Aren't gold plated connectors supposed to be inoxidable?

Bricolo · 13th November 2003, 06:20 PM

That's how my "High-End" (according to the local store) RCA connectors look like.
I manipulated them with my fingers, and didn't touch them for 2 weeks

Now I can see my fingerprints on them, looks like oxidation. And it don't get away with acetone or alchool

Could this be "false' gold??

Steve Eddy · 13th November 2003, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bricolo
That's how my "High-End" (according to the local store) RCA connectors look like.
I manipulated them with my fingers, and didn't touch them for 2 weeks

Now I can see my fingerprints on them, looks like oxidation. And it don't get away with acetone or alchool

Could this be "false' gold??

Could be. Real gold shouldn't do that. I suppose it's possible that there's no gold on it at all, just polished brass which looks strikingly similar to gold but when handled, can tarnish just as you show in the photograph.

Try dissolving a couple tablespoons of salt in about half a cup of vinegar and see if that removes the fingerprint.

se

SY · 13th November 2003, 06:36 PM

It could also be that what you've got is very thin gold flashing, rather than a nice, hard electroplate.

Bricolo · 13th November 2003, 06:37 PM

thanks for the tip

should I put the entire connector in this solution, or simply put a little of it on a coton?

lux0 · 13th November 2003, 06:57 PM

It's probably a cadmium chromate dip....modern fools gold.

Steve Eddy · 13th November 2003, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bricolo
thanks for the tip

should I put the entire connector in this solution, or simply put a little of it on a coton?

Either way. Whichever one you do, just be sure to rinse it off well with some water afterward. Otherwise things will start turning green.

se

Steve Eddy · 13th November 2003, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SY
It could also be that what you've got is very thin gold flashing, rather than a nice, hard electroplate.

Yeah, a gold flash directly on the brass with no nickel barrier plating could give similar results I suppose. If that's the case, they're beyond cheap as even the cheap gold flashed stuff typically has a nickel barrier plating. And the "direct" gold plated stuff usually uses a gold/cobalt "hard gold" alloy.

se

tool49 · 13th November 2003, 07:14 PM

There is a commercial product named GoldShine that does miracle to these connectors. It is designed to clean fingerprints from rings and earrings.

On a side note, I often used a product called Silvario to thoroughly clean and add a thin coat of conductive silver to the connectors. The only problem with this product is that you need to reapply a coat every time you mess with the connection.

Both products should be available in your local jewelery store.

Hope this help.
Sébastien

Bricolo · 15th November 2003, 08:52 AM

Thanks Steeve!

I tryed the vinegar+salt. It's better now.
The fingerprints aren't totally gone, but it's far better

Steve Eddy · 15th November 2003, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bricolo
Thanks Steeve!

I tryed the vinegar+salt. It's better now.
The fingerprints aren't totally gone, but it's far better

Great! It works well on copper too. I usually use it for cleaning the bottoms of my saucepans.

se

13th November 2003, 06:36 PM	#3
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	It could also be that what you've got is very thin gold flashing, rather than a nice, hard electroplate. __________________ “Listening to records is like ****ing a picture of Brigitte Bardot.” - Sergiu Celibidache

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13th November 2003, 06:37 PM	#4
Bricolo diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Grenoble, FR	thanks for the tip should I put the entire connector in this solution, or simply put a little of it on a coton?

13th November 2003, 06:57 PM	#5
lux0 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Canada	It's probably a cadmium chromate dip....modern fools gold.

13th November 2003, 07:14 PM	#8
tool49 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Montreal	There is a commercial product named GoldShine that does miracle to these connectors. It is designed to clean fingerprints from rings and earrings. On a side note, I often used a product called Silvario to thoroughly clean and add a thin coat of conductive silver to the connectors. The only problem with this product is that you need to reapply a coat every time you mess with the connection. Both products should be available in your local jewelery store. Hope this help. Sébastien

15th November 2003, 08:52 AM	#9
Bricolo diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Grenoble, FR	Thanks Steeve! I tryed the vinegar+salt. It's better now. The fingerprints aren't totally gone, but it's far better

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