[Antennas] Cleaning Aluminum ....question

Thu, 31 Oct 2002 06:45:31 -0600

You may also go to any local auto supply and look for "mag" wheel cleaner.
I have used this for years and it works well. Use gloves and a nylon scrub
pad for stubborn rust stains and corrosion areas near joints and clamps.

Be sure to rinse all parts with plenty of water to stop the cleaning action.
----- Original Message -----
From: "paul" <[email protected]>
To: "Dave Fouchey" <[email protected]>; "Mike J Maloney"
<[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 11:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Antennas] Cleaning Aluminum ....question

> hey guys..  i believe you that lye will do the job...  i have an old beam
on
> the ground begging to be polished up... there has to be  a commercial
> product that spit shines aluminum that is  safer than lye ????  73  paul
> w8jn
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dave Fouchey" <[email protected]>
> To: "Mike J Maloney" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
> Cc: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 11:49 PM
> Subject: Re: [Antennas] Cleaning Aluminum ....question
>
>
> > Mike Lye is common in most grocery stores next to the Liquid Plumber.
Use
> > gloves and safety goggles though.
> >
> > Dave
> > WA4EMR
> >
> > At 08:57 PM 10/30/02 -0600, Mike J Maloney wrote:
> > >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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