Do you clean a brand new Mechanical Mod before you use it?

[sandybeach]

I've heard people clean them, then Noalox them before using. Is this necessary? I also heard that No-Ox-Id Special A is better than Noalox. Any thoughts on this?

 

[buffaloguy]

Short answer. Yes, always. Every mech ive bought has machile oils of some kind and/or residues left behind by the machining process. Plus, brass oxidizes, quickly. Noalox or other lubricants help to protect againat that.

Clean em. Besides they will look far better after, as well as perform their best. Brasso is your friend... and yes it cleans stainless steel just as well.

 

[sandybeach]

Thanks Buffalo. So what do you use to clean them? Alcohol? Soap and water? And then Brasso following it?

 

[State O' Flux]

Thanks Buffalo. So what do you use to clean them? Alcohol? Soap and water? And then Brasso following it?

Cheap vodka, IPA, denatured alcohol... soap and warm/hot water is my preference. No acetone or MEK as it can eat insulation and rubber.
Clean and dry - burnish some Noalox or No-Ox-Id A into the threads and wipe off excess with the previously listed alcohols. Good to go.

If you want to get really fancy... there is a silver base conductive grease you can use on contacts. A tiny bit is all you need. You can use it on the tube threads if you wish, but it's overkill, and kinda expensive for that.

 

[sandybeach]

So alcohol followed by soap and water, then dry and use Noalox, etc. I have one mechanical I have been using a few months and I've never done anything to it. When I get my new ones, I will do this. Thank you!

 

[State O' Flux]

So alcohol followed by soap and water, then dry and use Noalox, etc. I have one mechanical I have been using a few months and I've never done anything to it. When I get my new ones, I will do this. Thank you!

Mmmm... not exactly.

Either or... no need for both alcohol and soap and water. Dish soap will easily remove any machining oil left behind. It's really personal preference, and whatever you have handy. ;-)

 

[sandybeach]

Excellent. I already have Noalox and dish soap. Now just have to wait for USPS.

 

[abstractcousin]

i always clean my poldi with alchohol on the connections, polish on the mod itself and then olive oil after the polish. seems to do the job

 

[Thrasher]

with a new mod especially i wipe down with alcohol especially getting into the threads with an old tshrit to remove any oils and machining debris.
personally i found this in an automotive store and used this.
Amazon.com: CRC 05109 Technician Grade Di-Electric Grease with Precision Tip Applicator - 0.5 oz.: Automotive

while it works and i know everybody uses it I dont care for Noalox as it is officially an aluminum treatment - NO ALuminum OXidation


(my technical nature saying use the correct tool for the job lol)

 

[sandybeach]

That was really helpful. It looks like since that grease is for electrical connections, that's more appropriate than something meant for aluminum. It looks like No-Ox-Id A-Special is the same type.

with a new mod especially i wipe down with alcohol especially getting into the threads with an old tshrit to remove any oils and machining debris.
personally i found this in an automotive store and used this.
Amazon.com: CRC 05109 Technician Grade Di-Electric Grease with Precision Tip Applicator - 0.5 oz.: Automotive

while it works and i know everybody uses it I dont care for Noalox as it is officially an aluminum treatment - NO ALuminum OXidation


(my technical nature saying use the correct tool for the job lol)