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Old 28th Apr 2009, 1:04 am   #8
Skywave
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK.
Posts: 7,457
Lightbulb Re: cleaning tuning capacitors

Interesting Thread.

Washing powder contains caustic soda (sodium hydroxide, NaOH) - albeit in a dilute form. Caustic soda will attack aluminium - I frequently use it (diluted with water) in the kitchen to remove stubborn baked-on grease from aluminium cooking trays that have been used in the oven. Since this chemical is not that difficult to obtain 'over the counter' as 'soda crystals', perhaps a solution of same in a plastic washing-up bowl will do the same thing - without using the washing-machine, etc.

A few words of caution: there will be noxious fumes given off, the density dependant on the strength of the solution. Use a face mask to protect your lungs; plastic / rubber gloves to protect your fingers. Having a window open nearby is also a good idea. And don't splash the solution in your eyes! Wear goggles.

Al. / Skywave.
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