Is this Corrosion?

Yes, & no, ….it is indeed a form of corrosion, but clearly it hasn’t eaten anything, …..the plating coatings are reacting to the environment they’re in, …..certainly not life altering, …..use an old toothbrush with a small amount of penetrating oil on it to scrub away that ash, ….which is basically what that white fuzzy stuff is, ….a blow nozzle with light pressure will blow it all away after a light scrub with a toothbrush,……the penetrating oil will soak in, and give a temporary layer of protection, but the biggest factor is where this little gem is being stored,……that needs to change,…..

Pat

@harmonyards,

Is that zinc pest?  If not, what does that exactly look like?  FWIW, I had my collection stored in non-airtight boxes in my not climate controlled Houston garage (high temps, high humidity) for 25+ years and haven't seen anything like that.  I went through every piece I owned a year ago.

Thanks in advance.

In the past I have operated a Frigidaire dehumidifier 24/7/365

until it finally dehumidified its last bit of humidity.  

@texgeekboy posted:

@harmonyards,

Is that zinc pest?  If not, what does that exactly look like?  FWIW, I had my collection stored in non-airtight boxes in my not climate controlled Houston garage (high temps, high humidity) for 25+ years and haven't seen anything like that.  I went through every piece I owned a year ago.

Thanks in advance.

No, it’s not zinc pest, or zinc rot. The parts in question with the white fuzz are stamped parts, not cast …..zinc pest only affects parts cast in zinc, zamac, or pot metal,…

Pat

That looks to me like dust or, possibly, mold. I would remove it using a soft artist's paint brush to apply 91% isopropyl alcohol. Then wipe with a paper towel and relubricate.

MELGAR

Would applying WD40 with an old toothbrush work?

@Seth Thomas posted:

In the past I have operated a Frigidaire dehumidifier 24/7/365

until it finally dehumidified its last bit of humidity.  

Ditto. Same Frigidaire. No corrosion or rust. 30 years in a stone basement.

Could these be the mysterious "tin whiskers" (or zinc whiskers)?

The rods are plated, I think with either tin or zinc -- don't remember which, but whiskering is known in both metals. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whisker_(metallurgy)

Will I was going to say those are cadmium plated, but my experience at work is the military connectors that are cadmium plated don't corrode at all. All the same, if you care going to blow them off, I would do it outside.

https://www.osha.gov/cadmium