Ok guys here's the info we've been missing and if I could figure out this iPad a little better I have a whole bunch more. Read under number 9 about resistive coating.
Is this similar as the white calcium layer that Ravi and others created during conditioning of the tubes?
Essentially turning the tubes into electrolytic capacitors.
TS
Is this the stuff they might have been coated with possibly?
http://www.ceram-kote.com/products/index.htm1.0 Scope This is the general specification covering materials and procedures for the thin-film, CeRam-Kote® Ceramic Epoxy coatings. More detailed, job-specific specifications may be obtained from CeRam-Kote, Inc.
3.1 Steel, Stainless Steel, Titanium, Aluminum Grit blast, with sand, steel, garnet, plastic or other media, etc., all metal material ideally to a NACE-1 (SSPC-SP5, Swedish-Sa 3) White Metal but no less than NACE-2 (SSPC-SP10, Swedish-Sa 2 ½) Near White Metal finish. At all times, an anchor profile should be 2 to 2 ½ mils (50 - 62.5 microns).