Hi
I have noticed something similar but related to the stick on feet
found on the underside of many computers and periperials. They turn to
the most awful semi-liquid goo. Its difficult to remove from their
original position. Any that gets on hands or clothing is the devils own
job to remove.
Rod
-----Original Message-----
From: cctech-bounces at
classiccmp.org
[mailto:cctech-bounces at
classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Mr Ian Primus
Sent: 04 May 2007 21:51
To: cctalk at
classiccmp.org
Subject: That horrible computer foam
As I have been collecting computers, I have noticed that some pieces of
equipment like printers and the like, contain a lot of this awful foam
stuff, most likely for noise deadening. Time has caused this foam to
break down and turn to gunk, or at least a soft, squshy material that
does not spring back. It also crumbles. IBM foam seems to be the worst,
along with the foam used on Zenith PC's, turning into a tarry goo.
On the CDC drives I just picked up, the entire inside of them is covered
in this foam, some of it is starting to come off, or has stuck to cables
and such inside. A couple smaller chunks of it literally fell off one
part of the cover, the glue only holding the particular particles of the
foam to which it was attached, and the rest of the foam falling away.
What is the best thing to do about this, especially in something as
sensitive as a disk drive? Should I remove it? What's the best method?
Is there something I can use to replace it?
Also, for instance, inside the cover of the PDP-11/84, there is a thin
slab of foam that has turned to crud.
I plan on removing this entirely - vacuuming away what I can and
cleaning the rest off with something - what will dissolve this? I know
that trying to get the gunk from IBM foam off your hands is nearly
impossible.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
-Ian