[R-390] Re: Polishing

[Scott, Barry (Clyde B)]

What you describe is alodine.  I have a frame I'm currently refurbishing.  There is a local company that will re-alodine for me.  I plan to clean/wet-sand all the pieces and have them done this way.  It should look pretty good when I'm finished.

Barry(III) - N4BUQ


 From what I remember from past projects, the anti-fungal varnish usually
appeared as a light brown (if thick enough) coating on the electronic
components and underchassis. It appears that that is the case on this radio
as well, on the few Motorola modules that I have in the radio.
 I think what I have is a thin plating (alodine, it seems) on all of the
metal surfaces. The overall color of the metal is a very light yellow, but
when viewed closely, a rainbow of colors can be seen - just like a metal
plated camera lens. I've seen the same rainbow on the metal frames of 80's
VCRs and audio equipment.
 I'm not too worried about reapplying it; if there is a cheap and safe (no
zinc chromate, thanks) way to reapply it, I'm all ears. Until then, I'll
be limiting my polishing where needed; still have lots of it to do in this
beat-up radio.

 I was working on the Crystal Oscillator cover, with the black
painted numbering and varnished labeling; both are pretty resilient to
NEVR-DULL polishing. I had expected quite the opposite, especially on the
varnished label. Now the cover is shiny! Yippeee.


David P. Goncalves