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Hi, after a long wait, I have received a tank cap. It was heavily used by the guy who I got it from, and I would like to clean it as best as I can.
1. It is soaked with motor oil, while it dosent drip, the stench is quite strong.
2. I dipped it in hot water and I seemed to get a lot of the oil to go out.
Now, is it wise to take it to a dry cleaner? (I removed the speakers that were in it, but it still has the rubber caps that held them in place.)
Welcome to the forum...why not try the drycleaner? They may refuse it though. Is it antique or scarce? Is it basically a current item but just a bit old? If it is, I'd use spray and wash and wash it in hot water with my work clothing, coveralls and such. You could try a bath in Naptha first to eliminate the oil...no smoking though...Quote:
Originally Posted by DothWeed2142
For something like this I'd try car panel wipe. This is the liquid degreaser that you wipe over, on a cloth, a vehicle panel before you spray/respray it to remove any grease silicone etc etc. It is highly flammable, so take safety precautions, and it smells but it does evaporate quickly. I wouldn't submerse the cap in panel wipe, only rub it on and rub off with cloths. I have used this method successfully with things such as canvas mag pouches that have been soaked in oil/grease. I would NOT recommend paint thinners as an alternative. Try to avoid getting the panel wipe on any rubber parts and I would also advise using gloves while using this product.
A wipe down as described above is best, and what the tankers did anyway. The throat mikes (if still present) may be damaged otherwise. I wired mine to work on a PS system, but no one can understand me when I switch the throat mikes on....
This is a TANK HELMET? You call it a cap? Then no dry cleaning or wash machine. It's like post 3(or 4) states...and that's about it. Our AFV helmets were always stinky. Not much you can do.Quote:
Originally Posted by DothWeed2142
A canvas PPSh-41 mag pouch which was covered in oil/grease came up lovely with the Panel Wipe treatment method. I used quite a few wipe overs with the stuff but after all the Panel Wipe had evaporated, it took several days to fully evaporate, from the canvas I was amazed at how good it looked.