Hi,
Warning! Walkman mender rookie
Just got my first vintage Walkman (=first walkman in 18 years) a WM-W800. The unit looks very nice on first look, no big scratches, dents, etc., but sadly, the batteries were still in there (Duracell, made in USA, must be a decade, perhaps even two old). Must have been standing up as the acid poured down, mostly on metal cassette backplates. Some of it got to top mechanism parts around the buttons, power board for one of the motors and soundboard around volume pot.
I removed the batteries, cleaned the bulk of residue (blue, greenish & white), opened the unit (thanks to DocP for excellent wm-10 thread) removed belts (sticky and chewing gum like), put the battery box back on and surprise - both decks seem to work (motors turn, sound on both channels when turning reels by hand). While waiting for the belts to arrive from Turntableneedles I'd like to clean the unit properly.
1. How do I clean the rust & residue? Soak the complete unit in water + baking soda, rinse with water & dry? I do not dare disassembling it down to smallest bits if possible. I think Batterymaker once suggested ammonia for alkaline batteries?
2. One of the cassette backplates is pretty corroded; I do not want to destroy it further by grinding,etc.
3. The battery cover has slight discoloration on one side - how do I treat it without destroying the black finish?
Thanks.
Will add pics soon.

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