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How to Preserve New Shiny Banana Speaker Ends?

I've had the Nordost Blue Heaven speaker cables for more than 5 years now and the banana plugs have lost their shimmering gold finish. I have never cleaned those plugs within these years but just lately bought some Progold cleaners hoping to bring back the glitter but alas...I realized it's too late as oxidation has taken its course. The previously golden plugs now looked a bit black and don't look too good although soundwise is not an issue.

Since I've recently bought a brand new pair of SPM speaker cables, I am hoping to preserve the banana ends to their sparkling gold condition as long as I possibly can. Will cleaning the plugs periodically, say once a month work? I just hate to see them turn black.

Your opinions are much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
ryder

Showing 2 responses by aball

aball
2,016 posts
 
Strange because my MIT cables are 6 years old and have shiny gold on them with no sign of oxidation anywhere. And I haven't seen any other of my cables go black. Besides, it is very tough to oxidize gold - in fact, it has the lowest tendency to react with air to form oxides of any element on earth.

Are you sure that the black isn't actually muck encrusted 'on' the ends rather that 'in' the gold? Maybe rubbing alcohol would remove it (or acetone) although I assume the Progold should have taken care of it. Hmmm...keep us posted.

Arthur
aball
2,016 posts
 
Well, if losing the gold plate bothers you, just get some MIT cables. :)

Arthur
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