[TowerTalk] Cleaning tarnished wire

[Al Kozakiewicz]

Just FYI, muriatic acid is just another, ancient, name for hydrochloric acid.  Common use of the term in modern hardware stores is HCl diluted to something around 25% Acid solder flux is generally HCL and zinc chloride along with some other inorganic salts and flow modifying agents.

The ingredient in Coke that purportedly removes rust is phosphoric acid, which is added to give the beverage some "bite".  It is the active ingredient in most of the automotive rust loosening potions as well.  Coke does not have nearly the concentration of H3PO4 found in these products.  I have no idea if it works on the oxides of copper as well as it does on the oxides of iron.

Vinegar is acetic acid.  I think the concentration is something like 5-7%.  You can always juice it up by boiling off some of the water.  IIRC acetic acid will convert copper oxide to an acetate that is water soluble but I'm pretty sure it also dissolves copper as well.

Al
AB2ZY

-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Craig Clark
Sent: Sunday, August 03, 2014 8:42 AM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Cc: 'Stephen Davis'
Subject: [TowerTalk] Cleaning tarnished wire

   1. Re: Cleaning Tarnished Wire (Edwin Karl)

The key to all the suggestions posted so far is the acids found in coke and ketchup.

Here's what Steve Davis of Davis RF has posted for cleaning Flexweave:

Soldering Flexweave Products

The directions below apply to bare copper flexweave products but also can be valuable in dealing with protecting solder joints, cleaning aged flexweave and insulated products. Please note all safety warnings on the materials you will use. You should always wear safety glasses and work in a well ventilated space.

Most hardware retailers and plumbing supply stores carry some type of "plumbers acid" or acid based soldering flux. This product is a diluted acid (typically hydrochloric, sulfuric or muriatic) and is available under many brand names including but not limited to: Copper Glo Liquid, Stay-Clean Flux and C-Flux.

The first step is to soak the end of the wire to be cleaned in the acid solution for approximately ten minutes. Then using a small wire brush moving in one direction (toward the end of the wire) carefully remove any oxidation on the wire. Next the brushed wire should dipped several times in the acid solution then rinsed with hot water dip. Dry the flexweave by pulling the wire through a dry, clan rag. Allow the flexweave to dry for an hour or use a hair dryer to speed up the process. 

Once the flexweave is fully dry, form the wire with your fingers and tin with your solder iron. Please note that whenever soldering new, old or cleaned flexweave that you should always apply some silicone grease over the entire solder joint and an inch or so on the wire either side of the solder joint. Then put any waterproof (not water resistant), UV resistant tape over the solder joint (see our amp fusion or coaxseal tapes). This will allow you to deal with the joint in the future without any oxidation build up.

YMMV


Craig Clark K1QX
PO Box 209
107 Fitzgerald Rd
Rindge NH 03461
(603) 899-6103 office
(603) 520 6577 cell




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