It seems that I saw a method to easily remove corrosion from connectors and bus bars in an electrical system. I can't find the info. Anyone have a method other than wire-brushing? How best to protect after cleaning?
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Magic Corrosion Remover
I use baking soda and warm water. It's great - I use it on my car battery terminals, too. It works like magic - just fizzes the corrosion away.
I use baking soda and warm water. It's great - I use it on my car battery terminals, too. It works like magic - just fizzes the corrosion away.
Corrosion or other oxidation?
Soapy Ammonia is more aggresive to clean off acid caused corrosion than soda is. These are good for problems caused by battery acid but other connectors end up with oxidation caused by water, especially salt water. I've used tuner cleaner from Radio Shack which also leaves a protective film but some mechanical cleaning is necessary too. Steel wool works well but don't leave any little 'hairs' around to short out. After everything is clean, put a good coating of no-oxide grease on the surfaces. It's available at automotive stores. Be very careful with some types of electrical cleaners that contain carbon-tetra-chloride type solvents. They work very well but destroy certain types of plastics. There's no recovering once it attacks the plastic! The fumes are not too neat either. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
Soapy Ammonia is more aggresive to clean off acid caused corrosion than soda is. These are good for problems caused by battery acid but other connectors end up with oxidation caused by water, especially salt water. I've used tuner cleaner from Radio Shack which also leaves a protective film but some mechanical cleaning is necessary too. Steel wool works well but don't leave any little 'hairs' around to short out. After everything is clean, put a good coating of no-oxide grease on the surfaces. It's available at automotive stores. Be very careful with some types of electrical cleaners that contain carbon-tetra-chloride type solvents. They work very well but destroy certain types of plastics. There's no recovering once it attacks the plastic! The fumes are not too neat either. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
Glass Pencil
I'm not sure if this is exactly what it's called, but I bought a tool (I believe from West Marine) that looks like a fat mechanical pencil. Instead of pencil lead, it contains a bundle of glass fibers than can be used to remove corrosion. Also, if it's not too bad, a coarse pencil eraser works.
I'm not sure if this is exactly what it's called, but I bought a tool (I believe from West Marine) that looks like a fat mechanical pencil. Instead of pencil lead, it contains a bundle of glass fibers than can be used to remove corrosion. Also, if it's not too bad, a coarse pencil eraser works.
It's really corrosion caused by salt water
Just to clarify. Most copper and bronze get a blue-green crud that I want to remove. Will Ammonia cut it?
Just to clarify. Most copper and bronze get a blue-green crud that I want to remove. Will Ammonia cut it?
Corrosion Prevention
Hi! A great product to prevent corrosion on electrical connections, not to mention a great lube, is a spray developed by Boeing called "Boe-Shield." After you get everything cleaned up, spray some on. LaDonna
Hi! A great product to prevent corrosion on electrical connections, not to mention a great lube, is a spray developed by Boeing called "Boe-Shield." After you get everything cleaned up, spray some on. LaDonna
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