• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Removing coating from NOS tubes.

TTomanto123

TTomanto123

Member
This may be off-audio, but I hope you valve-types will know how to handle this...I have a couple nixie tube clocks to assemble, and the nixie numeric tubes I bought have the orginal amber high-contrast coating on them. I have found one reference online that suggests removing this requires only hot water. I'm betting someone here has experience with this, and I've been very impressed with all the helpful folks hanging around here. If someone could offer some detail, I'll get crackin on this. Thanks.
 
Register to hide this ad
Tubes cleaned up easily. I'm guessing everyone but me knew that. Anyway, for the record, I held the tube by the leads in a papercup full of warm soapy water for a few minutes, then lightly scrubbed the amber coating with a scotch brite pad. Took a minute, but the coating soon sloughed off in good-sized chips. i was careful not to submerge the tube up to where the leads enter the glass. Dried it carefully and it seems fine.

(crickets)
 
Glad that worked out for you. I've not dealt with the red coating on nixies. Wonder what it is that it comes off with warm water.

Anyway just FYI, getting the pins wet isn't a problem. There's no way for water to get inside the tubes and the pins aren't going to rust or anything. Just make sure they are good and dry before using them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom