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Hi Guys,

Does anyone know what the plating is on the Douglas electrical connectors?? I bought a lot of Douglas connector parts and want to clean up the shells. Any good ideas on how to clean the white oxidation? I've got some soaking in vinegar right now as a test.

thanks,
bob

I read somewhere that it's cadmium.

it looks like a zinc chromate finish to me due to the 'white rust' you see. The vinegar soak should work pretty well to remove it, but they'll never be shiny again

could also be cadmium which also corrodes in similar fashion

if cadmium, that oxide is some nasty toxic stuff, use gloves

Military is still using Cadmium plating, but rest of industry isn't...

Or buy new ones and bag the old marked as toxic waste

Hi Guys,

The connectors are plated with Cadmium...definitely. Zinc Chromate is a thicker, duller color that scratches easier. The wire clips on the taillight brackets are Zinc Chromate for comparison.

I also found out that vinegar removes Cadmium plating if you let the connectors sit in it too long. Now they just look like chrome. Oooops!!

thanks again,
bob