Rusty Transformer

[Pajo]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge to share about cleaning up a transformer that has started to rust.  I'm working on a TZ.  The top of the transformer has superficial rust and I can see from the side of it that there was some sort of lacquer that originally prevented the rust.  My question is, if I clean off the rust, what sort of lacquer is best to use on the transformer? I don't know how hot they get so it's hard to work out what to use.

[Strangeways]

Is it rust as in the copper color, or corrosion - a white and red color. Ranex needs a bit of rust to "react" and it sounds like it could do the job. With older transformers, I remove them and hit them with a wire brush - removes "everything". Since the plates are already black, I don't paint them. With newer transformers, I'm not so sure - but check out John Wart Jr's CFTBL restore - I'm sure it is covered.

http://aussiepinball.com/index.php?topic=3124.0

[ddstoys]

As nino said hit it with a wire brush i once brushed one with Ranex and it turned a disgusting purple color.  Still worked but looked like crap

[Marty Machine]

When i built transformers back in tech-college, we dipped them in 'Enamel', which was nothing more than CLEAR Enamel paint....

If heat is a concern, maybe there's some high-temperature graded paint, like a Clearcoat Enamel for Car Engines/Hot Rods etc....

MM.

[johnwartjr]

I typically take a wire brush to mine - the variety with brass bristles so it will remove the rust and existing finish, but not harm the actual metal, and then I just repainted it.

It doesn't get that hot even after being on for a couple hours.

If you're concerned, you could get some paint like is used on an engine - those get much hotter than a transformer will ever get!

[Pintoxicated]

Remove any excess rust if you can, as suggested with a wire brush and then spray lightly with CRC.  This will pretty much stop the rsut coming back for a fair while, you don't run the risk of any new paint peeling and especially if the transformer does heat up a little, the CRC will soak into the metal and do a great job.  Quick, cheap and easy.  I've done this on plenty of transformers now and I haven't had any problems since.  It leaves them looking nice and clean and original.

If you don't want to spray CRC around and get it on the cabinet, just wet a rag with the CRC and wipe it on.