Cleaning silk-screened text off the face of components. (1 Viewer)

[James D S]

Does anyone know how this could be done without harming the finish.

The two components I want to do this to are my Denon 4802 and Panasonic RP91.

The RP91, in particular, is anodized champange so cleaning of all the silk-screened text, of which there is a lot, might harm the finish.

Does anyone have a method that I could use that wouldn't allow damage to the faceplates.

In case anyone is wondering why I want to do this, I think clean faces look classier. And the RP91 has just too much junk written on the face and would look considerably better, IMO, were they removed.

Thanks.

 

[Clinton McClure]

If the faceplate is a brushed or polished metal, you should be able to use acetone (fingernail polish remover) fairly well. However, do not use it on plastic.

 

[Paul Gere]

OK I'll bite.

Um...why?

 

[James D S]

Thanks Clinton.

Paul, read the entire post.

 

[Brett DiMichele]

[ACTION] Stands in utter disbelief while circling his ear
with his pointer finger, mumbling Si Loco in De Cabase[/ACTION]
God Bless America...

 

[StephenMSmith]

Please tell how it turns out. My RP-91 is really stands out in my rack due to all the ridiculous lettering. Why do these guys think they have to put the whole marketing brochure on the faceplate? It's so un-classy.

Steve

 

[James D S]

Stephen,
Yeah, that's my problem. I realize that the RP91 has features out the wahzoo, but do you have to list every one of them on the faceplate. Many makers puts a nice removeable sticker on the top, but Panasonic thought it would be look good to have all that nonsense cluttering up what is otherwise a beautiful finish.
Now, if I just had the balls to try it. I had acetone in hand the other night, but couldn't bring myself to try Clinton's recomendation. :frowning:

 

[James D S]

Edit: Acetone does not work. As a matter of fact, it did absolutely nothing.

 

[Sean Conklin]

If it is indeed anodized aluminum, try some lacquer thinner. Also there is a chemical called "Chlorinite 8" (methylene chloride?), if you can find it be careful and try in a inconspicuous area first to make sure it wont damage the anodizing.

These may work but: USE AT YOUR OWN RISK

 

[James D S]

Thanks Sean, I'll check in to those.

 

[RichardH]

Try some sand paper
Yeah, I like the clean look too. NAD in particular has taken it to the other extreme. If they left anything else off, you wouldn't be able to tell who made it!

 

[John Royster]

Dremel anybody?

I'd think fine gritsand paper would work.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

When I worked for a pro-audio company, we silk screened the company logo on all the road cases. If this is the same thing the on home components, we used mineral spirits to dissolve the stuff. Again, try at your own risk.

I have an easy solution for black components, though. I just carefully cut a small piece of black electrical tape with a razor knife and cover the stupid logos. In a low- to medium-light home theater environment, you never notice it from the viewing position, and even up close you don’t notice it unless you are looking for it. I’ve cleaned up the appearance all my JVC VCRs, which are practically like billboards.

Happy Holidays,

Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[StephenMSmith]

Hmmm. That's a good point. I use tiny pieces of black electrical tape to hide a few unnecessary LED's in my system, and I sure can't discern the actual tape unless I'm really up close.

I'd prefer to just remove it though, so I'll let James try out a few different acids and report if he found one that worked before I go the tape route.

Steve

 

[James D S]

Wayne,

What is/are "mineral spirits?"

 

[Sean Conklin]

Mineral spirits is, in easy terms, oil based house paint thinner, and is milder than Acetone, if Acetone does not remove the logo's I really doubt mineral spirits will, but wouldn't hurt to try I guess.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Wait, it’s all coming back to me now! We used the mineral spirits when we flubbed a screen, so the ink was still fresh. For old beat-up logos, we just spray-painted over them and re-screened.
Sean is right. If Acetone didn't get it, mineral spirits sure won't. Sorry for the false alarm.
Hey, that’s it! Just paint over them!
Happy Holidays,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Geoff L]

You might try a citris based solvent. There are differnt types and brands, which all escape me right now except for a product called ~{GOO GONE}~...
They are cirtic acids in an oil base. They will remove perment ink but require some soaking. For the most part are harmless to metal & ~{Plastic for short periods of time}~.
You might try a piece of tissue soaked in the soulition and hold it in place on a section of lettering. On the metal no worry, ~{but plastic use at your own risk when soaking, rubbing or agitating}~!!! This may take some time and a soft toothbrush for agitation. Can't say it will work for sure, as I've never tried removeing what your trying, but had (excellent results) removeing perment ink and screening on other metal and plastic stuff!
It will take a little time and patients but ~MAY~ work. You should be able to tell if it's haveing an effect the first time you begen to agitate and wipe. It is harmless to the metal.
May work may not, {but generaly, will be harmless to the metal alumn surface}... Just another idea, also this product should be easy to find at your local hardware or K-mart. There are other much stronger types of citris based cleaners, but im sorry that thier brand names escape me at this time. You might try asking once at the store......
Geoff

 

[James D S]

Thanks Geoff. Goo Gone is pretty easy to get a hold of so I'll pick some up when I'm out and about tonight.

 

[Sean Conklin]

I'm not sure Goo-Gone is gonna touch that, but I LOVE Goo-Gone!! It removes all that nasty leftover goo from price tags and such!