Martin,
If it was my project I would disassemble it and give it a coat or two of "hammered" black and finish up with a clear coat.
Of course, I have no idea of the inner workings, or I wouldn't even consider it! The problem perhaps being the time element involved. LOL
Just a thought, assuming that you're much younger than me, with the time to do it . Hi,
Charlie
Thanks Charlie. I have considered the option of disassembly, although I would keep the plain aluminium finish but this time, do the proper finishing (dip in cleaning solution, then spray with Krylon) as recommended in the ARRL books. This would be quite easy to do with the unit in the photographs, which is a very basic transmit/receive switch. However, if you take (for example) my transmitter, disassembly would be a major task, reversing the many hours that went into building it in the first place. And then of course reassembly afterwards.
The only surfaces that are substantially damaged are the top plates or the tops of cabinets. Anything vertically arranged, such as front panels and the sides of chassis, still looks good. So I think the plan will be to try to get those top surfaces back to their shiny, unblemished state. Then, protect the tube sockets, transformers, meters and dials with tape, and spray the exposed surfaces with some kind of protective coat. Because I am a perfectionist, that might need to be preceded by a proper labeling of the front panels (I have the software and the electric laminator for that) prior to spraying. (Although there is a school of thought that homebrewed panels should not be labeled, because the builder doesn't need it. My gear is simple enough that I don't need labels!)
Something for later....
I suppose this also argues for "dust covers" on equipment when it is not in use.... The fact that it is the top surfaces that are worst affected probably points in that direction.
Edited to add: I do think the English climate is a factor. This gear was out in the open in my American shack for about four years after it was built, and still looked "as new". But after three years in southeast England, the tarnish is well established.
73 de Martin, KB1WSY