General Cleaning Tips

[mznb1u]

I picked up my first machine today--the Cavalier USS-8-64 that I have been asking questions about.  The machine has had very little use but it is dirty and dusty from sitting around the back room of a barber shop for 30 plus years.  I was going to use the shop vac to clean up the dust in the compressor area; but, I was wondering about the rest of the machine.

I want to wipe the entire machine down--inside and out--and I was wondering what cleaners would be safe to use.  I was thinking Windex would do the trick for most of the areas but advice from the group would be much appreciated.

I will post some pice once she is cleaned up and vending cold drinks!

Thanks!

Tim

[Creighton]

Hello Tim,
Welcome to the board!! I'd start with just hot water and a soft cloth. Generally gets most of the dirt build up off. I have a USS-64 as do several others on the forum so any questions just ask.
Creighton

[bubba]

It depends on how bad it is. If its a lot of sticky grime and stuff, I put the machine outside,remove the shelves, coin mech, sign,  and shoot it with Spray Nine inside and out. I then hit it with the pressure washer. That usually removes any grime, sticky sodas, or shop funk. I blow the motors and electric out with compressed air. Then I use some buffing compound and a buffing wheel. Then follow up with a hand coat of a good wax.

[Pat Pixley]

Hello Tim and welcome to the site, We all have had machine like this dirty sticky
 and alot grim in them.
Best thing to start off doing  is get it open up and look for any broken glass in side
you dont want that in your drive way or yard (you dont want some stepping on any shared
of glass or pet's)  then you can start to wash it down like Creighton said Hot soapy water and give it a good wash insde and out ( dish soap work great Dawn) Then you can go from there . then give it good wax job and see how it turns out.

  For some of the sticky stuff Bubba right, you may have to power wash it ,we all have done
that a time or too.

  Well congrat's on your Cavalier Uss 64 It's a great machine to get started on in this hobby
and again welcome to the site

[loman4ec]

I also like using simple green on the grimy stuff as well. I had a Pepsi V63 that looked terrible and after Kate and I used about a whole bottle of Simple Green on it it looked like new. We nicknamed the machine the Green Monster. Those were good times.

[mznb1u]

Thanks for all the tips.  It is mostly accumulated dust and dirt so I think I will start with the dish soap and hot water.

[aspbear]

These machines are tough and maybe if it is not to bad just some water and a rag will work.  What I do is wrap the wiring box with a bread wrapper, take the shelves out spray with simple green and fire up the pressure washer. Takes about 5 minutes and you have one clean machine....Yahooo

[mznb1u]

I have got the exterior of my new machine pretty clean but there are a few tape marks that I need to deal with--little more elbow grease.  And I have the bottom of the machine around the compressor pretty clean except for one more wipe down.

The problem is in the inside of the machine.  The shelves and walls appear very clean but there is an odor of mildew that is not overwhelming but it is annoying.  What can I do to clear the air and what precautions do I need to take when cleaining this area?  I thought about putting a box of baking soda in there but that might just mask the problem.

Thanks again for all of the advice.  I hope to have time to get some pictures uploaded this weekend.  The machine works great and it cools right down to about 30--need to adjust that up.

Tim

[Creighton]

Hello Tim,
Goo Gone should take care of the tape residue. Diluted CLR and a nylon scrub brush will clean the shelves/liner of any mildew. Rinse well. Once clean and dry a box of baking soda is a good idea to keep the smell fresh until next time to clean.
Looking forward to the pictures.
Creighton
 

[Pat Pixley]

Hey Tim Glad thing are going well on the machine .
On the odor thing it could be from setting for a time and
not being used or from the insulationmay have got damp at
one time , It does happen from setting for a time.
some times that will go away after it been run for a will.

Pat

[bubba]

Congrats! The first machine under your belt!... Get ready for number 2.. 

[mznb1u]

I am trying the baking soda first to see if that handles the odor inside the machine.  If this does not work, can I simply spray the inside of the machine and shelves with a cleaner or disinfectant and then hose it out?

If so, what is a safe product that will do the job but not damage anything?  I looked for Simple Green at my local grocery store and could not find any.

Also, do I need to safeguard any of the wiring before I do this?

THANKS again for all the help.  I will get some pictures up this weekend.

I even found a source in Michigan for 10 oz bottles of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Dr. Pepper!  I wish I could get some Frostie Root Beer to complete the selections.  Of course, I have to leave a few shelves for my favorite malt beverages!

Can't wait to get her loaded with product and show it off to all the neighbors at the next party!

[loman4ec]

Home depot and Lowes have simple green. Also pep boys and most other automotive stores will have simple green.

[Kilroy]

KMaret Walmart  and most Ace Hardware stores  also carry  simple green,  lok in the housewares/laundry/cleaniong supples aisles.

Maize & Blue,  shoulda guessed It's good to have another  Meech e Gan person  on the boards. Welcome! Be sure to check out the  events  section on the home page, Pinball at  the Zoo is coming upi n a few weeks.

[TechnoHat]

I even found a source in Michigan for 10 oz bottles of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Dr. Pepper!  I wish I could get some Frostie Root Beer to complete the selections.  Of course, I have to leave a few shelves for my favorite malt beverages!

Can't wait to get her loaded with product and show it off to all the neighbors at the next party!

Where in Michigan did you find those?

[mznb1u]

Thanks for the info on where to get Simple Green.

So is it safe to spray down the interior of the machine and hose it out with this product and is this likely to clear the slight mildew odor?  Or should I use something else?

Do I need to cover any of the wiring?

On the pop supplier:

I contacted the Coca Cola Bottlers Association in Atlanta and they put me in touch with the last independent bottler in MI.  They have offices in Escanaba and Iron Mountain--a bit far to drive but I get up there on business about 3 to 4 times a year and my Dodge Magnum has plenty of room in the back!

Bink's Beverages is the name of the company.  They have 10 oz glass bottles for Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Dr. Pepper.

http://www.binksbeverages.com/home.html

You can also get the 8 oz. Coke, Diet Coke and sometimes Sprite at most Meijer stores.  A friend of mine knows a Coke salesman and he said that the Meijer stores regularly stock those items but not in large quantities.

[Kilroy]

Sam's club carries   the 8 oz Coke  bottles, i refise to pay #3.99  a six pack  for coke, or Dr Pepper. at the local Kroger's
and i  really need to see if my nephew is still working at  the Coke Distributor in Detroit,  I may have an in i am not using