Cleaning a old tonearm

NO lost cause at all. I would try using lighter fluid and cleaning Q type tips for electronics sold at Radio shack. Start lower and gently work your way up. Lighter fluid evaporates fast so I would think that it would do a nice job cleaning up the grease and dirt. And after a light coat of WD40 then wipe off and that should keep it looking new.

Pledge Multi Surfaces is a new product designed to clean metal, wood, glass and electronics. It claims to be streak-free, anti-static, and leave no residue. I used it to clean a TT that I am restoring, including the aluminum tonearm, and it worked so well I went on and used it to clean all my equipment. It is clear, has little order, dries quickly, and the dirt is quite visible on the mirofiber cloth. I got it at Wal-Mart for $3.97 for a 9.7 oz aerosol can. Feels like a commercial, but this is very different and more effective than other cleaners I have used.

Agree that cleaning will not be a problem. Any good degreaser/cleaner will work. Just ensure you rinse and dry effectively.

I always used Q tips and alcohol but I'll try the pledge, it sounds good.

If you use lighter fluid or other hydrocarbon solvent, use outdoors or w substantial ventilation AND make sure you dispose of surplus properly; i.e., not on ground out back or down the drain.

WD-40 leaves a gummy residue. I would not characterize it as a cleaning product and I would never use it on any piece of audio equipment.

Q-tips and alchohol work for me. My used TriPlanar was not only dusty when I received it, it was coated from end to end in silicone damping fluid. Yuck! (The seller failed to empty the damping trough before boxing it up - lazy or stupid, your choice!)

It took me 4-5 hours to clean it (the TP has a lot of parts, many more than a Grace) but I look on that as time well spent. I got to know the tonearm intimately before I even mounted it. That knowledge has repaid the effort it took to gain it many times over.

Dougdeacon: I recommend using the WD-40 only after the use of lighter fluid, as it is a great degrease and cleaner.My only concern is after cleaning the tonearm you could strip it of it's natural oil's. And in the near future start to pit and show some sign's of rust.I would wipe most of the WD-40 off and only leave a very light coat. But the pledge sounds great
since it is a multi purpose cleaner and that should do the trick.

Schipo, just what are these "natural oils" on tonearm parts? A possible lubrication on pivot points I can understand but I am not aware of any natural oil occurring on metal parts themselves.

For anyone concerned with providing a "protective" coating, I would suggest a dedicated automotive or metal polish or wax. Any liquid that does not evaporate away completely, like WD-40, will leave a residue that may attract dust and dirt.

Thank all of you for your help. I used q-tips diped in carb and choke cleaner made by thr Gumout corp. Also I found that pipe cleaners worked very good in tight areas. Looks like brand new almost. Bearings feel smooth with no play. Again thank you all. The other film on it besides the dust I think was nicotine as the guy I got it from is a heavy smoker. It came right off too.

Pryso:are you saying that after cleaning a metal tonearm using an astringent that it might not cause pitting or even "possible show signs of rust? Any lubricant no matter the viscocity will attract dust.

The tone arms I am familiar with are painted, anodized, chrome, or stainless, or some combination of these finishes. I have seen older arms with some form of crud or tarnish but I have never seen one with possible signs of rust. Perhaps I just don't get around enough.

To me, lubricants are for protection of bearing surfaces. For the application of protecting tonearm finishes, other solutions will serve better. YMMV.

I just used a pipecleaner to clean my vpi arm. slow, gentle wipes and the dirt came off incrediible easy. Just a gentle 'blow'....

WD 40----------------------