[Heathkit] SB200 Wafer Switches

[Ray Keefe]

Bruce,

I've tried lots of stuff over the years, mineral spirits, alcohol, spray 
cleaners, lacquer thinner, pencil erasers and more. What I finally found 
works like gangbusters is a product used for removing the residue of 
paint stripping. It's called After Wash, made by Klean Strip, it's sold 
in quart cans about $8 at Home Depot. I use the stuff after stripping 
paint from wood, and out of desperation one day I tried it on a wafer 
switch and was amazed at how fast it worked!

Be very careful with the stuff it's highly flammable, use with plenty of 
ventilation. I use it with cotton swabs and let it dissolve the black 
gunk and with some gentle rubbing the brass or copper contacts are 
clean. What I also do is get the wafer good and wet with the stuff and 
work the switch back and forth to get the wipers clean.

I've even used it in pots and follow up with a shot of silicone lube, 
noisy controls get quiet and work smoothly.

Ray

K2RJK

Check out my shop for handmade unique gifts for Weddings and ham radio 
operators WWW.THEWOODENHAM.COM
On 12/20/2021 6:12 PM, Bruce Hudler WK3A via Heathkit wrote:
> Hello All,
> Me too - looking for replacement ceramic wafer switches.
> I have (2) SB200's that need these.
> #1 has blown rear section, possible to replace only the fingers.
> #2 has blown front section - not repairable as the rotor and finger vaporized.
> Harbach shows replacement rear section for $40 but not in stock.
>   No idea who has the front section.
> Is there something used to dissolve the tarnish on the contacts? I don't want to use anything abrasive obviously and contact cleaner won't cut it. I've used a good pencil eraser before on rotors but that doesn't get into the fingers.
> Thanks!
>
> Bruce WK3A
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