[Amps] Surface Cleaning Tarnished Aluminum

[k7rdx]

If you treat the aluminum with a caustic chemical to clean,remove
pits,etc.You MUST polish to a high shine if you want to maintain it`s
voltage breakdown rating.Rough aluminum is like two sharp surfaces close to
each other...Zapppp!!Do as Vic suggests if you have time and patience,or
just purchase a new cap..You may also wish to have the cap parts re-anodized
after polishing...If you don`t the cleaned&polished aluminum will oxidize in
a matter of time ruining your hours of work...My oh my,Jim, K7RDX..
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Vic K2VCO" <vic at rakefet.com>
To: <w2cqm at juno.com>
Cc: <amps at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 8:49 AM
Subject: Re: [Amps] Surface Cleaning Tarnished Aluminum


> 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
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