Off-subject--sort-of!

[john]

If it's silver, and it's the black oxide you're concerned about , fear not!
Silver oxide is conductive!
73
John wb5oau


At 01:16 PM 7/31/02 -0500, Fred Olsen wrote:
>
>Allen Heibeck wrote:
>
>> The vintage test equipment- Heath, Tektronix scopes,
>> etc,  used BNC connectors (silver-plated?) ...
>> What is a safe way to clean-off years of oxidation
>> without leaving an undesirable coating?
>
>Allen, if the BNC is "on-Heath" it's "on-topic".
>I've had good results cleaning precious metal connectors with Tarn-X.
>It's strong, and will remove any patina in addition to oxides, but it
>works.  Appropriate tools include cotton balls, toothbrushes, pipe
>cleaners (mind the wires though), toothpicks - whatever will get where
>you need to go.
>
>The caveat is that a soap and water wash afterward is required, plus a
>thorough rinse and complete drying.  Water removal can be aided by
>flushing with isopropyl alcohol - assuming there's nothing in the way
>which might be damaged.  The isopropanol should be pharmaceutical grade,
>99% or better, without any water in it.  No "rubbing alcohol".
>'Silver cleaners' and 'polishes' will leave abrasives, waxes, all sorts
>of mess behind.  Fine for cleaning silver-plated RF cans without
>destroying the patina, but not for connectors.
>
>
>> What will clean the scope graticule without the
>> lines coming off?
>
>Always approach this with caution.  It's an individual-piece thing, and
>also depends upon the markings being etched or silkscreened.  Some will
>survive solvents, some won't tolerate water.  I'd suggest starting with
>mild soap and water, applied with a Q-tip to the least conspicuous place
>having markings.  If all is well try just using your hands with suds as
>though you were washing them.  Use Fantastik, Formula 409, et al, and
>alcohols or other solvents with extreme care on anything with markings.
>
>As always, anyone should feel free to tell me how dumb I am (IF you can
>point out why).  ;<)
>
>Good luck,
>Fred
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