How to thoroughly clean CPC 6128

[dodogildo]

I want to dismantle and thoroughly clean my CPC 6128 without causing a damage.


I want to clean:
-the keyboard
-outside the case
-inside the case / the board / connectors
-disk drive (not necessary as I'm only using a floppy emulator but would be nice to know how to)


What do you think? Where should I start, and what substances should I use?

[chinnyhill10]

I want to dismantle and thoroughly clean my CPC 6128 without causing a damage.


I want to clean:
-the keyboard
-outside the case
-inside the case / the board / connectors
-disk drive (not necessary as I'm only using a floppy emulator but would be nice to know how to)


What do you think? Where should I start, and what substances should I use?

Isopropyl alcohol and appropriate electronics swabs. If the case and keys are really bad, give them a soak in warm water as well.

[Bryce]

I wouldn't clean the membrane with Isopropanol, just a damp cloth and only the top outer surface.

Bryce.

[dodogildo]

I'd also like to know how to dismantle all, properly?

As I'm looking forward to wash the casing with soap and hot water...

[EgoTrip]

Put it in the dishwasher

[Bryce]

Put it in the dishwasher

Don't suggest things that are obviously going to damage the computer. Someone less smart might think you are serious and do it!

Bryce.

[Lazy Dude]

one tip I would also give is to take pictures of the thing as you take it apart for reference when  you put it back together.

[dodogildo]

Don't suggest things that are obviously going to damage the computer. Someone less smart might think you are serious and do it!

Bryce.

Also: it's not funny at all..

[chinnyhill10]

I wouldn't clean the membrane with Isopropanol, just a damp cloth and only the top outer surface.

Bryce.

I'd leave the membrane well alone and not dismantle it that far. With 1980's membranes you seem to get more problems when you start disturbing them so I'd leave that part of the keyboard intact.

[dodogildo]

one tip I would also give is to take pictures of the thing as you take it apart for reference when  you put it back together.

Hmm, very nice idea!

[chinnyhill10]

Don't suggest things that are obviously going to damage the computer. Someone less smart might think you are serious and do it!

Bryce.

I know someone who uses a dishwasher for really grotty stuff he buys. But he knows what he's doing, uses no detergent and uses the "Baby" setting.

[Lazy Dude]

Hmm, very nice idea!

also can sellotape screws to a sheet of paper and write where it came from.

soapy warm water on plastic is ok , just don't use blisteringly hot water as it may warp the plastic, and dont drown it!!!

[Bryce]

I know someone who uses a dishwasher for really grotty stuff he buys. But he knows what he's doing, uses no detergent and uses the "Baby" setting.

Dishwashers are a silent killer for electronics. Even without detergent. The machine takes salt too. So unless you have a brand new machine that never had salt put in you are coating the PCB in salt. It won't kill the electronics immediately (most of the time), but it eats slowly into the circuit and it will fail prematurely. I've tried fixing salt damaged electronics in the past, but they are usually beyond repair. If you must clean the PCB, then Isopropanol and a soft paintbrush is all you need.

Bryce.

[chinnyhill10]

Dishwashers are a silent killer for electronics. Even without detergent. The machine takes salt too. So unless you have a brand new machine that never had salt put in you are coating the PCB in salt. It won't kill the electronics immediately (most of the time), but it eats slowly into the circuit and it will fail prematurely. I've tried fixing salt damaged electronics in the past, but they are usually beyond repair. If you must clean the PCB, then Isopropanol and a soft paintbrush is all you need.

Bryce.

I'm only talking about the plastics. Only a complete moron would stick a PCB through a dishwasher! 

[TrainingForUtopia]

I cleaned many of my cases in the dishwasher. You should not use the hottest program and everything is ok.

[dodogildo]

I'd be very grateful if an admin could clean this thread off the flames else It seems I'll never be able to clean my 6128 as I dreamed
Cheers

Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk

[Gryzor]

Well, I put the thread through the intensive dishwasher program and then rinsed it with chlorine. All is better in the world now. Thanks  for reporting this thread, and I apologise to the rest of the users who had to witness it as I just got back home from work.

[dodogildo]

I found this video while waiting the dish, well, getting washed - >
"Retro Special - Amstrad CPC464 Cleaning/Testing & A Game Gift." on YouTube

Hope it's very similar with the 6128

Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk

[TFM]

Hope it's very similar with the 6128

What I remember to keep it mind is the Read/Write pin of the floppy disc drive. That get's lost very easily when for example the drive belt get's replaced. Few drives use optical diodes though IIRC. Also it's important to handle the keyboard membranes really friendly. 

[chinnyhill10]

Also it's important to handle the keyboard membranes really friendly. 

There's no need to take the membrane out of the keyboard if it is working fine. They are best left where they are. I see so many issues where people start fiddling with their membranes (The Atari XE is espcially prone to this) and then are surprised when it stops working.

[dodogildo]

I think I'll stick with @chinnyhill10's advice and leave the membranes alone [emoji111]

[TFM]

There's no need to take the membrane out of the keyboard if it is working fine. They are best left where they are. I see so many issues where people start fiddling with their membranes (The Atari XE is espcially prone to this) and then are surprised when it stops working.

That's very true and true for a lot of things (cars!) where people clean too much or repair too much. However, if somebody WANT to do it, then it's important to have patience and do it careful.

[AMSDOS]

I used a small Battery powered (USB Optional) Vacuum (slightly larger than a Desktop Mouse), to get the Dust off the Membrane. It had enough power to get the dust off it without sucking up the Membrane. The vacuum came with all the miniature parts that you would get with a regular vacuum cleaner.

[dodogildo]

I used a small Battery powered (USB Optional) Vacuum (slightly larger than a Desktop Mouse), to get the Dust off the Membrane. It had enough power to get the dust off it without sucking up the Membrane. The vacuum came with all the miniature parts that you would get with a regular vacuum cleaner.

A friend of mine mistakenly ordered that miniature vacuum from a credit card awards catalog, instead of a real size vacuum