Cleaning up a turn signal switch

[toolmanmike]

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?

 

[Koenig1425]

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?

 

[toolmanmike]

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?

Thanks for the tip. I will have to dig. I can't remember if I saved my old switch.

 

[440 4 speed]

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.

 

[MarPar]

Simple Green with a high-quality Q-tip. Main thing I would say is that the Q-tip doesn't let hair/fuzzies off.

Something akin to this...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/272232520570

And don't soak the tip with Simple Green. A litl dab will do ya.

 

[RemCharger]

A no name q tip cotton came off in my ear once . Had to get my daughter to dig it out.
True story.

 

[OneWheelPeel]

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.

 

[gkent]

Its nylon. Its chemical resistant. Scrub the hell out of it with anything you want.

 

[bee71]

A no name q tip cotton came off in my ear once . Had to get my daughter to dig it out.
True story.

Didn't your doctor ever tell you to never stick anything bigger than your elbow in your ear?

 

[MarPar]

 

[toolmanmike]

Didn't your doctor ever tell you to never stick anything bigger than your elbow in your ear?

 

[eldubb440]

why not brake clean?

 

[gtxdana]

I was thinking about cleaning mine in my ultrasonic cleaner using Simple Green. If not, brake cleaner.

 

[Dave6T4]

Didn't your doctor ever tell you to never stick anything bigger than your elbow in your ear?

Smaller?

 

[Dave6T4]

Thanks for the tip. I will have to dig. I can't remember if I saved my old switch.

At least try to save the switch lever thingy as a spare, in case a tab breaks off your switch. It pries right off.

 

[Coelacanth]

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

 

[440 4 speed]

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.

 

[Coelacanth]

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.