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Cleaning up a turn signal switch

toolmanmike

toolmanmike

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I got ahold of an original turn signal switch that feels real good. The detents are nice and firm. I would rather not take it apart to clean it and may by re-lube it but it has some original sticky grease on it. Any thing good to spray on it to clean but not damage the plastic?

20251008_205644.jpg
 
I would clean it using a Q-Tip first to get all the excess grease...then I would use denature alcohol. Do you have a non-working switch you could verify the denatured alcohol doesn't damage it?
 
Koenig1425 said:
I would clean it using a Q-Tip first to get all the excess grease...then I would use denature alcohol. Do you have a non-working switch you could verify the denatured alcohol doesn't damage it?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip. I will have to dig. I can't remember if I saved my old switch. :BangHead: :BangHead:
 
If it was mine, I would try something with a petroleum based thinner. Use an ear cleaner with cotton on each end.(q-tip?)(sp) available almost everywhere. Don’t chince out and buy really cheap ones.
I got a fantastic deal at Super Store. Don’t do a good job on my ears. I use them to clean small car parts.
To embarrassed to say what little I saved, originally bought them for wax in my ears.
Hopefully someone will give you more information.
 
A no name q tip cotton came off in my ear once . Had to get my daughter to dig it out.
True story.
 
The sacrificial one to experiment on first is a good idea. I play with retro audio stuff and I went to clean a gear that at least appeared to be the same off white plastic as the turn signal, as soon as the alcohol touched it cracks instantly formed and it popped apart.
 
Its nylon. Its chemical resistant. Scrub the hell out of it with anything you want.
 
I was thinking about cleaning mine in my ultrasonic cleaner using Simple Green. If not, brake cleaner.
 
toolmanmike said:
Thanks for the tip. I will have to dig. I can't remember if I saved my old switch. :BangHead: :BangHead:
Click to expand...
At least try to save the switch lever thingy as a spare, in case a tab breaks off your switch. It pries right off.
 
I cleaned mine up in-car with Sprayway cleaner and a paintbrush. That stuff is awesome and gentle, and it foams up so it helps get into little nooks and crannies better than a liquid. It's also great as a final clean & degrease on a surface just before painting or clearcoating. I've seen numerous people on YouTube using it as a general cleaner.

Sprayway Glass Cleaner

steeringwheelinnards2-jpg.jpg
 
I forgot to mention, I went to the pharmacy that sold the same q-tips that are used in Dr’s offices. Swab only on one end. Cotton doesn’t come off.
 
I always keep some Q-tips handy, but a paintbrush does a much more effective job at getting into complex little spaces...and never leaves fragments of cotton behind.
 
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