[Elecraft] Help w/KPA100 paint removal

[Don Wilhelm]

Frank,

First, the 'paint' is really not paint at all but the product of an
anodizing process, so masking would be out of the question.

Secondly, just use the sandpaper on a flat block to remove the anodizing
from around the holes.  The area around the holes is slightly 'bulged' as a
result of the machining process and what you are doing is sanding off the
high points.  Try it, it works - watch what you are doing and stop when you
have exposed enough of the aluminum to make good contact.

If you use a Dremel tool, be careful - should you use a bit which gouges, it
may create hollows in the metal and will not provide a good flat mechanical
mounting surface - and that flat mounting surface IS what you need to
achieve.

73,
Don W3FPR

"Life is what is happening when you are making other plans" -- Mike Cross

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <W4FMS at aol.com>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2004 10:27 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Help w/KPA100 paint removal


> Hello All:
>
> I'm building a KPA100 and I'm at the point I've got to remove the black
> finish paint around the 4 screw holes on the top and sides of heat sink.
> The manual says to do this with the provided sandpaper.  I'm concerned
about
> scratching the surrounding surface.
>
> I'd really like this to look nice when I'm done.  I'm wondering if anyone
> has tried alternative methods?  How about a Dremmel tool?  I don't see how
> I'm going to remove all the paint around the flat surface of the hole
> without making a scratch or two that wasn't intended?  I wish these areas
> were never painted in the first place.
>