Flood damage

[Neal]

Here in Ohio, we've had some severe flooding.
A friend got back from vacation to find almost 2 feet of water flooding his musical gear. He's asked me to help clean it up and check it out.
What's your favorite method of cleaning dirt and silt off circuit boards and chassis?
I'd like to get everything clean, then let it dry thoroughly for a few days. Then I'll clean the pots, switches and jacks, and go from there.
Thanks, all!

[Enzo]

Warm flowing water and maybe a little dish soap to clean. gentle action with a tooth brush or just a 1" paint brush to loosen stuff. Once it is clean, then some isopropyl alcohol. Shop air is good to blow as much as possible out from under ICs and other parts that are close to the board. Don;t crank it, but elevated temperatires will help dry it out.

DO not apply power until ALL moisture is gone.

Things like transformers may need their end bells removed and may be hard to dry out.

[Tom Phillips]

The method Enzo described is similar to the procedure used to wash classic Tektronics scopes. It would be good if you could fit the chassis into a convection oven capable of maintaining 120 to 130 Degrees F until it is dry. Then re-lubricate the pots and any switch contacts. The transformers may be the most problematic. If they got wet I would recommend removing them from the chassis, remove the end bells and bake them separately until they are thoroughly dry. If the transformers are baked separately I believe that you can safely use higher temperatures. I have read that modern transformer varnishes are cured at 200 to 250 Deg F for 8 to 12 hours. If that is correct then baking at 200F to drive out the moisture should not be a problem. To test if the transformer is "done" you can seal it in a big zip lock bag and let it sit for a while. If you observe any beads of moisture forming on the inside of the bag then you will know that the transformer needs additional baking to drive out the remaining moisture.

I don't recommend using your kitchen oven. That would be your call. Most people, of course, don't have a suitable shop oven but a creative person can make a warm spot with a metal box, light bulb etc. Air circulation is needed to let the moisture escape.

HTH,
Tom

[Neal]

Thanks for the replies, gents. I'm also dealing with my own flooded basement and repairing my furnace, so I'm a busy fella right at the moment.
Question for Enzo... I have an airbrush. Would this be a good way to apply the isopropyl alcohol once I get the circuit boards clean? The alcohol is just to displace the water, correct? I also have an old blow dryer that my wife tried to throw away, so I took it out to the shop. I'll put that to use also, I'm sure.

[Tom Phillips]

... I have an airbrush. Would this be a good way to apply the isopropyl alcohol once I get the circuit boards clean?

I know you asked Enzo but my 2 cents worth is to be careful with this because the airbrush may make such a fine mist that it will create an explosion/flame up hazard. If you do that, be sure to work in a well ventilated area without any open flames such as pilot lights.
Cheers,
Tom

[Neal]

Very good point, thanks Tom.
I'll be working in my garage where there are no open flames, but it's sure something I don't want to take lightly.