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Oxidation, how to prevent?

I will soon move to a hot and humid area.

Can afford to run AC all day long not to mention it's not green, like your expert opinions how to prevent it?

Some of my equipments have shinny chrome faces, can I use car wax on them to prevent oxidation? What about RCA or XLR jacks? I don't think I want to use wax there since it will degrade sound, what other options do I have? I can put covers on the unused plugs, but it's not air tight and will still degrade over time.

I often read cartridge suspensions will dry up over time especially in hot weather, does humidity helps or is it worse? Will I be better off storing unused cartridges in humidity & temp control vault?
semi
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,714 posts
 
Hot and cold don't cause chrome plated surfaces to oxidize. In fact, they don't oxidize. Silver, brass and copper oxidize. What you may be thinking about is the metal underneath the chrome plating, like steel. Lingering moisture on the surface over a period of time can cause rust spots. I think that you are worrying too much.
I can't comment on the cartridge issue.
ghstudio
141 posts
 
Let me introduce you to Caig Deoxit which I've used for years in my sound studio and with my sound gear:

http://www.caig.com/

Clean all of your contacts as often as needed....or at least once a year.

I wouldn't worry too much about the external cases of equipment. Internally, you can get some corrosion on relays, coil wound pots and such....which you really can't control unless you condition the air.
audiolui
294 posts
 
Yes, use Caig Dexoit to clean the RCA and XLR connectors first and then apply Dexoit Gold to protect it. It made a great improvement on my system. It was nasty to see the cotton swab turned black after you cleaned the connectors.
hifitime
715 posts
 
I've used car wax years back with good results.Use one with the least amount of cleaner.That part is abrasive and might leave a haze,plus be careful with silk screening.I don't know the modern brands.Also,fingerprints!If you look at 60's chrome gear,you will see everyone's fingerprints etched in them.Don't over do the Deoxit.
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