Capacitor

[octavian]

I was building the power supply last night and I noticed a small dent on the side of one of the 220uf electrolytic capacitors. Should I worry about this and replace it, or should it be okay? The dent is at the seam, in the center and about 2mm or so.

[Grainger49]

I wouldn't worry.  Small is OK, if it looks like a car crash, that is a problem.

[octavian]

Thanks! More like a fender bender. I'll keep an eye on it. I take it that if there's an issue there, I'll get a volume independent buzz and possibly low voltages?

[Grainger49]

I think it would give problems with the voltage measurements if it is bad.  I have had a lot of dented caps, never had a problem.

[octavian]

Thanks Grainger! Here's some photos of the build in progress. Worth noting: rust oleum hammertone applied with a brush does not harden as quickly as the spray stuff, evident on the transformer cover now patterned by the paper towel it was sitting on... I'll have to refinish that once it's fully cured and can be sanded a bit.

[Strikkflypilot]

As long as the bell hasnt gotten paper actually sticking to it I would leave it for two-three weeks.
It tends to stretch out and look great after awhile anyway. Ive used Hammerite spray on my builds and made the error of adding a fresh layer. Since the paint seems to strech when dried, a new layer dissolves the underlying layers which then crack and bulge and Youll have to redo it from scratch completely.

[ALL212]

+1 on that - been there, done that and I wasn't happy being there!   I tried a layer of clear coat (the hammerite felt dry...maybe not all the way?) and it destroyed the paint job. 

Live and learn but it's easy when there's nothing on the plate.  Your situation requires a bit more thought. 

[octavian]

Thanks guys. I was going to give a couple of weeks to cure completely, then I was going to sand down the top of the transformer cover and apply a couple of coats very carefully. Does that sound like a plan that might work? On a related note, amp is done! The sound is amazing. Compared to my previous upgraded Scott lk48, this thing has some seriously better resolution. Still waiting for things to break in before I make any more comments on the sound. That said, I'm seriously happy with it.

[Paul Birkeland]

Thanks guys. I was going to give a couple of weeks to cure completely, then I was going to sand down the top of the transformer cover and apply a couple of coats very carefully.

That's about your best bet.

Another thing you might want to consider is using a piece of cardboard with a rectangle cut out to fit over the cover, then priming and painting it textured black.  This is probably the most reliable coating to do over an existing coating.