[Amps] Surface Cleaning Tarnished Aluminum

[Vic K2VCO]

w2cqm at juno.com wrote:
> 
> I'd like to clean a pocked marked  air variable aluminum capacitor by 
> etching the surfaces. Is there some commercial or hombrew product I 
> could use to dip the component and achieve that result? Any 
> suggestions would be appreciated. Ron W2CQM/3  

I've done this by taking the capacitor apart and using 400 and 800-grit 
sandpaper, such as is used for automobile finishing, followed by 
polishing on a buffing wheel.  Although lye will etch aluminum, it 
doesn't give a smooth finish, and I don't know how you'd get the residue 
off without taking it apart anyway.

-- 
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco