Enclosure Etching: Methods for removing oils/fingerprints?

[Stomptown]

Hey guys, so I've been etching quite a while and I can't seem to find a good solution to removing fingerprints from my enclosures. I have tried using lighter fluid with mixed results. Obviously, you cannot keep oils off completely, but if I want to sell something I would like it to be oil free. Any advice would be great!

Thanks,
Jon

[davent]

Acetone would seem to be a goto poison... or have you tried a grease cutting dish detergent?

dave

[pryde]

Never tried standard lighter fluid but Naptha (super-purified lighter fluid) gets mine blemish-free

[croquet hoop]

+1 for naphta or acetone.

[Stomptown]

Never tried standard lighter fluid but Naptha (super-purified lighter fluid) gets mine blemish-free

+1 for naphta or acetone.

I will have to get some Naptha then! I often paint the etched portion so acetone is not always an option. I actually just tried acetone on a non-painted enclosure and it seems to work fairly well. Unfortunately, I forgot to remove the packplate, which was powdercoated and some of the acetone dripped down and ruined it!  Oh well! It was only painted because I was too lazy to sand off the paint from a repurposed enclusure! I sanded it down and it looks better anyway!

[rullywowr]

Naphtha is the best. It is a great solvent, doesn't eat plastic, and removes oil. You can use it on guitars as well without worrying about destroying anything.

[stevie1556]

Acetone gets my vote as well. It's ridiculous how much it eats through everything though, I spilt a little bit on my laptop charger once and the plastic went really soft!

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[rullywowr]

Acetone gets my vote as well. It's ridiculous how much it eats through everything though, I spilt a little bit on my laptop charger once and the plastic went really soft!

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Acetone is great too on metal, just watch out for plastic!

[billstein]

I was just dealing with this problem. I etched an enclosure and kept getting fingerprints on it. After using Acetone I put a coat of car wax on it and so far that has seemed to keep the fingerprints off. Plus it gave it a nice sheen. I don't know if this is a long term solution but so far so good.

[stecykmi]

90% or 99% rubbing alcohol works quite well

[stevie1556]

Acetone is great too on metal, just watch out for plastic!

Yep, learnt then lesson the hard way! I was already lookimg for new laptop chargers that night!

I was just dealing with this problem. I etched an enclosure and kept getting fingerprints on it. After using Acetone I put a coat of car wax on it and so far that has seemed to keep the fingerprints off. Plus it gave it a nice sheen. I don't know if this is a long term solution but so far so good.

I use Dodo juice wax when I detail my car, and 2 layers of it will usually last about 6 months, so it should last for a fairly long time I would assume.

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[davent]

Once cleaned i've used Conservator's Wax on the top surface of bare aluminum amp chassis' and seems to be working well at protecting them.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=20090&cat=1,190,42950

[Stomptown]

Thanks Davent! I think I will have to get some of this and try it out. So far nothing else is good enough to calm my OCD!