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How to tell if electrodes have deteriorated?

Today I checked ignition electrodes and found two small orange color spots on the leads that look like rust. Also there is a thin grey layer on the leads when I compared to the new one. Will this affect its performance? How do I know when I need to change them?
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Comments
I use a dremel type tool with stainless wire wheel brushes and I clean the probes. You can also clean them with wet & dry silicon carbide sandpaper. I do not use emery cloth to clean them. I have pulled probes out that were almost all orange and they cleaned up fine and a check of the current draw showed that they were as good as a new probe.
I buy my brushes from Harbor Freight, item #66129.
There is a way to actually check them with your meter to see if the porcelains are bad.
They basically need replacement when the porcelains are cracked, then ends don't come to a sharp point, or you don't/can't clean the carbon off of them. If they are really bad, I usually just spray them with Kroil, hit them with a brush, wipe them off.
If you are using interrupted ignition, you'll probably never replace them. Some techs up in New England replace them every year. I've probably only replaced maybe 5 sets of electrodes in the last 10 years. I replaced one set on a Riello because I cracked them over tightening them.
But to your original point, it's also important to figure out why they are dirty, i.e, back pressure, lack of combustion air, etc.
Retired HVAC Contractor from So. Jersey Shore.
Cleaned & services first oil heating system at age 16
Specialized in Oil Heat and Hydronics where the competition did Gas Warm Air
If you make an expensive repair and the same problem happens, What will you check next?