I recently bought a Soundcraft Ghost 32 LE which was sound good, but was very dirty. Having found that the local Soundcraft dealership charge £40 + VAT per hour, I thought I'd do the cosmetic stuff first before seeing if any more technical servicing needed to be done.

I'm gradually working my way through the fader and pot caps by soaking them in a bucket with hot water and a little washing-up liquid for about 30 mins and then scrubbing them with a toothbrush. This brings them up like new, but has taken about 4 or 5 hours to do about 20% of the board. Does anyone know any better methods or is this just par for the course? I've heard of people putting them in the washing machine, but some people say this damages the rubberised coating.

As for the surface, I started by using a small paint brush and a vacuum for the obvious dust and then moved on to isoprop and elbowgrease. A lot of muck is coming off, but I'm not convinced that it isn't removing more than just the muck. What would you use? I've seen various grime banishing products but some people think these strip the paint, and I'm cautious enough about just isoprop.

Any advice welcome.

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Daniel Davis
Edinburgh Recording Studio Windmill Sound

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Daniel Davis
Edinburgh Recording Studio Windmill Sound

An ultrasonic bath is the quickest and easiest way of cleaning the plastic knobs. Jewelers often have them for cleaning jewelry and watch straps and the like. Otherwise, the soapy water, toothbrush and many hours listening to the hi-fi or telly is the only way. You could try putting them in an old pillow case (to keep them together and not lose them down the waste pipe!) or something in the washing machine, but I doubt there'd be enough agitation to get the dirt out of any flutes and grooves on the knobs.

As for the console itself, I'd use some diluted soapy water, a damp (only) cloth and a gentle cleaning action. Isoprop is likely to start removing the paint and legends etc. You also don't want the alcohol or soapy water getting down into the pots and switches. Ideally, strip the console right down do you have bare metalwork -- it's safer and much easier to clean that way.

Hugh

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound

Yes Isoprop can remove the screen printing from desk surfaces, so you can lose some of the labelling. And presumably you're already smart enough not to use abrasive cloths.

Way back when I was at the Beeb we used to use gallons of RS foam cleaner doing studio deep cleans. It works very well and doesn't seem to affect the stencilling. But for home use I'd probably just go for a mild solution of soap or kitchen surface cleaner to start with. As when you're cleaning your carpets, try a little bit on an area that's out of the way first.

[Edit] Also cotton buds can be good for getting into the grooves on a grubby knob. Erm. I don't think that quite came out right.

Hope that helps,

Matt.

Edited by Mayhew (25/04/12 09:28 AM)

I've used an ultrasonic clearer on caps which did no damage but left a few little areas that still needed wiping clean. A real bristle shaving brush is great for dust, I use one for guitar bridges and other inacessible stuff. You can buy zipped fine mesh netting bags designed for keeping socks etc together in the washing machine from wilkinsons which might suit your needs.

DM

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Not much in life worth running for. Or from.

Be gentle, if you're scrubbing by hand - even mild detergent and warm water can take paint off if you're at all rough with it - though I suppose that depends what kind of paint was used in the first place.

Thanks for all of the replies.

Well I tried a few more caps in a hosiery bag in the washing machine. Verdict: not quite as good as using a toothbrush, but passable and did not seem to degrade the rubber. I'm very tempted to do the rest in that way.

Now does anyone know anyone good in Scotland (preferably reachable from Edinburgh) who services desks? There is a soundcraft dealership in Edinburgh, but they hadn't heard of a Ghost, so I am somewhat suspicious of using them.

I have found some good people in the midlands, but it would cost me as much to get the desk there and back as the service.

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Daniel Davis
Edinburgh Recording Studio Windmill Sound