cleaning & painting sides of transformer

[jboehle]

I got my Crack kit today and the transformer has some goop on the sides that is not so visually attractive.  What can I use to safely clean it off?

Also, is it safe to paint the sides of the transformer?  I would like them to be a glossy black to go with how I am coloring the rest of the amp.

[galyons]

Yes, you can gently sand down the "goop".  Then you can paint the stacks, but mask off the  bell top and terminals bottom.  I use use Rustoleum  Appliance epoxy paint. Works well.

Cheers,
Geary

[Paul Birkeland]

The goop is what holds the transformer together, so don't take too much off! 

[jboehle]

The goop is what holds the transformer together, so don't take too much off!

That's why I asked, I didn't want to use some solvent to clean it that would dissolve something important!  Sounds like sanding just the extra goop off the outside should be okay then?  I will tape some plastic over the top & bottom before doing it just so none of it gets inside the transformer.

[galyons]

No solvent.  Just a light sanding to smooth out the varnish.  I just finished a  Crack. The varnish had major runs & globs.  I used a sanding block to get it mostly even without cutting through to the stacks.

Cheers,
Geary

[mcandmar]

I did mine with a sheet of sandpaper on a pane of glass, the nice flat surface makes it easier to knock off the globs of glue without digging into the laminations. Looks flawless now.

[Guy 13]

No solvent.  Just a light sanding to smooth out the varnish.  I just finished a  Crack. The varnish had major runs & globs.  I used a sanding block to get it mostly even without cutting through to the stacks.

Cheers,
Geary

Hi Geary.
Are you referring to/talking about MY Crack ?

Guy 13

[jboehle]

Thanks all, I lightly sanded until smooth to touch, wiped it down with a barely damp rag, then let it dry.  Just finished painting it and now it's drying.  I can still barely see some of the remnants of the goop but hopefully after it dries they will not be noticeable.

[galyons]

No solvent.  Just a light sanding to smooth out the varnish.  I just finished a  Crack. The varnish had major runs & globs.  I used a sanding block to get it mostly even without cutting through to the stacks.

Cheers,
Geary

Hi Geary.
Are you referring to/talking about MY Crack ?

Guy 13

That would be the one!

Cheers,
Geary

[Guy 13]

No solvent.  Just a light sanding to smooth out the varnish.  I just finished a  Crack. The varnish had major runs & globs.  I used a sanding block to get it mostly even without cutting through to the stacks.

Cheers,
Geary

Hi Geary.
Are you referring to/talking about MY Crack ?

Guy 13

That would be the one!

Cheers,
Geary

Hi Geary.
I should be getting my Crack on April the 11th around 11.30pm,
that the time of arrival of my wife's aunt.
She will also bring with her a 6AS7G RCA with a 12AU7 RCA clear top tunes.
So I will be able to do some tube rolling.
By the time I get back home with the auntie it will probably be around 1.30am,
but I am sure that won't stop me from plug everything and do some listening.
Who knows, I might spen the whole night listening to music.

Guy 13
Sorry for barging in this threat that is not mine.