[Antennas] Cleaning Aluminum ....question

2002年10月31日 00:25:35 -0500

There is a frequent poster on this list who seems to be a chemist. I think
I'd like to hear from him before using anything acidic on aluminum. It may
be only anecdotal, but I was always led to believe that acid and aluminum
are not a good mix.... something about encouraging corrosion.
Of course, we all follow some sage advice that may not be relevant anymore -
like not storing lead-acid batteries directly on concrete. I don't know
why, but it's father-to-son lore that's been passed down ever since there
were cars. My three spare lead-acid batteries get topped off every few
months and ARE sitting on a wood pallet in the storage barn. It might not
help, but it can't hurt. Besides, my dad would still to this day say
"Didn't I teach you to put batteries on a wood block?"
73, Frank
 ._._.
----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
To: "Mike J Maloney" <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 11:59 PM
Subject: Re: [Antennas] Cleaning Aluminum ....question
> One trick I have used in cleaning aluminum on antennas, etc is
> the Floridic acid mix they use to spray on aluminum AC outside
> coils...talk about clean!!! I had a DB420 UHF rptr antenna that was
> HEAVILY oxided (was on the Gulf Coast of Texas for 15 years!)..
> took the elements off, sprayed them with a double of what they
> normally used in the Floridic acid (its cut I think 9:1 with
> water) and after letting it soak and foam up, rinsed them off...
> and the antenna looked BRAND NEW!!! It shined in the sun after going
> up on the tower...didnt hurt any of the phenolic insulators or
> anything else...(and the antenna has been in the air for 6+ years
> now)..You can get the floridic acid at AC supply shops...CAREFUL
> with it though...it WILL burn you and SHOULD be diluted...though
> I would make it stronger than what they recommend since you arent
> cleaning small AC coils...if you can immerse the antenna parts in the
> solution, that will also clean the inside as well (the UHF dipoles
> did fit nicely in a buck of the solution! and the foam came out of
> the weep holes.....so I know that also got cleaned!)
>> Chris
> WB5ITT
>>> 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
> - - -
>> Your moderator for this list is:
> Larry Wilson KE1HZ [email protected]
> _______________________________________________
> Antennas mailing list
> [email protected]
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/antennas
>
---
Outgoing email Certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.408 / Virus Database: 230 - Release Date: 10/25/02