A LITTLE MAINTENANCE

[Rick Falcon]

Just wondering what you guys use to keep your machines looking clean?

I have a couple of beavers on my route that the lids are loosing the shine, any suggestions?

[will.vend]

liqiud wax...after cleaning with mild non abrasive cleaner

[jamesjmcgough]

We have about 200-250 1 year old Beaver lids that have lost their shine. Add to that the globe bases. I will be really interested in hearing about your solution that actually lasts for more than a couple of months. I had a dream the other nite that I was 'spit polishing' lids. I woke up and my arm was still asleep. Maybe we could just soak them in hair gel, throw em in the microwave and fantasize that we had bought the best/highest quality vending machine on the face of the earth?

But then my electric and beauty supply bill would far exceed the cost of new machines.

[Rick Falcon]

Thanks for your reply guys. I was just thinking how would thees lids look with a coat of spray paint,has anybody tried this?

[shvend]

They would be fine just use a high quality spray paint. 

[Hillbilly]

Here is a picture of one I did over the weekend.  Just take a scotchbrite pad  (3M # 07447) over it real good.  I'd recommend a tack cloth as well. Tack it right before your ready to paint. This is Rustoleum gloss Yellow.  Krylon does really well also.

[jamesjmcgough]

Why would you have to SOS your chrome lids if they were decent quality chrome? I can understand a restaurant location or even a location where diesel exhaust could cause a problem. I have always thought of chrome as a simple 'wipe it off' type if finish. Is this the hammered type that was chromed after the fact?

[will.vend]

on chrome I use spray on wheel cleaner. I use it on all my mechanisms and beaver lids, on painted stuff I use mild cleaner and then liquid wax.

[Rick Falcon]

Will any specific brand of wheel cleaner?

[will.vend]

I just get the best bargain, no particular kind...

[JEREMYTINA]

SOS pads have worked for us in most cases as well.  I just painted a couple of lids and had my wife place them on a machine we put inot the field this week.  One issue I can tell we are going to have with a painted lid is the other keys on the ring.  My chrome lids won't really scratch taking out the threaded barrel, but the painted ones will.  We currently have five different keys for locks on our bulk route, and it will suck if we have to remove the key from the ring before using it.

[Hillbilly]

I take the key that I'm going to use off the ring anyway.  It makes taking the lock out much easier.

[sherlock]

One issue I can tell we are going to have with a painted lid is the other keys on the ring.  My chrome lids won't really scratch taking out the threaded barrel, but the painted ones will.  We currently have five different keys for locks on our bulk route, and it will suck if we have to remove the key from the ring before using it.

Get yourself a c-clip for your keys.

Like this one: http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/657289_front200.jpg

Put each key on it's own key-ring then put all the key-rings on the one c-clip.

Just take the key-ring holding the key you need off the c-clip when servicing.

This way your only holding one key & key ring while unlocking.

It will save your lids from the damage you describe.

No one wants to fuss removing a key from a key ring at each service stop.

The c-clip works for me and I have more than 5 different keys on my route.

These clips are available in many different sizes and at just about any major store carrying some hardware (Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, etc).

[Hillbilly]

I use a spring loaded shower curtain hook.  It serves the same purpose but you don't need another ring for each key.

[dperry]

I had gotten some old A&A machines and the mechs were all grimey.  I used some Scrubbing Bubbles foaming bathroom cleanser to clean them up.  The foam gets into the nooks and crannys of the chrome mech face and lifts out the dirt pretty well.