cleaning up power transformers..what do you do?

I usually do that treatment to all my Atari power bricks. I remove all the parts, and mask off any labels. I remove any surface rust by light sanding...then paint 2 coats of Metallic gold on the base. I also replace the fuse holder and shoot a coat of metallic silver on the big blue cap bracket. I replace the fuse holders, and the bridge rectifier since I have it apart. Depending on how the transformer looks, I will touch up the black on the iron part of the transformer, and take a scotch brite pad to the copper on the top and bottom, clear coating afterwards. Then I put the whole shebang back together. **NOTE** During disassembling there is 1 wire (I am pretty sure its a yellow one) that I usally have to just cut (I make sure to cut it in such a way as the spice will be on the back side).

Hope this helps....

Josh
 
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Does anyone know if the fuse and other stickers from Atari power bricks have been reproduced? I know taping them off is an option and they aren't really needed so I could just remove them, but they would be a nice touch.

Also, powder coating isn't as costly as you might think, you might want to look into it..
 
They have not been reproduced to my knowledge, hence why I just tape them off....really not too much to it
 
I just cleaned one in my Centipede. I was going to paint it, but it cleaned up pretty good with just a damp cloth.

Before:
IMG_7091.jpg

After:
IMG_7095.jpg
 
i wont wash anything electrical in water...

ive heard of guys doding it and hey if it works for you fine but i wont..

as a mechanic i know copper+ moisture=corrosion..



Now lucky for me im a auto mechanic.. at work we have a 55 gallin drum full of brake cleaner... theres a few different forumlas, ours is basically pure alchol.. so when i have a board i must clean i use that stuff.. works great, cleans well, and dries fast. No need to worry about corrosion later on....


if your going to go to a store and get something id suggest electrical contact cleaner.. but its expensive...


f you wan tot go to the store to get breakcleaner because your cheap like me(lol) you will need` to roll the dice. buy a few cans of brake cleaner untill you fine the one that feels and smells like alchol....thasts the stuff

Theres several forumlations and the non chlorinated non flammable brakecleaner will DESTROY boards and plastic stuff on contact so stay away from it..
 
Wade,
I've looked at your missile command restore a few times, very inspiring!

here's my little revamp on my missile command power brick. I'm pretty content with where it's at...I may look into repainting the black transformer later on. Paint job isn't excellent, but much better than before!




 
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