Any thoughts on using an ozone generator to help deodorize cigarette smells from old radio equipment? Especially from the interior of cabinet? Online research is not clear on how much ozone exposure is too much for plastic/rubber components. I am guessing that cigarette odor would be neutralized long before any damage to components?
Hi,
an ozone generator can certainly help you get rid of smells, however a lot of times it is enough to clean the device thoroughly to get rid of the nicotine residues and then leave it for a couple days somewhere where fresh air moves (but where it does not for example rain 😄) to let it ‘ventilate’. I would not necessarily reach for an ozone generator straight away because, as you mentioned, ozone will attack plastic.
I do not think there is a concentration of ozone which would be ‘plastic safe’. Simply as soon as ozone reaches polymer molecules it will attack them. It may attack it more or less depending on the concentration, but it will to some degree attack in any case.
@Mjb1965, I subscribe to what “HonzaM” has said that no amount of ozone would do the trick and that would surely do more damage than good!. You can never ever beat a good old “Scrub” clean. with proper care . On the other hand, some old and badly affected/damaged radios will need and entire overhaul such as sand blasting the chassis + re-paint with galvanizing spray paint, the wooden enclosure would need sanding off and new finishing applied to it etc. and in this case is also a good way to get rid of the “unwanted odors”. Good luck.
Thank you for the replies. I currently clean everything by scrubbing and light brushing with mild detergents. I came across a very dusty nicotine stained Kenwood TS-520S. Was looking for a possibly easier task to clean it.