Old Hewlett-Packard test connectors – How do I clean severe oxidation and gunk?

Q: (18320)

Hello Mark,

As we discussed, these connectors were manufactured by Hewlett Packard in the early 1970s for helping test a piece of modular test equipment (that is, the modular component would be removed from it’s parent device and attached via one of the two cables that involve these connectors.) I don’t know the nature of the gold finish on the pins, but I’d assume it was appropriate for military/industrial equipment of the era (not a thin plating.)

The connectors were left in a storage box essentially their entire life (and potentially in high temperature or high humidity environment), and in contact/proximity to some kind of flexible plastic foam that was intended to protect the connectors but eventually decomposed. Although I’ve encountered various types of decomposing foam before, I’ve not encountered deposits on gold contact pins (and as these cables/connectors are uncommon, I’m hoping I can restore them to serviceability.)