Plaster in HDMI Cable

Campsie · 1 Nov 2011

Hi

I am in the process of completing the build of an extension into which I am putting a home cinema. I got all my cabling nicely behind my walls all ready to go, but my plasterer has managed to slop plaster over the HDMI cable (which was taped up but it came off) and it has got inside the pinouts.

I could literally cry.

It has been suggested by the cable supplier that it may be possible to dissolve the plaster, perhaps using baking soda in water?

I really need some help to clear the plaster out - the holes are quite tiny so picking the plaster out will be tricky - obviously any attempt to dissolve the plaster has to avoid corroding the metal inside.

Can anyone help??!!

Cheers.

seco services · 1 Nov 2011

Can't you clean the holes with a sewing needle ?

Campsie · 1 Nov 2011

Dunno mate, too scared to touch it just now til I know what options I have - if I only have one shot at fixing it I want it to be a good one!

Seriously - is that a solution based on experience or just a suggestion? I'm worried about damaging it inside so when the supplier suggested dissolving the plaster I thought it sounded a decent idea if it is possible.

Micilin · 1 Nov 2011

Water alone will dissolve plaster.

I don't know how to speed this up (ie so it is broken down before possible corrosion of pins)

Air to clean it out after the plaster is softened?

A small make up/paint brush?

Would you then spray with WD40 to repel water, stop corrosion?

Not answers just hoping to spark ideas.

stevethespreader · 1 Nov 2011

i wouldent stick any liquids in it if i could help it i would use a small needle,a tooth brush and a can of air duster from maplins which will give you a high pressure jet of air http://www.maplin.co.uk/air-duster-25351

joe-90 · 1 Nov 2011

Try to dislodge it with a brush and then vacuum it out.

Campsie · 1 Nov 2011

Thanks folks, a few ideas there to think about, keep them coming!

Think I'll try a gentle poke with as small a needle as I can get - the more I can get out without having to soak it the better methinks - a skoosh with the air can and a sooking with the hoover and hopefully all will be well again.....

Cheers

Campsie · 3 Nov 2011

Just to say thanks to all - I let the plaster dry right out then managed to pick it out with a small sewing needle and gave it a good old blast with that air duster thing, just about gave my fingers frostbite though!!

Hooked up the projector last night and all seems to be fine - just need to connect up the speakers to the amp to check sound is ok, but looks like disaster avoided

You can all sleep easier now I am sure

stevethespreader · 4 Nov 2011

Campsie said:
Just to say thanks to all - I let the plaster dry right out then managed to pick it out with a small sewing needle and gave it a good old blast with that air duster thing, just about gave my fingers frostbite though!!

Hooked up the projector last night and all seems to be fine - just need to connect up the speakers to the amp to check sound is ok, but looks like disaster avoided

You can all sleep easier now I am sure

good lets hope the sound is ok also

peaps · 4 Nov 2011

Get a new cable.

Micilin · 4 Nov 2011

peaps said:
Get a new cable.

Sorry to OP but can't resist this one.

'Get a new cable' now that he has said it's sorted and seems to be working okay after a careful clean out ????????

Got to say you are consistent Peaps - this fits in with your 'get a new ceiling ' approach

Micilin · 4 Nov 2011

Campsie said:
You can all sleep easier now I am sure

Unlike your neighbours......................

Glad it is sorted.

peaps · 4 Nov 2011

Micilin said:
peaps said:

Get a new cable.

Click to expand...

Sorry to OP but can't resist this one.

'Get a new cable' now that he has said it's sorted and seems to be working okay after a careful clean out ????????

Got to say you are consistent Peaps - this fits in with your 'get a new ceiling ' approach

Quality of connection may be reduced...

In my experience with electronics HDMI cable connectors (and other for that matter) become problematic after dirt/dust ect get's in, it also compromises the quality etc.

But hey let's just soak it in water shall we?

Campsie · 11 Nov 2011

Got the speakers hooked up and lets just say the neighbours WONT be getting any sleep for the foreseeable future right enough!!

Peaps - that was my concern re quality and I would have bought a new cable but for the fact I had run 13m of HDMI through my walls so it wouldn't be seen and the upheaval to raggle the walls out to put in a new one wasn't really worth the effort as a first solution - perhaps it will degrade in time, I'll cross that bridge as and when, but for now I won't see the light of day again until I have exhausted Lovefilm's entire back catalogue!

Thanks to all for the advice.

zbed · 13 Nov 2011

If it does end up degrading later on, this guy found a place that did new HDMI plugs you can re-solder on if you strip the cable back a biy (he posts the solution at the end of his first post)

http://www.avforums.com/forums/hdmi...-cable-line-repair-connector-replacement.html

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Plaster in HDMI Cable

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