Cleaning the outer casing...

[thebassman]

I have just aquired a Revox B77 machine which,I'm glad to say seems to be OK.The only thing about it that bothers me is that the outer casing has taken on a slightly sticky feel.It feels,and looks sorta dirty,and it's easy to leave a mark if you rub your thumbnail across it!This ,I presume is not normal,and I wondered if anyone else had come across this and if so,how did you deal with it?
It actually looks as if it needs a good wash,to be honest.Either that,or a coat of black satin,because it does detract from the aesthetics of this grand machine.*?confused*

[jbrainey]

What do you think the "residue" is? Did it come from a smokers home?

[nestbox]

He got it from me and I refuse to say what the residue is ("uuuugHH -ARRRR!")

[thebassman]

LOL If I got it from you then you need to see about yourself pronto!It's not a smokers residue,I don't think as it doesn't seem to have a smell.Colour wise,its a natural grey,which actually matches the rest of the unit,and it's evenly distributed.It's as if the original finish has gone off,so to speak.I cant believe it's meant to be like this tho'.I don;t think a pic would be of any use,as it's a more tactile thing...Definitely sticky!*grin*

[nestbox]

I smoke actually, especially befire and after er... well, that doesn't matter. What does is that you might consider taking the cover off to inspect the innards. If the residue ("Ahem!") is inside then I would be careful with running it before a service, or playing valued reels on it (Look at heads). Basically, give it a thorough eyeball. Regs. M.

[speakerman1]

Some chemicals will do that to the paint. So the may have tried to clean it with something they shouldn't have.

The way you talk you will have to strip it to paint again.
Larry

[thebassman]

There's no residue on the inside of the box,and the machine works fine,heads are clean etc.It just seems that the original finish has detereorated (is that spelt right?) in some way.It feels that if I could somehow scrape!! the residue off,then I would be back to the original finish.Which begs the question..What is the original finish actually like?
If I can't find a solution then I guess I'll just have to live with it.I just wondered if anyone else had seen this before.
Oh, and Nestbox,smoking is fine before and after.It's when you actually burst into flames is when it becomes a problem!!*wink*

[thebassman]

Update on this.I happened to be browsing AudioKarma.org and came across someone else with this problem.I PM'd him and he said that he had WASHED the case under the shower,using water as hot as he could stand,and shampoo,NOT to scrub and it cleaned it right up!
I'm slightly daunted by this as it involves separating the unit from it's case,but he said it did the trick!

I dunno.........

[DaveInVA]

A belt sander with some 80 grit would likely do the trick also *yes*

[justin31972]

It's common with the B-series for the paint to get sticky, although I've only heard about it happening to the B-710 cassette deck. Same finish.

[SaSi_Sidi]

A belt sander with some 80 grit would likely do the trick also *yes*

*eyepop*
Only if your intention is to destroy the deck. Then you can sandblast it which will leave a better finish.

The B series of Revox machines are coated with a revolutionary (for it's time) paint called nextel. For information on the paint itself check here (http://www.nextel-coating.com/nextel/default.asp).

The problem with the early versions of this paint is that they accumulate fine dirt particles (smoke, exhaust fumes, you name it) from the air and that remains on the surface of the paint. Also, the paint deteriorates after a couple of decades to the point that even scrubbing with a damp cloth will remove part of the paint.

The best way to restore a Revox unit is to remove the old paint and re-paint it using brand new nextel paint. It's a two substance paint requiring it's own primer to be applied before the suede paint is applied.

If you can't do that (can't purchase the paint) the next best thing is to send the enclosure parts to someone in Germany who offers a refinishing service through the german ebay.

For the rest of us, I've tried something that seems to work great provided the finish wasn't destroyed by careless scrubbing.

Remove the panels, or in the case of the B77, remove the back cabinet (it's 4 screws in the back IIRC).
Then put the nextel painted panels in the bathtub and spray them with lukewarm water using the shower.
Then, when they are pretty wet, rinse them with some shampoo (with no conditioner, please).
With a strong flow from the shower, rinse water on the items in a way that foam is created. Use the water spray to clean the dirt and foam from the panels.
If they are very dirty you may need to leave them soak for some time and/or repeat the process a couple of times.
The water needs to be warm, not hot. As warm as you can handle on your hand.
When you are done, leave the panels to dry by evaporation. It might take an hour or so.
Then you are done.

I have cleaned a couple of B795s and a B791 as well as the cabinet of a B77 and the panels from a B710 and a B750 this way. The only thing that failed to restore to it's former glory was a panel from a B710 that the previous owner attempted to scrub clean. The suede finish was ruined and the color shifted to darker/blackish.

[toddbailey]

With these machines being 40 years old I think the original color/ paint formulation is the least of our problems.
If cleaning doesn't work out then refinishing is suggested.
I'd suggest hitting an Ace hardware or equiv and picking up a can or 2 of spray paint, sandpaper primer and solvent.
I am not familiar enough with these machines but if the case is plastic then any thing stronger than isopropyl is not suggested. If metal then you can be more aggressive. and if wood some where in between.

Just clean best you can then scuff up the surface and prime and paint. common sense is the key.

[thebassman]

Thanx for all the input guys,and to you SaSi,for coming in.I guess it's not that important,when all's said and done,because it is cosmetic after all.
I'll try a few things mentioned on here and see how it goes.Watch this space......