[tubino]

Here's a heretical approach: put it in your utility sink. Spray heavily with a good citrus-based degreaser/cleaner until every spot is wet. Wait a minute, then HOSE IT DOWN, but getting as little H20 in transformers and paper caps. Use a soft brush on trouble spots. Your old toothbrush is good for small spots. Rinse thoroughly.

Now the most important part: put it in a nice warm dry spot to throughly dry out. Take a good look at the area around your furnace, or an extra forced air register where the wife won't mind. Have WD-40 handy to dry out trouble spots, prevent corrosion, and to help polish surfaces etc.

I am told all the time this is nuts, but a friend of mine has done this for about 35 years without a hitch. OH, don't fire up that unit till it's REALLY DRY. Don't get any more water in the transformer than you have to!!!

I have done this on dozens of units, and all have fired up just fine. I don't get water in paper caps, of course... Often you can turn somethign horrible into something quite nice in 10 minutes or less.

Okay, fire away now and tell me how horrible this practice is. I'm used to it.