Help needed with old synthesizer

[waddycall]

A bit of an odd question for a welding forum but it's probably best asked here than anywhere else.......

My old synthesizer has been in storage for a few years and it's now really showing its age. I'd like to clean it up and refresh it a bit but I'm a bit concerned about what to use on the paint. It's started to rust in a couple of places and has a kind of bloom over it. The laquer on the knobs is peeling too. Would a rattle can clear laquer work on these?

Thanks,
Pete

 

[Chris Stevens]

Maybe an idea to see if it still works before doing any cosmetic work?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I'd start with a weak APC [All Purpose Cleaner] solution and see how you go from there.

For the knobs, iirc some items of electrical components were plastic coated [think...clear shrink-wrap kind of stuff which could be peeled off] so lacquer might be a mismatch.

 

[waddycall]

Maybe an idea to see if it still works before doing any cosmetic work?

Yep, needs a bit of faderlube but otherwise all good!

 

[waddycall]

I'd start with a weak APC [All Purpose Cleaner] solution and see how you go from there.

For the knobs, iirc some items of electrical components were plastic coated [think...clear shrink-wrap kind of stuff which could be peeled off] so lacquer might be a mismatch.

Thanks Slim boy. Not sure if these would have been plastic coated due to the black plastic bit in the middle??? Replacements are available at $10 each plus postage, shipping, import duty!!!

 

[voipio]

Start with a vacuum cleaner hose brought close to the panel whilst using a soft bristled brush to get the lighter dust off, then move on to using a just ever so slightly damp cloth or fine-grained sponge. If there are any deposits left, move on to a little bit of detergent in the water, or use some of that all purpose cleaner.

The knobs can probably be taken off and washed under a tap with a tooth or nail brush.

Do you still have the keyboard for it?

There's a good demo of this synth in action:

 

[waddycall]

Start with a vacuum cleaner hose brought close to the panel whilst using a soft bristled brush to get the lighter dust off, then move on to using a just ever so slightly damp cloth or fine-grained sponge. If there are any deposits left, move on to a little bit of detergent in the water, or use some of that all purpose cleaner.

The knobs can probably be taken off and washed under a tap with a tooth or nail brush.

Do you still have the keyboard for it?

There's a good demo of this synth in action:

Thanks for the video - good stuff! Yes it's all complete like the unit in th video. Sadly not as pristine! It's already been dusted/wiped clean but the paint is looking poor. What looks like dirt on the knobs is peeling laquer/plastic coating.

 

[julianf]

He is not a budget option, but I assume you are aware of Jeff at customsynth?

 

[waddycall]

He is not a budget option, but I assume you are aware of Jeff at customsynth?

I wasn't but I am now! Although all I can find online is an eBay shop selling retro t shirts.

 

[julianf]

Odd. He used to have a website. Maybe its all word of mouth or something now.

Do a Google image search of "customsynth" - obviously a lot of them just look like new units, but, for example, there never were black sh101s etc.

I very loosely know the man, so, if you get stuck, I'll dig out his contact details.

I do CNC for synths - people sometimes ask tasks that would just be better with print, so I suggest Jeff to all of them. But again, its not a budget option.

Cause its relevant and of interest, and I'm not trying to sell (as it would be no good for this job) but my site is thebeast.co.uk There's some refinished 606s and 303s there, but its only CNC that I still do.

 

[anjum]

The main problem you have is not the dials or the rust. It's the graphics, unless you are a genius with a small paint brush anything you do will result in damaging the graphics.

A good clean with something like Iron X might help and if it's sufficient then you can live with it.

If not then a cheaper option than a new plate would be to take all the knobs off and take a picture or scan the plate in and have it reproduced in a vinyl sticker then stick it on top.

 

[waddycall]

Odd. He used to have a website. Maybe its all word of mouth or something now.

Do a Google image search of "customsynth" - obviously a lot of them just look like new units, but, for example, there never were black sh101s etc.

I very loosely know the man, so, if you get stuck, I'll dig out his contact details.

I do CNC for synths - people sometimes ask tasks that would just be better with print, so I suggest Jeff to all of them. But again, its not a budget option.

Cause its relevant and of interest, and I'm not trying to sell (as it would be no good for this job) but my site is thebeast.co.uk There's some refinished 606s and 303s there, but its only CNC that I still do.

Thanks Julian. - that's interesting stuff!

 

[waddycall]

One thing that's bugging me a bit is that a quick wipe over with a damp sponge makes it look almost new. When it dries it goes back to the dull dirty looking finish. Is there some kind of polish I could safely use on this???

 

[julianf]

pledge (the spray stuff)

or whatever you use on your car

 

[waddycall]

pledge (the spray stuff)

or whatever you use on your car

Thank you. A clean with medical grade wet wipes, wipe off with a damp sponge and a quick trial with pledge and it's looking loads better!

I think I'll do a bit of disassembly over the next few days and give it a good going over.

 

[anjum]

That's great. A good car wax may make it look even better. I use Finishkare 1000p for loads of things, even the cars!!

 

[julianf]

Use isopropynl to get the keys clean.

(Spelling ma be wrong propan2ol)