Cleaning old I/O connectors (Vintage Computers) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 07, 2014, 04:49:48 am
content: So, I have an ever-growing collection of old computers and one thing I've been putting off doing while repairing/refurbishing them is cleaning up the connectors.I tried once with some isopropyl alcohol and some DeoxIT D100 and it didn't really seem to be that effective.Attached is an example. The connectors are very dull with what looks like maybe some kind of surface corrosion. This is common on all my old stuff. Nothing is rusted, just "old" looking.I'd like to keep the machines as original as possible so I don't really want to go replacing components unless they absolutely need to be. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can clean these up a bit?Moving slightly off-topic but if anyone is curious, so far my collection consists of:Apple IIeApple Macintosh ClassicApple Macintosh SE FDHDApple Macintosh LC575Apple Power Macintosh 7600/200Amstrad PC1512DDAmstrad NC100Commodore 64Atari 1040STIBM PS/2 Model 30 (8530-E21)IBM PC 286, 386, 486 & Pentium clonesToshiba 440CDX laptopNintendo Game Boy (Original model)Various Compaq/HP PocketPC'sI'm actually not a fan of modern Apple products (I'm a Windows/Android (PrivatOS) user).

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2014, 05:29:54 am
content: Try using a solution of ammonia or a commercial cleaner based on ammonia and rinse in Isopropyl alcohol.

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2014, 05:43:04 am
content: Weak acid may help. Test some vinegar/coke on it or something of similar metallic condition.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2014, 05:59:32 am
content: Take out of case, and scrub with a toothbrush using some talcum powder ( or powdered chalk) in water with a drop of liquid detergent in it. Then wash with more water and a clean toothbrush until clean. Dry with a soft cloth and gentle heating from a hair dryer set on low. Inside the connectors use some pipe cleaners ( yes they are still available) to remove all the gunk, and they will come out shiny and clean. Then use the Deoxit to preserve the clean surface.I had to buy a 25kg bag of the fine scouring powder, it was quite cheap. It is used as a thickener in your kitchen ammoniated scouring liquids.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2014, 03:29:20 pm
content: Tooth paste is very good as it contains a fine abrasive, then rinse well with water and alchohol.

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2018, 12:53:10 am
content: Iso-propyl alcohol and stick swabs and if that doesn't work its going to be either abrasion or chemistry! I've used wire wool and then the compressor followed by IPA and the compressor again.

author: woodchips
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2018, 06:00:57 pm
content: If they are gold plated then don't! The plating is so thin that abrasive of any kind will rub it off, then you have problems.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2018, 07:03:53 pm
content: That's all new stuffPeople repairing old test equipment use Caig DeOxit once gross crud has been removed. There are different versions for generic metal connections, gold plated connections, and carbon connections (i.e. pots). I make no comment about any significant differences between those variants.

author: dave_k
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2018, 11:08:58 pm
content: The connectors in the photo aren't that unique .. why not just replace them with new ones?

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 07:53:31 am
content: as long as they are not gold plated, fiberglass pencils work really well getting corrosion off if your careful with them

author: cvanc
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2018, 03:36:32 pm
content: Quote from: dexters_lab on January 23, 2018, 07:53:31 amLots of good suggestions in this thread but I want to +1 the fiberglass pencils. I just started using them about a year ago and find them quite effective.

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2018, 06:54:58 pm
content: spray contact-cleaner / switch-cleaner onto a tissue and rub the sockets.it coats them with a fine oil so they stay shiny.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 24, 2018, 09:12:15 pm
content: Quote from: cvanc on January 23, 2018, 03:36:32 pmGood suggestion and something I hadn't thought of myself.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2018, 09:32:30 pm
content: For inside connectors and tiny spaces I use the inter tooth spacing cleaners you can buy in very different sizes. I have no idea about the english name for these but they are available in straight and 45 degrees bent versions.