The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I need to remove some oil from metal parts, new oil, not caked on. Even after repeated wiping there is still a film. I was thinking of buying something like carb cleaner and spraying it.. Is this the best way?

I used a generic citrus-based degreaser in a spray bottle. Orange GOOP hand cleaner - in the squeeze bottle, not the tub/pumice version - also works well and gives you a little more control.

Carb cleaner should work. You can also try Ronsonol (naptha, Coleman fuel). I use this to clean and free up the mechanism in camera shutters.

Just be careful around painted surfaces and finished wood, especially if using carb cleaner or brake cleaner.

Some of the spray-can stuff tends to splatter.

I have a slipping fiber gear that needs to be re-epoxyed. I plan on removing the set up. The last time I tryed this I didn't clean it well enough and the epoxy didn't adhere well. I only did a good wipe down, but there was still a film. I don't want to make that mistake again

Since this a fiber gear, I use rubbing alcohol. I use a Q-Tip to clean the area. Then I dry with a paper towel. I let it air dry for a few hours checking the dryness. From my experience, the alcohol will not so any harm to the gear.
Harvey Kravitz