Topic: Cleaning - '70 Windshield Washer Reservoir

[69supercj]

I've got a really nice, for used, plastic reservoir that has the date code still intact. I've never seen a date coded reservoir before but its a little bit dirty and slightly yellowed but really not much. Whats a good way to clean this WITHOUT removing the ink stamp? I did a search I didn't find much other then some differing opinions on bleach, peroxide, ect. Thanks for any and all help? P.S. I'm wondering if the solution that people use to restore build sheets would work and if so, what is that solution?

[mtinkham]

I used a good name-brand dish washer liquid to clean mine. It didn't eliminate all of the yellowing, but it cleaned it significantly. A word of caution - mine did not have the ink stamp...

[J_Speegle]

Have not heard of any new ground shaking discoveries as to cleaning the bottles or reducing the discoloration from age and heat. Understand that you would like to keep the date but that and the other marking can be reproduced by restamping them if it gets in the way of making the reservoir look better.

As far as cleaning the buildsheet I'm unsure from your post if you read the thread and article (in the Library) on cleaning buildsheets. Still find wax and grease remover the best choice even though the "safe" solutions are not as strong as the older stuff was that might not be a bad thing in this case . Just takes a little longer  - remember to agitate it through the process

[Countrysquire]

I have had some success with the peroxide hair bleach to remove the yellowing, but would be shocked if it remove the ink stamp as well.  Might be worth trying Meguiar's PlastX to see if that will remove the oxidized layer, that would allow you to work around the stamp.

[69supercj]

Have not heard of any new ground shaking discoveries as to cleaning the bottles or reducing the discoloration from age and heat. Understand that you would like to keep the date but that and the other marking can be reproduced by restamping them if it gets in the way of making the reservoir look better.

As far as cleaning the buildsheet I'm unsure from your post if you read the thread and article (in the Library) on cleaning buildsheets. Still find wax and grease remover the best choice even though the "safe" solutions are not as strong as the older stuff was that might not be a bad thing in this case . Just takes a little longer  - remember to agitate it through the process

The ink stamp looks fairly generic and shouldn't be that hard to re-stamp. Is there a stamp out there that people are using or should I just go to Wally world or say Office Depot and look there?

[Bob Gaines]

The ink stamp looks fairly generic and shouldn't be that hard to re-stamp. Is there a stamp out there that people are using or should I just go to Wally world or say Office Depot and look there?

Exact match up letters and numbers with what you have access to. It wasn't to hard for me but that was 15+ years ago so I can only assume that with a little effort it still can be done . Worst case a stamp company can make it up custom.

[J_Speegle]

The ink stamp looks fairly generic and shouldn't be that hard to re-stamp. Is there a stamp out there that people are using or should I just go to Wally world or say Office Depot and look there?

You can get a stamp custom made (doesn't cost that much if you have a contact though quick shipping adds to the bottom line) if you want to return the exact same number to the part once its cleaned.  Allot of cleaning processes work from the inside of the jug since that is where allot of the residue related to discoloration often is.  Yes you can get a local stamp company to make something up but may be more expensive and the fonts will likely me more modern. Most places don't deal with photo ready art for stamps and always want to make it "better".

Normally there is an additional number (may be assembler or for other identification purpose) on the main body also.

[cobrajet_carl]

Have not heard of any new ground shaking discoveries as to cleaning the bottles or reducing the discoloration from age and heat. Understand that you would like to keep the date but that and the other marking can be reproduced by restamping them if it gets in the way of making the reservoir look better.

As far as cleaning the buildsheet I'm unsure from your post if you read the thread and article (in the Library) on cleaning buildsheets. Still find wax and grease remover the best choice even though the "safe" solutions are not as strong as the older stuff was that might not be a bad thing in this case . Just takes a little longer  - remember to agitate it through the process

The solvent-based wax and grease removers were banned from Phoenix a while back and I used the replacement, which I didn't realize was water-based until it disintegrated my build sheet. 

[J_Speegle]

The solvent-based wax and grease removers were banned from Phoenix a while back and I used the replacement, which I didn't realize was water-based until it disintegrated my build sheet. 

Ouch

For others reading this it can be a good idea to cut a corner (lower one without any info printed on it) to test the solution you've chosen to use before you do your complete sheet. Just as you would do on painted parts if applying something new or different you wanted to try out.