Cable degreasing

[moley6knipe]

My cables need a clean. All of the stuff I can find on the web is for cable jointing and/or is like £15 postage. Anyone got any recommends for something from like screwfix, B&Q? I’ve got some “sticky stuff remover” that I’ll try on an old cable, but that’s not a good long term test ie will it make the pvc go brittle over time?

 

Thanks!

Edited July 16, 2023 by moley6knipe

[JapanAxe]

I just pull the cable through a bleach-free surface wipe, then dry it off with a clean bit of rag.

[moley6knipe]

Yeah… I’ll give that a go, thanks! I think avoiding bleach for sure. Some of the gunk is like 10 year old historic nastiness. Plus would rather use one rag than many disposable wipes. But worth a shot, ta!

[PaulThePlug]

One Rag White Vinegar Solution or hot soapy water, i'd go hand soap not washing up liquid... one rag of plain water to rinse...

Anything else might go sticky on some plastic or rubber type covering.

[Chienmortbb]

I have been using Clean Spirit recently on all sorts of things. https://www.diy.com/departments/diall-clean-spirit-0-75l/1059029_BQ.prd

It is not as good as a solvent based white spirit, but for this type of job it's ideal and much kinder to us and the planet.

[moley6knipe]

Ah thanks! I need to visit b&q anyway, I’ll pick up a bottle!

[Matt P]

for just getting general grubbiness off i use fragrance free baby wipes, if there's some stickyness i usually just reach for the Isopropyl Alcohol.

 

Matt

[ahpook]

19 minutes ago, Matt P said:

...i usually just reach for the Isopropyl Alcohol.

 

Matt

 

My solvent of choice also.

 

 

[John Cribbin]

For years, I've protected new cables and cabs with Armor All Protactant, you can get it from most car accessory stores.

 

For old stuff. I wipe down with warm soapy water and use naptha for any sticky crud. Then I apply the Armor All. About once a year, I'll spray some on a kitchen roll and pull the cables through a few times, removes the old dirt and reapplies the protection.

 

 

 

[BigRedX]

I've done few festivals where due to the lovely English weather most of my cables ended up with a coating of grime and mud. They simply went into the washing up - hot water and an eco-friendly washing up liquid. Then hung outside on the washing line to dry with the plugs (jack and XLR) undone to make sure there was no moisture left inside them. Some my cables have been through this process several times and all are still working perfectly.

[velvetkevorkian]

1 hour ago, Matt P said:

for just getting general grubbiness off i use fragrance free baby wipes, if there's some stickyness i usually just reach for the Isopropyl Alcohol.

 

Matt

What do you do once you've sobered up though