Condenser/Capacitor Coating?

[Mike B.]

I am considering trying to revive the look of my radio noise suppression capacitors. Caswell offers small plating kits including those that can be brushed on so as not to jeopardize the internal components by dipping. I will practice first on a few that are less valuable.

However I don't know if the steel cases were coated with zinc, nickel, tin, cadmium, or who knows?

Can anyone provide the answer?

Thank you.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Condenser/Capacitor Coating?

Mike,

I use silver rub and buff, it's available at Michels crafts store but don't tell anyone about it. Just a small bit will make the capaciator look very nice again. Also works good on radiator caps.

[Peter L.]

Re: Condenser/Capacitor Coating?

Mike - Tim right on the rub and buff. Just don't get it on anything you don't want to have the "silver" on color like the wire insulation, etc. You can remove it, but it's just a PITA.

I expect the original plating on the capacitor cans was zinc.

Pete