(Topic ID: 167707)

Cabinet cleaning - Mean Green

By Chippewa-Pin

7 years ago


Topic Heartbeat

Topic Stats

  • 17 posts
  • 16 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 5 years ago by luckymoey
  • Topic is favorited by 4 Pinsiders

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#1 7 years ago

I have an EM cabinet (Jacks Open) that needs a good cleaning. I've reads lots of posts about using Mean Green and have seen where you have to be careful as it could remove some of the paint.

Should I dilute it or use it at full strength? Best to use a sponge and scrub and then rinse off with a clean sponge and let it dry?

#2 7 years ago

It's tough to say without seeing the cabinet. It depends on how dirty it is, what the dirt is, condition of the wood, thickness and condition of the paint, etc. As a general rule you want to use as little soap and water as possible. I would def dilute the mean green, it's harsh stuff. The cleaner can remove some paints(test in a small area first). All that aside, I usually use isopropyl alcohol and a soft sponge first. Then I'll go back over the leftover stains with a magic eraser and isopropyl. Again, test in a inconspicuous first. Water can make the wood swell and plank. It also takes to long to dry. Alcohol does not hurt the wood.

#3 7 years ago

I wouldn't use mean green *at all*.

Simple green is more gentle on the paint.

I always spray on a paper towel, then wipe, rather than spray directly on the cabinet.

#4 7 years ago

I have used Simple Green w/good results. Be careful whatever you use. Test on area that's not too visible.

#5 7 years ago

I agree that Mean Green can be too, well, mean.

I use Krud Kutter, and love the results - but, yes, still always test on less visible part.

#6 7 years ago

I use Mean Green all the time. No problems for me.

#7 7 years ago

It's mostly the slight 'yellowed look' that needs cleaned up more than dirt/grime/etc. I'll go with the isopropyl alcohol and sponge first to see where that gets me and go up in strength from there. Thanks for the input guys!

#8 7 years ago

I have used ammonia and water mixture 50/50 and took off nicotine and the yellowing on cabinets without hurting the artwork.

#9 7 years ago

i spray it full on, heavy. the crud just falls off. when you rub it off, a tiny bit of the top later of paint will come off, just enough to make it look nice. never had a problem, and thats lots of different machines. just dont breathe the shit, you'll taste it for days.

#10 7 years ago

I have seen Mean Green remove paint--could have been touch-ups, I don't know, but in any case it's stronger than I prefer to use. I use either Simple Green or Crazy Clean by Sprayway (I know at least one of the high-end restorers uses the latter since that's who recommended it to me). On really dirty cabinets you can watch the dirt melt away with Crazy Clean. It's pretty amazing and I've never seen it remove paint.

1 year later
#11 5 years ago

Thought this would share my results using Super Clean. Couple videos of the nicotine stains running down sides literally immediately after spraying. No damage or softening of paint. Sprayed. Waited 15 seconds and wiped off. Then wiped dry

Pic first, then videos

Everything left of the yellow arrow is cleaned one pass. Right is untouched

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Back end

2 months later
#12 5 years ago

Good tip MT45 ! Thx

#13 5 years ago

Super Clean is my most used product. works 9 out of ten times.

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#14 5 years ago

I keep a bottle of Mean Green, Crud Cutter, and Greased Lightning on hand at all times. Sometimes one will work better than the other, but I have the most success with Mean Green, at least on old EM's. It's important not to leave it on too long as it can absorb into the wood. None of them are good on flaking cabinets as it just exacerbates things. While I've had minor paint loss on EM's, it's nothing that affected the color or look. I did almost wipe out all the white letters on my Williams High Speed though. Apparently the paint wasn't as tough on the newer games.

6 months later
#15 5 years ago

Just used Super Clean on my yellowed Top Score... Amazing difference! Highly recommended product.

#16 5 years ago
Quoted from Vic_Camp:

Super Clean is my most used product. works 9 out of ten times.
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I would NOT recommend anyone doing this, you can see the wood checking and opening up cracks all over the place. Spraying directly on the cabinet is not good. You're better off saturating the rag and keeping a dry towel in your other hand and dry it off as you clean.

#17 5 years ago

Sprayway Crazy Clean is the best thing I’ve found. It’s an aerosal foam so less chance of causing problems.

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