Cleaning an old Polish-Soviet Tank Cap

[DothWeed2142]

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.)

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Now, is it wise to take it to a dry cleaner?

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...

[Flying10uk]

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.

[matthanne1]

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....

[browningautorifle]

a tank cap

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.

[Flying10uk]

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.