Re-read that 1967 paper...(RF performance of ELECTROPLATED finishes). Back then, electroplating was mainly used, with the main goal of a nice shiny, aesthetic finish.
The cool-amp goop does not result in a nice shiny finish. It comes out with a dull finish, which looks superb to me. Its main function is to reduce resistivity, not increase it. Jim VE7RF On Fri, Jun 26, 2026 at 4:42 AM jim.thom [email protected] < [email protected]> wrote: > Yes, I read the same article several months ago. I'm not buying it. I > have been using the cool-amp goop for > 20 years now, with excellent > results. > I have used it on tubing tank coils, loads of copper straps, and also > items like relay contacts and contactors etc. > After applying the cool amp goop, then rinsing, then drying...... u barely > touch the probes of the HP DVM on there...and it's all 0000's. > And it stays like that after years of use. > > Why do u think telco's and power companies buy it ? It's used where > buss bars overlap and are bolted together. > > BUT the copper to be plated with the cool-amp goop....1st has to be > properly prepped 1st. And that means beyond squeaky clean. Then all > holes are drilled / punched, then the piece is re-cleaned. > Then the cool-amp goop is applied. It's a powder that I buy from them > in 8 oz jars. The correct amount is dumped into a new clean small plastic > container ( 2" diam x 1.5" high)..then just a few drops of water added, > then mixed. > It has to be the right consistency, so it feels...'granular'. Then I get > in there with my bare fingers and apply it, and rub it on really good, > doing the same piece over and over. > > Any excess is applied to the next piece to be done. 1st piece is then > rinsed in warm water, then tamped dry, and thoroughly examined under > strong light from every angle. > > I typ do several pieces all at once, like a mini production line.....at > the SS kitchen sink. The cool-amp goop has an indefinite shelf life. > > What I haven't tried..yet is their 2nd product, called...'conducto lube'. > It's 100% pure silver, ground up. and mixed with I think in castor oil. > It's used on contacts of relays, contactors, and also anything that has > sliding contacts. > Kintronics labs uses it on all their roller inductors, like the actual > coil, and the pulley that rides on the coil..and also the shaft that the > pulley rides on etc. Plus end shafts. And also the sides of edge wound > roller coils. > > I started using the cool-amp goop, simply cuz I hate the look of bare > copper, but that's just me...esp after years of bare copper, and it > tarnishes. BUT if the connections are solid, and that's a big IF..... > the rest of it can tarnish all it wants. > > Also, there is copper, then there is copper. The OFC type (oxygen free > copper) is the purest you can get. OFC is used in welding cables, and > stuff like the plates inside Jenning's vac caps, both glass and ceramic. > OFC is also used on Eimac external anode tubes, then silver-plated. > > Jim VE7RF > > > On Thu, Jun 25, 2026 at 9:31 AM Wes Stewart <[email protected]> wrote: > >> You might want to read this before slapping on the Cool Amp. >> >> >> >> https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/w5u2m0qvuwjs0i3vlwdsf/Plating.pdf?rlkey=n99dlrd2joh5548drtczvtsks&st=7kj0624o&dl=0 >> >> >> While you're there, here are a few snaps of one of the amps I build. >> Except for the plate line shorting blocks, which I had a machine shop do, I >> did all of the other fabrication. Sheet metal, aluminum passivating, >> silver plating, panel engraving, painting, etc. >> >> >> >> >> https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/nz1gvfcquefr7hyv1e2ws/AJ3obiM3S2L3vb2vwxBJ5x0?rlkey=o2hsdpes2rf6rksu5k2lput5l&st=0ddpy7m6&dl=0 >> >> >> >> >> On Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 09:26:35 AM MST, jim.thom jim.thom--- via >> Topband <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Myself, (sic) I silver plate everything with the 'cool-amp' silver >> plating powder. >> >> Jim VE7RF >> _________________ >> >> _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
