Cleaning carbon of VTC5's?

[wrxtreme]

I noticed that 2 of my VTC5's started to pick up some black marks on the negative contacts of the batteries. I believe it is carbon so I tried using isopropyl alcohol but not all of it is coming off. Is it safe to sand down the batteries?

It was also found on the firing pin on my bottom button, however, I was able to get the gunk completely off with some 2000 grit sandpaper and some ispropyl. If anyone has any insight on this, please let me know.

 

[Ryedan]

Mechanical switches always cause a spark between the closing contact surfaces. You can't see it in a tube mod because you can only fire it assembled. I can take the door off my Reo Grand and watch it happen every time I hit the button. The more power you draw from the battery the bigger the spark.

IMO it actually causes spark erosion, meaning tiny (really tiny) pits are melted into the contact surfaces. I have used 1000 sandpaper very gently to just take the roughness off the top of the surfaces occasionally, like every 4-6 months. I'm a machinist and have done metal polishing so I know how to avoid overdoing it. IMO, if you have any doubt about this process, leave it until you notice some performance drop. My bet is it will take a really long time for that to happen.

 

[wrxtreme]

Mechanical switches always cause a spark between the closing contact surfaces. You can't see it in a tube mod because you can only fire it assembled. I can take the door off my Reo Grand and watch it happen every time I hit the button. The more power you draw from the battery the bigger the spark.

IMO it actually causes spark erosion, meaning tiny (really tiny) pits are melted into the contact surfaces. I have used 1000 sandpaper very gently to just take the roughness off the top of the surfaces occasionally, like every 4-6 months. I'm a machinist and have done metal polishing so I know how to avoid overdoing it. IMO, if you have any doubt about this process, leave it until you notice some performance drop. My bet is it will take a really long time for that to happen.

Interesting read. Thank you for the info!

 

[OthatGuy]

Yes u hit mine with a wire wheel on a Dremel when they get dirty. no problem , you kraft don't want to dent or press it in , sanding is fine. Keep em clean.

 

[sando7]

i just hit mine (all contact areas) with a pencil eraser whenever i clean them then ISO wash, build-up don't happen here.