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Re: [TCML] keeping primary copper tubing nice and shiny

could you please send me your plating formula?

On Thu, Jan 14, 2010 at 11:02 PM, Chris Boden <cboden@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> Frank, I'd love a recipe and details on that if you would be so kind. It
> would make for a really good video. If you're *really* motivated, you're
> welcome to come to the studio and do an instructional video on
> electroplating with me if you like.
>
>
>
> The Geek Group
> National Science Center
> Christopher A. Boden
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> www.thegeekgroup.org
> Because the Geek shall inherit the Earth!
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>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
> Of Frank
> Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2010 6:54 PM
> To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [TCML] keeping primary copper tubing nice and shiny
>
> LOTS of elbow grease to polish.
> I use only Brasso, I have found this to be the best polish, and
> follow it with Flitz to give a final  shine. You will be amazed how
> much it makes a difference.
> BUT and this is a big BUT, I have also found Flitz will tarnish
> quicker! The copper will tarnish faster on a coil than elsewhere due
> to the corona and ozone. Additional factors that will accelerate
> tarnish are cigarette smoke, pollution and wood smoke from stoves to
> name a few.
> Then use Zinger spray shellac and spray the tubing.
>
> Pretty much once you have the coil tuned you should not need to keep
> changing the tap, however, if you are always wanting to adjust the
> tap then put a good quality car wax on the tubing. This will keep the
> oxidation down for a good amount of time but you will have to repeat
> the process on a routine basis. The time between polishing and waxing
> strictly depends on your local area and how much you run the coil.
>
> A more long term solution is to nickle plate the copper. This is
> actually easier than you think and can be done at home, you just need
> the plating chemicals, an adjustable low voltage current source (an
> old time battery eliminator works great) and a small paint brush.
>
> I can send anyone my plating formula I found in an antique plating
> book. It works great! The chemicals are still available but very
> expensive now. I got mine many years ago as a fluke and cheap!
>
> Frank
>
> At 02:14 PM 1/14/2010 -0600, you wrote:
> >Sure, Flitz will clean it up nice, but it never stays that way.  Anyway i
> >prefer this cheap stuff called "bar-keepers friend" or something like
> that,
> >i think i get it at home depot or menards.  Its a powder and is extremely
> >effective at ripping the oxide right off the copper, and as noted, its
> >really cheap.
> >
> >I found that putting a lexan plate over my primaries tends to increase the
> >"lifetime" before it looks like crap, but i suspect thats mostly due to
> >handling (you dont get your oils all over it).  Even still, give it enough
> >time and it will start turning darker.
> >
> >Steve
> >
> >On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 7:59 PM, DC Cox <resonance@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >
> > > Flitz works great.      Get at boat marinas.
> > >
> > > DC
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 2:49 PM, Thomas Ryckmans <
> > > thomas.ryckmans@xxxxxxxxxx
> > > > wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hi,
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Any ideas of how I could keep my primary copper tubing nice and
> shiny?
> I
> > > > need it conductive so I can tap it at different points - but would
> like
> > > to
> > > > have a protective layer on it to keep the nice sheen. New copper is
> so
> > > much
> > > > prettier than the oxidized one
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Many thanks
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Thomas
> > > >
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-- 
-Ryan Krammer
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