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Post by pearldiver on Sept 18, 2006 16:37:39 GMT -8
Hi..... I can't find the thread of the USD1 expert on here. So I'll start a new thread. The museum has a USD1 system that has black marks on it along with scratches. (The regulator is attached along with the pressure guage and are original ones.) What or how would I get the marks off without ruining the fiberglass case. ?? Is there a special cleaning compound that I could use on this? Thanks Gayle
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Post by SeaRat on Sept 18, 2006 17:52:06 GMT -8
The case is not made of fiberglass, but of ABS plastic ("thermal-formed ABS, or thermoformed Cycolac [registered] plastic). You will have to use something which does not affect ABS. I don't know what that might be. You could do an experiment with a very small portion in an inconspicious place, and see whether it works.
John
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Post by SeaRat on Sept 18, 2006 18:04:34 GMT -8
Gayle,
Actually, if you have a UDS-1 that is for a museum, I can try out a compound on my UDS-1, as I dive it and the case is fairly well worn. What are the black marks made of? Are you looking to put it into diving shape? If not, that's a shame, because it is great to dive.
John
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Post by SeaRat on Sept 18, 2006 20:38:17 GMT -8
Gayle,
'Good news, I used isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol, 70% IPA and 30% water) on my UDS-1 shell this evening with good results. It pulled off several stains and smudges. I also tried Windex, which contains ammonia, with similar results (though it did not get the smudges off as easily). I would stay away from the Windex or ammonia solutions though, as I don't know whether they will have a long-term effect on the ABS plastic. One other caution is that some of the ABS plastic on the UDS-1 is very thin, and may crack if you push on it hard. Be very gentle. Most is fine, and some (the bottom) is doubled over for reinforcement. I had to reinforce the handle with a two-part liquid cement and a 1/4 inch aluminum rod, which I glued into the inside of both the top and bottom shell's handle.
Good luck,
John
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Post by pearldiver on Sept 19, 2006 18:45:57 GMT -8
There you are John. I couldn't find our old post on the USD1. No, the USD1 is not museum quality. The black marks look like a black shoe scuff mark on a floor. I'd like to dive one once. When these units came out on the market, I dreweled a little. They were more expensive than a set of twin 50's which I purchased instead since I already had about five or six regulators and pressure guages. I'd have to drag the thing to the water's edge to dive one now and suck on oxygen for a half hour before diving to catch my breath because I'm so out of shape. I'm diving a single 50 aluminum and going to get a couple of new steel smaller type size tanks and possibly rig up a set of doubles out of them somehow. Anyway... back to the USD1... I can try xylol or toululene. Do you think that would hurt it? One swipe and I think it would come off. But xylol does the number on plastic if you rub it.
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Post by pearldiver on Sept 19, 2006 18:48:15 GMT -8
We must have posted at the same time. I'll try the alchohol tomorrow and see what happens.  I;ll let you know. Thank you so much. PS: there are cobwebs in the regulator mouthpiece. The Poor thing has been abandoned and neglected. |
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Post by SeaRat on Sept 21, 2006 22:09:35 GMT -8
I once found a spider nest in my Dacor Pacer after it stayed in the shed for a winter. Not good...'Hope the alcohol worked. I would not try either of the solvents you discussed, as they are pretty "hot" (meaning they will dissolve things). By the way, I think the chemical name is xylene, as it is not an alcohol (ol suffix). Tolulene is also a solvent that can damage plastics. Both would probably remove that nice finished look the UDS-1 has. John PS--Have someone take the UDS-1 to the water for you. Work it a little, and I think you'll like it. But do read my other thread so that it's balanced correctly. You can find both here (there's a link to the other one): vintagescuba.proboards2.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&n=1&thread=729 |
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Post by pearldiver on Sept 23, 2006 10:09:01 GMT -8
John, Thanks for the info... I have been to the museum, but only sorting again. It's actually a giant mess, so cleaning is going to wait for a week or so. I think you are right though. Alchohol will work. I may drag the USD1 into the pool just to see what it acts like and maybe clean all the dirt off it!! I'll keep in touch. gayle |
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Post by scubadiverbob on Sept 27, 2006 23:02:57 GMT -8
no one mentioned this ... I'd contact a local college ... find out if they teach Industrial Technology. If they do, ask if they have a Polymers class and who the instructor is. Contact the instructor and they should be able to help you. I have an BSIT degree; but, over ten years sence I took a Polymers (plastics) class. I definately would not use paraxylene (xylol) on any diving equipment (it is used to dissolve wax so probably will do the same to most low density polymer chains; pour some into a styrofoam (polystyrene) cup and see what happens - hold it over a sink !!!). Toluene and MEK (Menthyl Ethyl Ketone) would also be very bad choices. Alcohol probably ok. Most dive shops use distilled white vinegar to clean regulators. That might also work. Hope this helps ...
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Post by scubadiverbob on Sept 28, 2006 21:13:42 GMT -8
I used to repair over sixty types of ATM/POS terminals and if I remember right they were made of ABS plastic. We used a cleaner called Awesome (2-butoxy ethanol; not the type of ethanol that can be drunk; though, that might work) to clean with and diluted it worked great. for info call 1-800-482-2875. I'm not saying to use this; you would have to ask the manufacture of the cleaner how it would work for what you want to clean. This cleaner is also "Made in the USA"! I'm also looking for work. Anyone looking to hire an ATM repairperson please PM me and I'll send you a copy of my resume ...
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Post by nemrod on Sept 29, 2006 0:38:44 GMT -8
You could use a cleaner/wax for plastics (Meguires makes one) generally available at auto stores and as well plastic supply houses. The black marks are probably from rubber fins and should easily wipe off.
James
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Post by pearldiver on Sept 29, 2006 13:49:28 GMT -8
That's a good idea too. Thanks Nemrod. By the way, I do know that xylol melts plastic. I use it with my work on occasion and i had... yes had a nice polymere type flooring in my trailer. I accidently put a rag with this stuff on the floor and it turned into melted wet what ever and I had to scrape it off to the wood subfloor. No, I won't use it on the USD-1. I do know it would take the marks off though!! Along with about .010 or more of the ABS plastic. I haven't been back to the museum due to MRI results, Dr.s etc. but hope to this week. I must have had a great time at Wazee, because I blew a disc in my neck the last day there, not the disc on my tank. But it sure feels like that BB is jammed into my neck!!
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I;ll let you know. Thank you so much. PS: there are cobwebs in the regulator mouthpiece. The Poor thing has been abandoned and neglected. 
