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Aussie Pinball Forums => Technical Matters => Pinball Repairs / Problems & Assistance => Topic started by: MartyJ on February 01, 2009, 12:01:07 PM

Title: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: MartyJ on February 01, 2009, 12:01:07 PM
Hi guys,

I've run out of things to do on the T2 until I get the decal issue sorted....

I have now turned to the final step of cleaning the wire ramps.  I've done the usual of soaking/scrubbing with warm water & some nifti...For some reason I cannot get one cleaned.  Its got some sort of build up on it which refuses to budge and I cannot get it clean or shiny.  I even tried some calcium and rust remover on it...The other one (which I suspect is a newer ramp) came up like new...

Has anyone got any good tips for bringing a wire ramp back to life?
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: Creech on February 01, 2009, 12:10:56 PM
Could you test a spot with some Oxalic acid? I think you can get it from Bunnings.

Here is a previous post about it: http://aussiepinball.com/index.php?topic=110.msg3880#msg3880, courtesy of Marty Machine.
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: Strangeways on February 01, 2009, 12:24:11 PM

I've used Brasso and a stiff toothbrush - if the dirt is not too embedded.
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: slammer on February 01, 2009, 12:29:36 PM
I know it sounds stupid, but I just removed the wire ramps from my cactus jacks out of the disherwasher!

They were absolutley filthy, and have come out better than new!

You could try that first, mine went it for the 30 min short cycle with the normal dishwasher detergent.

PS I also put in all my clear plastic ramps (even with stickers on them) and they came out spot on as well, all that was needed was a quick going over with the perspex polish to get rid of the water marks.

Cheers Angelo

Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: Pinball Fixers on February 01, 2009, 12:32:23 PM
I know it sounds stupid, but I just removed the wire ramps from my cactus jacks out of the disherwasher!

They were absolutley filthy, and have come out better than new!

You could try that first, mine went it for the 30 min short cycle with the normal dishwasher detergent.

PS I also put in all my clear plastic ramps (even with stickers on them) and they came out spot on as well, all that was needed was a quick going over with the perspex polish to get rid of the water marks.

Cheers Angelo


There have been some horror stories from people washing plastic ramps and plastics in their dishwashers - mainly from having it on for too long, or too hot - so anyone wanting to give this a go, PLEASE do a test run first!

Some of the plastic ramps and plastics are near impossible to replace, so if you have a machine where these parts are not available, use the dishwasher trick at your own risk.

Also, make sure you strip down all the wiring, lamp sockets and switches from anything you put through the dishwasher.
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: slammer on February 01, 2009, 12:57:50 PM
I know it sounds stupid, but I just removed the wire ramps from my cactus jacks out of the disherwasher!

They were absolutley filthy, and have come out better than new!

You could try that first, mine went it for the 30 min short cycle with the normal dishwasher detergent.

PS I also put in all my clear plastic ramps (even with stickers on them) and they came out spot on as well, all that was needed was a quick going over with the perspex polish to get rid of the water marks.

Cheers Angelo


There have been some horror stories from people washing plastic ramps and plastics in their dishwashers - mainly from having it on for too long, or too hot - so anyone wanting to give this a go, PLEASE do a test run first!

Some of the plastic ramps and plastics are near impossible to replace, so if you have a machine where these parts are not available, use the dishwasher trick at your own risk.

Also, make sure you strip down all the wiring, lamp sockets and switches from anything you put through the dishwasher.

Thanks for the warning Owen, I was surprised that the stickers stayed on.

I ran it on the shortest cylce, the plastic ramps were quite thin and there was no distortion or change at all.

The plastics with printing on them were washed in hot soapy water and work very good as well.

Cheers Angelo


Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: Pinball Fixers on February 01, 2009, 01:03:26 PM
I know it sounds stupid, but I just removed the wire ramps from my cactus jacks out of the disherwasher!

They were absolutley filthy, and have come out better than new!

You could try that first, mine went it for the 30 min short cycle with the normal dishwasher detergent.

PS I also put in all my clear plastic ramps (even with stickers on them) and they came out spot on as well, all that was needed was a quick going over with the perspex polish to get rid of the water marks.

Cheers Angelo


There have been some horror stories from people washing plastic ramps and plastics in their dishwashers - mainly from having it on for too long, or too hot - so anyone wanting to give this a go, PLEASE do a test run first!

Some of the plastic ramps and plastics are near impossible to replace, so if you have a machine where these parts are not available, use the dishwasher trick at your own risk.

Also, make sure you strip down all the wiring, lamp sockets and switches from anything you put through the dishwasher.

Thanks for the warning Owen, I was surprised that the stickers stayed on.

I ran it on the shortest cylce, the plastic ramps were quite thin and there was no distortion or change at all.

The plastics with printing on them were washed in hot soapy water and work very good as well.

Cheers Angelo


No worries Angelo, I know this trick works, but I know of people who have just put the plastic parts in on a normal cycle, only to find that they are now in the market for new ones...
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: MartyJ on February 01, 2009, 01:42:30 PM
Thanks for the replies guys,

I had tried Brasso, with a rag and clean...no different...I also tried Meguaires chrome polish, which helped a little but those stains still there.

I've given the Oxalic acid a go.  Unfortunately I've only got a big nappy bucket to put it in (with 4-1 mix) I cannot soak the whole ramp, so I'm just doing the ends and 'baisting' the rest of the ramp!

Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: markc on February 01, 2009, 02:06:21 PM


your handle will be back friday looking like new

mark
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: MartyJ on February 01, 2009, 02:08:34 PM


your handle will be back friday looking like new

mark


Thankyou Mark, as always A1 service all the way!

PS..

Hope you weren't too shocked with the visit from the potential customer I sent your way last week!
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: markc on February 01, 2009, 02:09:52 PM


I am never shocked these days
and thanks

mark


Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: MartyJ on February 01, 2009, 02:17:08 PM
He'll love a game of Daytona against you & your crew!

I'll pop down on Sat to grab the handle & skull...

THanks again
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: Creech on February 01, 2009, 02:24:31 PM
PS..

Hope you weren't too shocked with the visit from the potential customer I sent your way last week!

OK - spill the beans...
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: markc on February 01, 2009, 03:19:36 PM


we have 8 hooked up at the moment
I brought mine in from Home .  so its party time...
although  2 pairs are leaving soon   to new homes ....   we will be back to 4 seats again..
Owen used to play too but I think we scared him off ....
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: MartyJ on February 01, 2009, 03:38:35 PM
PS..

Hope you weren't too shocked with the visit from the potential customer I sent your way last week!

OK - spill the beans...

Haha, nothing terrible.  Just people in fluro vests sometimes give people a surprise!....
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: MartyJ on February 01, 2009, 03:39:59 PM
Back to the ramps....

Soaked in Oxalic acid.  Cleaned up a little better, but still pretty much the same.  I think the ramp will need to be rechromed....

I'll wait to see how long the decal issue will be otherwise I will get them both redone to match nicely.
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: Pinball Fixers on February 01, 2009, 08:03:56 PM

we have 8 hooked up at the moment
I brought mine in from Home .  so its party time...
although  2 pairs are leaving soon   to new homes ....   we will be back to 4 seats again..
Owen used to play too but I think we scared him off ....

Scared me off? LOL, you have trouble beating me when I'm playing, that's why I'm letting you get more practise <.>
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: markc on February 01, 2009, 11:31:33 PM
Back to the ramps....

Soaked in Oxalic acid.  Cleaned up a little better, but still pretty much the same.  I think the ramp will need to be rechromed....

I'll wait to see how long the decal issue will be otherwise I will get them both redone to match nicely.


drop it in mate   and I can get it done  for you  with your handle

Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: markc on February 01, 2009, 11:32:06 PM

we have 8 hooked up at the moment
I brought mine in from Home .  so its party time...
although  2 pairs are leaving soon   to new homes ....   we will be back to 4 seats again..
Owen used to play too but I think we scared him off ....

Scared me off? LOL, you have trouble beating me when I'm playing, that's why I'm letting you get more practise <.>

come on down BITCH
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: MartyJ on February 02, 2009, 08:46:02 AM
Back to the ramps....

Soaked in Oxalic acid.  Cleaned up a little better, but still pretty much the same.  I think the ramp will need to be rechromed....

I'll wait to see how long the decal issue will be otherwise I will get them both redone to match nicely.


drop it in mate   and I can get it done  for you  with your handle




Thanks Mark,

I won't be able to get them to you before Friday...I'll hold off on them for time being..
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: markc on February 02, 2009, 09:10:09 AM


thats cool

the t2 head is done too


mark
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: ajlaird on February 02, 2009, 09:49:16 AM
What's the rough cost on a re-chrome?
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: markc on February 02, 2009, 10:04:49 AM
depending on the item  from $10.00 per piece
legs are $15.00 each

but you must clean them first

Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: ktm450 on February 02, 2009, 11:00:15 AM
I usually use autosol to clean metal ramps, it can remove some oxidation but may not be much better than the auto polish you have already tried.
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: Pinball Fixers on February 02, 2009, 11:39:31 AM

we have 8 hooked up at the moment
I brought mine in from Home .  so its party time...
although  2 pairs are leaving soon   to new homes ....   we will be back to 4 seats again..
Owen used to play too but I think we scared him off ....

Scared me off? LOL, you have trouble beating me when I'm playing, that's why I'm letting you get more practise <.>

come on down BITCH


You're on! *)*
Title: Re: Cleaning wire ramps
Post by: ajlaird on February 03, 2009, 02:03:10 AM
depending on the item  from $10.00 per piece
legs are $15.00 each

but you must clean them first



Cool, the gun handle on the Dirty Harry could do with a re-chrome one day.