Gold does not oxidize so wipe gently with a soft cloth (not paper towel). Silver? Use a product called "Tarn-X". This chemically changes silver oxide (tarnish) back into silver. Works well on copper too...
What solution to clean silver and gold contacts?
Hello!
I am looking for a product to use to clean contacts in my audio system. Contacts are mostly gold plated, but some of them are pure silver on pure silver.
I do not want anything that leaves any kind of residue / contact enhancement product. I read on forums that some members claim these products improve the sound at first, but later degrade it. So in the end, they removed all of the contact enhancement product from the actual contact.
Right now I am mostly leaning towards using pure ethanol alcohol, as I think all of it would evaporate.
Thanks in advance for all of your advices.
I am looking for a product to use to clean contacts in my audio system. Contacts are mostly gold plated, but some of them are pure silver on pure silver.
I do not want anything that leaves any kind of residue / contact enhancement product. I read on forums that some members claim these products improve the sound at first, but later degrade it. So in the end, they removed all of the contact enhancement product from the actual contact.
Right now I am mostly leaning towards using pure ethanol alcohol, as I think all of it would evaporate.
Thanks in advance for all of your advices.
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- 20 posts total
Tarn-X will cause pitting of the object's surface. These surface defects will act like a sponge and more readily absorb tarnish-producing gases and moisture. The object will eventually require professional polishing to restore the original finish. Tarn-X is made up of acidified thiourea (a known carcinogen). http://www.hermansilver.com/tarn-x.htm |
rodman99999: You may be right. I always clean off the tarn-x with alcohol when finished. I've been using 25+ years and have not seen any pitting. BTW, I'm pretty sure the air, in an urban environment, has cancer causing substances. I lived in a Chicago house for 35 years whose shingles were pure asbestos (and flakey too). I'm sure mine wasn't the only one. Not trying to scare you or anything... |
AudioQuest told me directly that tarnish on their silver-ended wires has zero impact on sound. I've found that their silver-ended cables do tarnish slightly over a good amount of time (it IS silver), and if for some unusual reason after a good while I have them off and it's convenient, I'll remove the tarnish with a standard silver polish (Wright's Silver Cream)--very easy to do. Of course I'm meticulous about being sure every trace of the polish is removed before reinserting. But based on their guidance, I don't really care about it and could go probably indefinitely without paying attention to it. |
- 20 posts total