray it on heavily - just a light mist is enough to get it done.
You can find Orange Glo pretty much everywhere - Walmart, Target, K-mart, Home Depot, etc.
Nothing beats a good, old-fashioned bath using soap and water, but that does require complete disassembly.For cleaning without disassembly, I have used Orange Glo on sticky, nicotine-type stains and had really good results. It helps remove grease, wax, and accumulated dirt. Yes, Orange Glo is technically for wood floors, but it works amazingly well on plastic, and so far, leaves no damage. Just be sure to not spray it on heavily - just a light mist is enough to get it done.
You can find Orange Glo pretty much everywhere - Walmart, Target, K-mart, Home Depot, etc.
I have used it with great success 
MasterBlaster84
Boomus Fidelis
The 770 has a rubbery finish that gets sticky like the original Kaboom.
Mine is in storage but if I remember correctly some of the silk screening is on top of this coating.
Mine is in storage but if I remember correctly some of the silk screening is on top of this coating.
BoomboxLover48
Boomus Fidelis
We all know NOT TO USE ACETONE (nail polish remover) 
Dial covers made with plastic types used in those days will slowly dissolve in acetone. These dial covers were not polycarbonate types.
The coatings over boomboxes made in the late 80s and 90s had very poor quality plastic coatings. They were not good for chemical resistance properties.
I wouldn't try anything other than light soap like Bobby mentioned.
MEK and Acetone are very harsh solvents, will eat through the coating unless it is a hi tech plastic coating.
Automotive grade plastic bumper coatings might pass 50 or 100 MEK double rubs. Even those types of coatings will show discoloration and swelling after 100 MEK double rubs, but might heal after a while.
Dial covers made with plastic types used in those days will slowly dissolve in acetone. These dial covers were not polycarbonate types.
The coatings over boomboxes made in the late 80s and 90s had very poor quality plastic coatings. They were not good for chemical resistance properties.
I wouldn't try anything other than light soap like Bobby mentioned.
MEK and Acetone are very harsh solvents, will eat through the coating unless it is a hi tech plastic coating.
Automotive grade plastic bumper coatings might pass 50 or 100 MEK double rubs. Even those types of coatings will show discoloration and swelling after 100 MEK double rubs, but might heal after a while.
AE_Stereo
Member (SA)
I have seen Kerosene (yes, the fuel!) is a very good solvent to clean old Audio Systems, especially when there is residual adhesive from Stickers and Masking/insulation tapes etc.
I didn't do it myself yet, but I have seen it being done by someone. Printing and Acrylic dials were not at all affected and it gave a very good finish afterwards.
Pl. try at your risk, starting with a small test area on an invisible side.
I didn't do it myself yet, but I have seen it being done by someone. Printing and Acrylic dials were not at all affected and it gave a very good finish afterwards.
Pl. try at your risk, starting with a small test area on an invisible side.
AE_Stereo
Member (SA)
Update on 7-Dec-2012:
I have now used white paraffin oil (from the barbecue section of super market - fuel oil) to clean all sorts of boxes from RX-7000 to SK-95 to GF-909. Works like a charm.
It even helped me to restore the slightly hazy RX-7000 tuner dial window.
I haven't experienced any damage to any parts like acrylic, printing, aluminium etc. But, avoid any paper parts like speaker cone etc.
I have now used white paraffin oil (from the barbecue section of super market - fuel oil) to clean all sorts of boxes from RX-7000 to SK-95 to GF-909. Works like a charm.
It even helped me to restore the slightly hazy RX-7000 tuner dial window.
I haven't experienced any damage to any parts like acrylic, printing, aluminium etc. But, avoid any paper parts like speaker cone etc.
superlew
Member (SA)
Nail polish remover is also a great way to remove screen printing (and nail polish).TW5 said:
This stuff can melt plastic.
For adhesives from stickers, I use Murphy's Oil Soap. It also leaves a fresh pine scent, which is very appropriate for this Christmasy time of year.
Edit: Wicked scary, but to restore a rubbery finish, unless it has some sort of finish coating, nothing veats a solvent like paint thinner. But if there is any screen printing and you can't isolate the part, don't even try it.
rokbox2112
Member (SA)
I used old worn socks or cloths with light 409/fantastic cleaner. takes all grease real good. then final buff. if you want a great shine and anti static. to all my bros try Novus anti static cleaner. this stuffs Fresh! great on black chassis and chromed accents...- Status