Heathkit HW-101 Part #2: Cleaning & Inspection

In this the second episode for this series, I tackle the gross job of cleaning off all that smoke and nicotine goo. See how well this old rig cleans up, and see what problems show up after the cleaning.
No endorsement is made nor implied to any commercial products referenced in this episode.

[@berndb.5097]

It was so wonderful to see all the dirt drain off. I really felt sorry for the poor HW-101. How good that someone has done the work to create a new front. I'm really confident and see the HW-101 in good hands :-) 73 de Bernd

[@jimw7ry]

10:51the common wisdon on the carrier balance pot is to replace it with a 10 or 20 turn 200 Ohm Bourns pot from Mouser.

[@tennesseered586]

Those "little streams of brown ooze" contain toxic amounts of nicotine. Don't let it get on your skin! Nicotine poisoning used to be common among airline mechanics who worked on pressurization outflow valves back in the days when people smoked on airliners. Seeing this radio, you have to wonder why anyone would ever take up smoking.

[@t1d100]

Wonderful! Thank you! Please give us an idea of the status of the odor, on the next episode.

[@davidkerl1431]

Brown gunk. Imagine what the previous owners lungs looked like!! Dave N9HF

[@maxasaurus3008]

Exactly my thought!!!

[@dannystephens7246]

I used DOW Scrubbing bubbles bathroom cleaner on mine. Had to do it twice to get it clean and it won't harm the paint or boards. I loosened all the screws on the boards so the cleaner could get under them. De-ox-it and youtube are your friend when working on these old boat anchors. I went ahead and sand blasted the case and repainted it with a Sage green paint. Going for function not form right now! New dial kit and new silicone rubbers. Still a work in progress.

[@PBTfpv]

I loved watching this video. I have an old HW-101 and matching power supply that haven't been powered on in 20+ years. I have to build a new power cable as that is long lost, but I was going to do that and try to just power it up... now that I've watched this I'm thinking just firing it up right away may not be the best idea. I don't have the skills to check all the components, nor know anyone who does.... what do you suggest for trying to get this thing going? Thanks!!

[@brianbloom1799]

Stain white Bristle Brush works better, and Royal Purple works Great, for Cleaning solution.

[@R2AUK]

👍❤

[@MrGigi-dz9cv]

Panels are extremly sensitive. Even the window cleaner destroys the panel paint.

[@dannyweasner5823]

The Front Panel Must be of Cigarette or Cigar Smoke or also hand sweat from the hands.

[@tennesseered586]

That "discoloration" is corroded aluminum. I haven't done this but I'd first try a mild solution of Castile soap and very warm water. FYI, Simple Green cleaner will corrode aluminum, too. 409 is likewise way too fierce; don't use it.

[@tubeDude48]

SMOKERS...YA YOU!! See what your lungs look like!!!!

[@user-iy4yp9oq9e]

Tiêu đề tiếng Việt Nam là sao nhỉ

[@FireandFrostHVAC]

If that’s how the guy’s radio looked, I wonder what his house looked like? 🤢🤮

[@tubeDude48]

OPTIONAL: *Tarn-X* works wonders on contacts.

[@MikePeace]

What brand contact cleaner?

[@levelupeelab]

For spray cleaning I use CAIG Contact Cleaner Wash. But when I target just the contacts themselves with cotton or sponge swabs I use Deoxit D5.

[@scottmorgan5370]

Looks like Nicotine from back in the day when it was "cool" to smoke...