Cleaning a Cabinet

[arcadeboy0000]

I just bought an old cabinet (Battletoads) to convert into a MAME cab. It is pretty dusty and I want to clean it up. I dont want to use water or anything that will warp the wood. Does anyone have an suggestions as to how to clean the cab and get the best results? Also, I have to take the paint off the sides of it and repaint it. Can someone give me some tips on that process. Like what kind of paint would be best and whether or not to use primer and whatnot. Any tips about refurnishing the cabinet are appreciated! Thanks!

[AlanS17]

Well you can start with a can of compressed air (and a mask). That'll blow out any of the loose junk. That makes less to pick up.

Then you can go over it with a damp towel. Get the cloth wet and and wipe using that. Don't get the cabinet, itself, wet. It'll probably go slow as there will be layers of dirt and grime. I've done that with success. However, I won't accept responsibility if you screw it up. 

[greven grevs]

i have had good success using a vacum with the brush attatchment to clean out the inside. the brush helps kick up the stuck on dust. as for the outside i use windex and paper towels. apply the windex to the paper towel , not the cab and wipe away

[AlanS17]

OH YEAH!

I have a Mini Shark with a brush attatchment that I've used to get alot of the big stuff. Unfortunately, it has a very small filter so you have to empty it out constantly.

If you have some other vaccuum with a brush attachment you can certainly give that a shot. You might not get ALL the grime, but you certainly get most of it.

I'd recommend a face mask for this, too. You don't want black lungs.

[pointdablame]

you're not going to damage the cab using a damp towel or some cleaning products.  As long as you don't hose the cabinet down and let it sit in the water, you'll be fine.

I usually vacuum out the cab first, then use a swiffer or similar to grab whatever else I can, then follow up with a damp rag.

[arcadeboy0000]

Thanks for the suggestions. Any on how to take the layer of paint off from the side? Its like a texture paint. I would like to get to the wood and repaint becuase I am going to have side art made from classicarcadegraphics.com that will take up the whole top side and I want it to stick well.

[greven grevs]

you can go to your local hardware store and find various forms of paint stripper. I honestly dont know which is the best but maybe someone else does or just ask the employees.

[Hoagie_one]

power sander

[nostrebor]

I just want to add a note here... using a vacuum cleaner is a great way to clean out the inside of an empty cabinet, but don't vacuum one with original PCBs and other circuitry inside. The Vacuum cleaner is a fantastic static electricity generator, and your PCBs could suffer some nasty shocks!

[Shep]

...also, if you have plexiglass installed, don't use any solvent-based glass cleaners on it.

[arcadeboy0000]

Great Thanks. What's best for plexi? Are any of the specialized cleaners from Happ Controls worthwhile?

[AlanS17]

Great Thanks. What's best for plexi? Are any of the specialized cleaners from Happ Controls worthwhile?

Try out that wonder of nature that desolves all sorts of stuff... water. 

[pointdablame]

Great Thanks. What's best for plexi? Are any of the specialized cleaners from Happ Controls worthwhile?

Try out that wonder of nature that desolves all sorts of stuff... water. 

yup.  Water and a lint free rag will work fin on plexi.  Make sure it's a soft fabric so that it won't have any chances to scratch the plexi.

[Thenasty]

Try out that wonder of nature that desolves all sorts of stuff... water.