[HomeBrew] Cleaning variable caps

[Will White]

Dennis:

If they are really really grungy, you can simmer them in a pan of water on the stove, to which you have added 3 or 4 tablespoons of lemon
juice. Cover them completely with water, let them simmer (don't get them into a rolling boil, I am not sure, but it may damage them) for
from 10 to 30 minutes, then let them cool, scrub them with an old toothbrush and rinse very well, and also sry them thgroughly, so they
don't rust. This technique works very well, I have used it several times with some caps that were unbelievably grimy, actually encrusted
with dirt and dried grease solid.

For caps that are hust "dusty and tarnished", any of a number of metal cleaning solutions will do. I use a prodcuct called Noxon, which is
ammonia based. I thin it with 2 parts water to one part cleaner, and soak, then brush as above, rinse and dry.

3-in-1 oil to the bearing race , just a drop, will lubricate them just fine. I have a little precision oiler that contains silicone oil
with a touch of PTFE, works even better. Just use whatever you use--sparingly! You certainly don't want the oil shorting out the cap!

Dennis Berry wrote:

>
> Does anyone have a good tip on cleaning up variable caps?  In my old
> collection, I have some that are just dusty, some tarnished looking, etc.
> Is there a solution to clean them up, and then do I lubricate them with any
> kind of light oil on the bearings, or is that a real no-no.
>
> Looking for ideas and I figure this is a good group to get advice in.
>
>     Dennis, NU8S
>

--
Will White, KD7BFX
Seattle WA US
King County, Grid CN87tq
ITU Zone 6, CQ Zone 3
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