Antique leatherette case smells like poop, crap, etc. (can't

[msg]

I remember reading a thread within the last month regarding explanations
for why some old wooden cases with leatherette (or leather) fabric coverings
smell (or stink) with a very vile smell. The expression I remember reading
in the previous thread was "smells like poop". All attempts to locate this
thread using Google Groups has come up null for me, so I would appreciate
either a pointer to it or some replies in this thread. IIRC, one explanation
involved perhaps the use of horse glue which has deteriorated over time, but
there were other ideas mentioned as well.

I would also appreciate suggestions for remediation of the foul odor.

Regards,

Michael

 

[msg]

msg wrote:

I remember reading a thread within the last month regarding explanations
for why some old wooden cases with leatherette (or leather) fabric
coverings
smell (or stink) with a very vile smell. The expression I remember reading
in the previous thread was "smells like poop". All attempts to locate this
thread using Google Groups has come up null for me, so I would appreciate
either a pointer to it or some replies in this thread. IIRC, one
explanation
involved perhaps the use of horse glue which has deteriorated over time,
but
there were other ideas mentioned as well.

I would also appreciate suggestions for remediation of the foul odor.

Regards,

Michael

I have now found the reference, by searching on "horse glue"; it was in a
thread involving bakelite and plastics and was a digression from the original
topic:

http://groups.google.com/group/sci.electronics.repair/browse_thread/thread/11788b89ecad9b0a/c4390e64e6145bf5?q=horse+glue+smell#

Anyway, how might I deodorize the case? At the moment it is so offensive that
it must be kept out of any space in which people may be present. I tried
desiccant, perfume, lysol, soap and water wash, and a few other things without
much success.

Michael

 

[N_Cook]

msg <msg@_cybertheque.org_> wrote in message
news:M9adnRXUTLWa6o3XnZ2dnUVZ_jadnZ2d@posted.cpinternet...

msg wrote:

I remember reading a thread within the last month regarding explanations
for why some old wooden cases with leatherette (or leather) fabric
coverings
smell (or stink) with a very vile smell. The expression I remember
reading
in the previous thread was "smells like poop". All attempts to locate
this
thread using Google Groups has come up null for me, so I would
appreciate
either a pointer to it or some replies in this thread. IIRC, one
explanation
involved perhaps the use of horse glue which has deteriorated over time,
but
there were other ideas mentioned as well.

I would also appreciate suggestions for remediation of the foul odor.

Regards,

Michael

I have now found the reference, by searching on "horse glue"; it was in a
thread involving bakelite and plastics and was a digression from the
original
topic:


http://groups.google.com/group/sci.electronics.repair/browse_thread/thread/1

1788b89ecad9b0a/c4390e64e6145bf5?q=horse+glue+smell#

Anyway, how might I deodorize the case? At the moment it is so offensive
that
it must be kept out of any space in which people may be present. I tried
desiccant, perfume, lysol, soap and water wash, and a few other things
without
much success.

Michael

What is that volcanic ash stuff? gypsum? huge surface area to its volume,
great at absorbing nasties, think "shake and vac".

Could also tie in with the more recent thread on telling real leather from
faux leather. Perhaps real leather structurally degrades biologically from
microbial attack.

Caproic acid goat/horse manure smell and butyric acid , vomit smell, maybe
other related breakdown chemicals from such biological materials as leather
, horse-glues, shellac and other insect resins etc. That I've sometimes
smelt inside old equipment as well as the nice shellac smells etc


--
Diverse Devices, Southampton, England
electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on
http://home.graffiti.net/diverse:graffiti.net/

 

[Richard Knoppow]

<dkelvey@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:55b7d6ae-ae39-48b8-8c27-8a2c74fe7056@a5g2000pre.googlegroups.com...
On May 17, 1:34 pm, msg <msg@_cybertheque.org_> wrote:

I remember reading a thread within the last month
regarding explanations
for why some old wooden cases with leatherette (or
leather) fabric coverings
smell (or stink) with a very vile smell. The expression I
remember reading
in the previous thread was "smells like poop". All
attempts to locate this
thread using Google Groups has come up null for me, so I
would appreciate
either a pointer to it or some replies in this thread.
IIRC, one explanation
involved perhaps the use of horse glue which has
deteriorated over time, but
there were other ideas mentioned as well.

I would also appreciate suggestions for remediation of the
foul odor.

Regards,

Michael

Hi
You might try putting a bowl of Clorox in it and close it
up.
It may bleach the insides a little but it is also effective
at
oxidizing smells.
Dwight

My memory is that some plastics will smell very bad
when deteriorating. Rather than Chlorox, which is volitile
and a pretty powerful oxidizer you might try sodium
bicarbonate (Baking Soda). Its a good odor absorber and
certainly works well in refrigerators. Its much less likely
to do additional damage than bleach.


--

--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
dickburk@ix.netcom.com

 

[dkelvey@hotmail.com]

On May 17, 1:34 pm, msg <msg@_cybertheque.org_> wrote:

I remember reading a thread within the last month regarding explanations
for why some old wooden cases with leatherette (or leather) fabric coverings
smell (or stink) with a very vile smell.  The expression I remember reading
in the previous thread was "smells like poop".  All attempts to locate this
thread using Google Groups has come up null for me, so I would appreciate
either a pointer to it or some replies in this thread.  IIRC, one explanation
involved perhaps the use of horse glue which has deteriorated over time, but
there were other ideas mentioned as well.

I would also appreciate suggestions for remediation of the foul odor.

Regards,

Michael

Hi
You might try putting a bowl of Clorox in it and close it up.
It may bleach the insides a little but it is also effective at
oxidizing smells.
Dwight

 

[Dr. Barry L. Ornitz]

"Richard Knoppow" <dickburk@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:xcCdnUFdZbTEDY3XnZ2dnUVZ_rOdnZ2d@earthlink.com...

My memory is that some plastics will smell very bad when
deteriorating. Rather than Chlorox, which is volitile and a pretty
powerful oxidizer you might try sodium bicarbonate (Baking Soda). Its a
good odor absorber and certainly works well in refrigerators. Its much
less likely to do additional damage than bleach.

These plastics are cellulose butyrate or the mixed ester cellulose
acetate butyrate. The smell is caused by the release of butyric acid. I
would suggest dilute washing soda, sodium carbonate, solution over the
bicarbonate solution as it is more aggressive. If you have an isolated
plastic piece, dilute lye (sodium hydroxide) solution, works better
still. These caustic solutions chemically react with the acids to
neutralize them. Cellulose acetate esters release acetic acid instead
causing what is known as the "vinegar syndrome". These same caustic
solutions work well here too.

The National Film and Sound Archive in their Film Preservation Handbook
discusses this in detail
(http://www.nfsa.gov.au/preservation/film_handbook/film_base_polymers.html).
My friend Andy Emmerson also mentions this on page 200 of his book,
:Electronic Classics" (http://books.google.com/books?id=mqm9VefmnRIC).

Adequate ventilation with clean dry air is needed to minimize the
degradation of these plastics.
Hermetically sealing your old radio in a glass display case will only
make matters worse.

--
73, Dr. Barry L. Ornitz WA4VZQ
BLOrnitz48@charter.net

 

[N_Cook]

N_Cook <diverse@tcp.co.uk> wrote in message
news:gupv0a$9se$1@news.eternal-september.org...

msg <msg@_cybertheque.org_> wrote in message
news:M9adnRXUTLWa6o3XnZ2dnUVZ_jadnZ2d@posted.cpinternet...
msg wrote:

I remember reading a thread within the last month regarding
explanations
for why some old wooden cases with leatherette (or leather) fabric
coverings
smell (or stink) with a very vile smell. The expression I remember
reading
in the previous thread was "smells like poop". All attempts to locate
this
thread using Google Groups has come up null for me, so I would
appreciate
either a pointer to it or some replies in this thread. IIRC, one
explanation
involved perhaps the use of horse glue which has deteriorated over
time,
but
there were other ideas mentioned as well.

I would also appreciate suggestions for remediation of the foul odor.

Regards,

Michael

I have now found the reference, by searching on "horse glue"; it was in
a
thread involving bakelite and plastics and was a digression from the
original
topic:



http://groups.google.com/group/sci.electronics.repair/browse_thread/thread/1
1788b89ecad9b0a/c4390e64e6145bf5?q=horse+glue+smell#

Anyway, how might I deodorize the case? At the moment it is so offensive
that
it must be kept out of any space in which people may be present. I
tried
desiccant, perfume, lysol, soap and water wash, and a few other things
without
much success.

Michael



What is that volcanic ash stuff? gypsum? huge surface area to its volume,
great at absorbing nasties, think "shake and vac".

Could also tie in with the more recent thread on telling real leather from
faux leather. Perhaps real leather structurally degrades biologically from
microbial attack.

Caproic acid goat/horse manure smell and butyric acid , vomit smell, maybe
other related breakdown chemicals from such biological materials as
leather
, horse-glues, shellac and other insect resins etc. That I've sometimes
smelt inside old equipment as well as the nice shellac smells etc


--
Diverse Devices, Southampton, England
electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on
http://home.graffiti.net/diverse:graffiti.net/

Not gypsum but Fuller's earth, 120 square meters of surface area per gram


--
Diverse Devices, Southampton, England
electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on
http://home.graffiti.net/diverse:graffiti.net/

 

[Dr. Barry L. Ornitz]

"N_Cook" <diverse@tcp.co.uk> wrote in message
news:guqvkm$9go$1@news.eternal-september.org...

Not gypsum but Fuller's earth, 120 square meters of surface area per
gram

Activated charcoal has a surface area of over 2000 square meters per
gram.

--
73, Dr. Barry L. Ornitz WA4VZQ
BLOrnitz48@charter.net

 

[b]

On 17 mayo, 22:34, msg <msg@_cybertheque.org_> wrote:

I remember reading a thread within the last month regarding explanations
for why some old wooden cases with leatherette (or leather) fabric coverings
smell (or stink) with a very vile smell. The expression I remember reading
in the previous thread was "smells like poop". All attempts to locate this
thread using Google Groups has come up null for me, so I would appreciate
either a pointer to it or some replies in this thread. IIRC, one explanation
involved perhaps the use of horse glue which has deteriorated over time, but
there were other ideas mentioned as well.

I would also appreciate suggestions for remediation of the foul odor.

Regards,

Michael

i've seen others recommend getting some of those scented blocks you
find in urinals, and sealing the radio in a bag with them for 24
hours.
-B

 

[Bill M]

b wrote:

i've seen others recommend getting some of those scented blocks you
find in urinals, and sealing the radio in a bag with them for 24
hours.
-B

I always leave them there for the next guy

-Bill

 

[N_Cook]

b <reverend_rogers@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:e1194277-c46e-47bc-8e41-d4c2f8bbc537@o30g2000vbc.googlegroups.com...

On 17 mayo, 22:34, msg <msg@_cybertheque.org_> wrote:
I remember reading a thread within the last month regarding explanations
for why some old wooden cases with leatherette (or leather) fabric
coverings
smell (or stink) with a very vile smell. The expression I remember
reading
in the previous thread was "smells like poop". All attempts to locate
this
thread using Google Groups has come up null for me, so I would
appreciate
either a pointer to it or some replies in this thread. IIRC, one
explanation
involved perhaps the use of horse glue which has deteriorated over time,
but
there were other ideas mentioned as well.

I would also appreciate suggestions for remediation of the foul odor.

Regards,

Michael

i've seen others recommend getting some of those scented blocks you
find in urinals, and sealing the radio in a bag with them for 24
hours.
-B

But channel blocks are activated by being pissed on, which means ....


--
Diverse Devices, Southampton, England
electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on
http://home.graffiti.net/diverse:graffiti.net/

 

[Dr. Barry L. Ornitz]

"N_Cook" <diverse@tcp.co.uk> wrote in message
news:gutl4i$3f6$1@news.eternal-september.org...

b <reverend_rogers@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:e1194277-c46e-47bc-8e41-d4c2f8bbc537@o30g2000vbc.googlegroups.com...

i've seen others recommend getting some of those scented blocks you
find in urinals, and sealing the radio in a bag with them for 24
hours.

But channel blocks are activated by being pissed on, which means ....

Actually the "commode cookies" are paradichlorobenzene, a.k.a. para moth
flakes. It is one of the best compounds for killing mildew that I have
used. Mothballs are made from naphthalene which is far less effective in
stopping mildew. The scent of paradichlorobenzene is quite distinctive.

--
73, Dr. Barry L. Ornitz WA4VZQ
BLOrnitz48@charter.net

 

[GregS]

In article <psmdnY96FKeA6I3XnZ2dnUVZ_q6dnZ2d@posted.cpinternet>, msg <msg@_cybertheque.org_> wrote:

I remember reading a thread within the last month regarding explanations
for why some old wooden cases with leatherette (or leather) fabric coverings
smell (or stink) with a very vile smell. The expression I remember reading
in the previous thread was "smells like poop". All attempts to locate this
thread using Google Groups has come up null for me, so I would appreciate
either a pointer to it or some replies in this thread. IIRC, one explanation
involved perhaps the use of horse glue which has deteriorated over time, but
there were other ideas mentioned as well.

I would also appreciate suggestions for remediation of the foul odor.

The stuff that removes odor can also hurt coloring. What do you
expect from dead animals.

Clorox, OxyClean, Ozone, What else is there. Strong alkaline soap.

Bake it in an oven or out in the sun.

You can leave it closed and fill it with activated charcoal.

greg

 

[N_Cook]

Peter Elem <pelem@optimum.net> wrote in message
news:9fm315dbjca1ulgau26bnbs7p67vldd2r1@4ax.com...

On Sun, 17 May 2009 21:21:17 -0400, "Dr. Barry L. Ornitz"
BLOrnitz48@charter.net> wrote:

"Richard Knoppow" <dickburk@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:xcCdnUFdZbTEDY3XnZ2dnUVZ_rOdnZ2d@earthlink.com...

My memory is that some plastics will smell very bad when
deteriorating. Rather than Chlorox, which is volitile and a pretty
powerful oxidizer you might try sodium bicarbonate (Baking Soda). Its a
good odor absorber and certainly works well in refrigerators. Its much
less likely to do additional damage than bleach.

These plastics are cellulose butyrate or the mixed ester cellulose
acetate butyrate. The smell is caused by the release of butyric acid. I
would suggest dilute washing soda, sodium carbonate, solution over the
bicarbonate solution as it is more aggressive. If you have an isolated
plastic piece, dilute lye (sodium hydroxide) solution, works better
still. These caustic solutions chemically react with the acids to
neutralize them. Cellulose acetate esters release acetic acid instead
causing what is known as the "vinegar syndrome". These same caustic
solutions work well here too.

The National Film and Sound Archive in their Film Preservation Handbook
discusses this in detail

(http://www.nfsa.gov.au/preservation/film_handbook/film_base_polymers.html)
..
My friend Andy Emmerson also mentions this on page 200 of his book,
:Electronic Classics" (http://books.google.com/books?id=mqm9VefmnRIC).

Adequate ventilation with clean dry air is needed to minimize the
degradation of these plastics.
Hermetically sealing your old radio in a glass display case will only
make matters worse.

My Microsopft wireless mouse is covered with a thin layer of rubbery
plastic to make it feel "soft" . Some of that has been pealing off
while a slimey colorless and orderless liquid sits between the plastic
and the surface of the mouse.

I've seen similar with conformal coating breaking down , over decades,
producing an oil-like chemmical that then, capillary fashion, gets into the
chippery which it was supposed to protect against such ingress.


--
Diverse Devices, Southampton, England
electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on
http://home.graffiti.net/diverse:graffiti.net/

 

[msg]

msg wrote:

<snip>

Anyway, how might I deodorize the case? At the moment it is so offensive
that it must be kept out of any space in which people may be present.
I've tried desiccant, perfume, lysol, soap and water wash, and a few
other things without much success.

Thanks for all of the replies; I intend to try an ozone soak (perhaps for
a few hours) with ozone generated by a high intensity quartz tube mercury
arc running for a few minutes, with the lot enclosed by a large plastic
bag.

Michael

 

[dlzc]

DEar msg:

On May 21, 11:03 am, msg <msg@_cybertheque.org_> wrote:

msg wrote:

snip

Anyway, how might I deodorize the case? At the moment
it is so offensive that it must be kept out of any space in
which people may be present. I've tried desiccant,
perfume, lysol, soap and water wash, and a few other
things without much success.

Thanks for all of the replies; I intend to try an ozone soak
(perhaps for a few hours) with ozone generated by a high
intensity quartz tube mercury arc running for a few minutes,

The UV will likely bleach anything it comes into contact with. Be
sure and keep the humidity high. It would be good to pull a vacuum,
then flood the space with ozone as the pressure increases, to drive it
deep into the material.

with the lot enclosed by a large plastic bag.

UV will eat the bag too, and anyone nearby. I'd check into renting a
unit used for smoke remediation. If 'twere me.

David A. Smith

 

[Bill M]

dlzc wrote:

I'd check into renting a
unit used for smoke remediation. If 'twere me.

David A. Smith

Really?

-Bill

 

[dlzc]

Dear Bill M:

On May 22, 12:35 pm, Bill M <radioex...@geemail.com> wrote:

dlzc wrote:
I'd check into renting a
unit used for smoke remediation.  If 'twere me.

Really?

No, I'd actually put it off and build my own ozone generator... at
least until the wife complained about yet another project half-
done... ;&gt

I designed the cell for this one:
http://www.gewater.com/pdf/1226966-%20Manual-%20ESeries%20Ozone%20Generator..pdf
.... until the knuckleheads polluted it, then stopped making it.

UV is *really* hard on organic items. Like leather and hands.

David A. Smith