How to remove PCB residue from fittings
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2026 11:52 am
Does anyone know how to remove the remaining smell of PCB's oil from fittings where the capacitor has ruptured?
I have just been cleaning the remains of a capacitor from a grey sided pop pack, I have done the usual removing and bagging the capacitor, wiping off the worst of the oil and then cleaning the surfaces down with paraffin/white spirit and rag but the smell still lingers in the fitting and on the ballast etc.
I am guessing it has seeped into the paint, while the fitting will be getting a respray the ballast won't as it is pristine, so I guess there is not much to do other than let the smell gradually fade, unless anyone has any suggestions?
The fitting will also be fully rewired as it seemed to make the insulation of the cables go a bit funny and stretchy (plus decontaminating the cables would probably destroy them anyway).
I have just been cleaning the remains of a capacitor from a grey sided pop pack, I have done the usual removing and bagging the capacitor, wiping off the worst of the oil and then cleaning the surfaces down with paraffin/white spirit and rag but the smell still lingers in the fitting and on the ballast etc.
I am guessing it has seeped into the paint, while the fitting will be getting a respray the ballast won't as it is pristine, so I guess there is not much to do other than let the smell gradually fade, unless anyone has any suggestions?
The fitting will also be fully rewired as it seemed to make the insulation of the cables go a bit funny and stretchy (plus decontaminating the cables would probably destroy them anyway).