Sanyo M9990 resto. HELP IM A NOOB

[lacab100]

Hi, I'm 17. I know basically nothing about boomboxes. I trash picked a Sanyo m9990 because it looked cool and retro. It has a bunch of plastic like particles all over it, almost like it was used in a shop that cut a lot of plastic. these particles are stuck to every surface almost like they were molten and cooled when the landed. I tried scraping with a plastic card which seemed to work pretty well except it left tiny scratches. I stopped using the card because I don't want to damage it more than it already is. the scratches are really light and not very noticeable but still there. the rest of the box was pretty dusty so I took some q-tips and screen cleaning wipes to it which helped a lot. there is also vary light corrosion on the speaker bezels in hard to reach places. The light feature works but only one side lights up, is this normal? I am studying to be an aircraft mechanic so I have basic materials and processes knowledge, I also know how to be delicate with things. any answers are greatly appreciated. also any tips, tricks, clues, etc.. to this box are very welcome.

Thanks

 

[Northerner]

Come on chaps! We should be encouraging the younguns!

First of all well done on picking up a nice Sanyo... I have this model and it sounds great for a smaller sized box, surprising amounts of bass.

As for the stuff all over it, if that's plastic you may be screwed...anything like solvent to remove the plastic will strip the paint and melt the plastic casing too. Not sure what to suggest. If it were me I'd scrape it all off then sand and respray the box

 

[lacab100]

Thanks for the reply, I found that using a screen cleaning cloth and some elbo grease took the plasitc off without scratching. I used some plastice cleaner and scratch remover on the windows which cleaned them up nice. And a little brazzo took care of the bezels. There is still a little on the speakers, speaker grills, and any small nooks, but it looks much much better.

I can hear people cringe but I think I want to cut out the tape deck and graft in a small computer sub. Dont know how that would work but the tape deck dosnt work very well and I would never use it anyways.

Thanks for the reply

 

[lacab100]

Here are some more pictures

 

[jimmyjimmy19702010]

The M9990 is a cool box! You've done well to find a complete one too so no hassles finding parts. It would be a pity to tamper with the deck though - it would certainly kill it's value. Instead, I would do the line in hack that allows you to run an MP3 player through the unit without involving the record system of the deck. The details are on the site somewhere.

The decks on these Sanyo's actually sound pretty good so servicing the deck may be worth it!

Good luck,

James...

 

[k2j]

Yep, just like James said, carving in a speaker in the front is going to kill the value and probably not work and look like hell too.

Good job cleaning it up!!

 

[lacab100]

Yes I imagined it would kill the value. There are some issues with it, AM radio dosnt work, the antenna is broken, ive only gotten stereo fm to work once. The tape spinny things move with a little help in play, and work pretty well in reverse. Other than that pretty nice, and boy does it sound great.
I think I will do the line in mod, I would definitely use that

Are the "tape spinny things" called capstans?

 

[Fatdog]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr7pmy1mZhw

 

[Northerner]

Excellent clean up! Sometimes just a lot of elbow grease works

 

[retrohead]

a massive congratulations on first finding an m9990 in the trash and for getting it cleaned up so well-this is one of THE best 70s boxes by far.so it looks like all the dirt particles came off?youll find that if somethings been stuck on the paint of a boombox for quite some time that it will unfortunately in severe cases take the paint off with it,its happened to me too but if its a box thats as good as that one and your not bothered if its not 100 percent mint then its no bother-well thats how i think anyway a rocking find-well done

 

[superlew]

The 9990 deck is really "shoehorned" in, so adding a sub in place of it is gonna be tough. The deck really is a p.i.t.a. to service, but once you get it going it's rock solid.
If you're just in the mood for a mod, here's an easy one that won't hurt its integrity or value - matter of fact, it adds new functionality.:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIX1sdTd_i8

 

[bklyn sound]

looks great sometimes the best boxes are the dirty ones !!!! trust me i know please don't modify it leave a classic alone

 

[Line Out]

You don't need to add line in, just make or buy a cord with DIN to 3,5mm. Put a small plastic tube for example, cut q-tip. To the REMOTE hole and engage record on the deck.

I don't know if there are commercial cords from 3,5mm to DIN. I made one my self, should make more.


http://pulko.mandy.pagesperso-orange.fr/shinra/pic/din5-180.svg
So in this case, the picture presents a connector on the boombox.

I've done mine by connecting signal earth to the ground (metal housing), L to 1 and R to 4

Edit: The Sanyo has an automatic record level control, so with highly dynamic music the volume will go up and down accordingly (silent part, higher level), I bet this could be remedied by disabling the IC that handles the ALC, like I did with the D8444 (only had to cut one pin of IC). Though the Sanyo is miles better via the DIN input than the Philips is originally.

EDIT: left and right corrected for the DIN...