[Antennas] Cleaning Aluminum ....question

Wed, 30 Oct 2002 20:57:01 -0600

Hi Kees,
Still enjoying that blueracer deluxe!   I restored an old Wilson SY33
late last year.   The parts were heavy alum, but plated (rusted) steel
clamps and fasteners.   The traps were Mosley clones.   I replaced all
the fasteners and clamps with all-stainless hardware, and bought a new
boom to mast camp from Hygain.  Money well spent I think.

I have cleaned up aluminum parts using the old ARRL handbook formula with
caustic soda or common lye.   Aluminum comes out looking like brand new! 
 Hardest part was finding the lye, but a search on ebay should find some.
 Also Scothbrite pads are good for cleaning mating joints before applying
Burndy Penetrox A or equiv. joint compound.   Traps cleaned up with a
good stiff brush, Scotchbrite, stainless screws (if orig rusted), and lye
treatment of cylinder cover if desired.   A joint of 3 or 4" PVC can be
split with a skillsaw and capped at each end to make a trough for the lye
bath.   Be very cautious with the stuff, do with adequate ventalation,
use rubber gloves, goggles, etc.

Doing this to restore an aluminum antenna will make it look like new
again and by the time it is tarnished again, we will be SK's or too old
to give a rip.

73, Mike

On Wed, 30 Oct 2002 20:34:44 -0600 Sandy and Kees Talen
<[email protected]> writes:
> What's the best way to clean up aluminum elements, refurbish traps,
> and fastner coating to prevent corrosion. I assume going to 
> stainless 
> hardware is a good idea since most manufacturers offer that. Does 
> anyone coat the aluminum to retard future corrosion ?
> 
> Some manufacturers like Mosley and Wilson sure construct their
> antennas from better materials than others (larger traps, thicker 
> end
> caps which don't deteriorate as fast, stronger aluminum elements, 
> etc).
> 
> 73  Kees K5BCQ
> - - - 
> 
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> Larry Wilson KE1HZ [email protected]
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