What is the best spray for contact switches - like band pushbuttons and wafer switches - DeoxIT, LPS, etc.??? Also, what seems to work best as a pot cleaner and lube - I've used a variety of products in the past and none seem to stand out. Any strong opinions out there?

What I have used to clean switches is 100% denatured alcohol NOT rubbing alcohol...it has water in it...Can buy this stuff fairly cheap by the can at Menards..or other in the paint section....It cleans and drys out quickly

:What is the best spray for contact switches - like band pushbuttons and wafer switches - DeoxIT, LPS, etc.??? Also, what seems to work best as a pot cleaner and lube - I've used a variety of products in the past and none seem to stand out. Any strong opinions out there?

Di-electric grease helps on contacts that don't arc too much. It will keep them clean.

For exposed contacts, such as on a rotary switch, Brasso on a Q-tip or piece of stiff card stock can help polish off black corrosion.

I very much like di-electric grease on potentiometer carbon elements (volume control, tone control, etc.). Its corrective action is long lasting, and doesn't foul things up like WD-40, which sprays all over everything, and is especially susceptable to leakage paths in volume controls and similar controls, because bits of carbon get into the film eventually.

T.

Bill,
For contacts, I use the "Silver Dipping solution for silverware and jewelry, available at most grocery or drug stores. A clean Q-Tip or thin card stock wrapped in soft cloth can be dipped in the solution, and applied directly to the contact(s). Distilled or deionized water with the same tools is used to wipe the cleaned area of residual cleaning agent. For pots I use a quick soak in denatured alcohol, and pressurized air. I found that even the alcohol will remove some of the element"s carbon deposit if vigorous wiping is used. The dielectric (silicon) grease is a good lubricant, but really requires dissassembly for good application, otherwise high quality sprays are available. Some older sets have graphite elements vs carbon, which are very difficult to clean, and in most cases, impossible to repair. I was successful in creating an entire new element with powdered graphite from the hardware store, but this task is not for the faint of heart.

marv

:What is the best spray for contact switches - like band pushbuttons and wafer switches - DeoxIT, LPS, etc.??? Also, what seems to work best as a pot cleaner and lube - I've used a variety of products in the past and none seem to stand out. Any strong opinions out there?

Bill,
For those pots a drop of penetrating oil on the shaft front will free them up and lube same time. Auto parts stores sell contact cleaner which works very well on the pot contact surfaces. It's cheaper too. If pot contacts still problem after contact spray, stuff paper towel around pot, give them a drop of penetrating oil, work the shaft, let set a bit,dry with air. If still a problem...replace.

Bill VA

Bill VA

:Bill,
:For contacts, I use the "Silver Dipping solution for silverware and jewelry, available at most grocery or drug stores. A clean Q-Tip or thin card stock wrapped in soft cloth can be dipped in the solution, and applied directly to the contact(s). Distilled or deionized water with the same tools is used to wipe the cleaned area of residual cleaning agent. For pots I use a quick soak in denatured alcohol, and pressurized air. I found that even the alcohol will remove some of the element"s carbon deposit if vigorous wiping is used. The dielectric (silicon) grease is a good lubricant, but really requires dissassembly for good application, otherwise high quality sprays are available. Some older sets have graphite elements vs carbon, which are very difficult to clean, and in most cases, impossible to repair. I was successful in creating an entire new element with powdered graphite from the hardware store, but this task is not for the faint of heart.
:
:marv
:
::What is the best spray for contact switches - like band pushbuttons and wafer switches - DeoxIT, LPS, etc.??? Also, what seems to work best as a pot cleaner and lube - I've used a variety of products in the past and none seem to stand out. Any strong opinions out there?

:Bill,
:For contacts, I use the "Silver Dipping solution for silverware and jewelry, available at most grocery or drug stores. A clean Q-Tip or thin card stock wrapped in soft cloth can be dipped in the solution, and applied directly to the contact(s). Distilled or deionized water with the same tools is used to wipe the cleaned area of residual cleaning agent. For pots I use a quick soak in denatured alcohol, and pressurized air. I found that even the alcohol will remove some of the element"s carbon deposit if vigorous wiping is used. The dielectric (silicon) grease is a good lubricant, but really requires dissassembly for good application, otherwise high quality sprays are available. Some older sets have graphite elements vs carbon, which are very difficult to clean, and in most cases, impossible to repair. I was successful in creating an entire new element with powdered graphite from the hardware store, but this task is not for the faint of heart.
:
:marv
:
::What is the best spray for contact switches - like band pushbuttons and wafer switches - DeoxIT, LPS, etc.??? Also, what seems to work best as a pot cleaner and lube - I've used a variety of products in the past and none seem to stand out. Any strong opinions out there?

Hi, I was in the electronic service business for 28 years and used Caig
DeoxIT D5 for many of those years without any problems. For switches and pots, a couple of squirts a few rotations and fixed. I have a new can labeled GC DE-OX-ID and it appears to contain the same chemicals. The nice thing about the chemicals is that any over spray does not damage other parts.
Wm.

Thanks William - I had planned on getting DeoxIT but will have to order it since I can't find it locally. I did contact Caig since, like you, I found "Deoxid" at a local supply house - unfortunately, they seemed to indicate that it was a low quality knock-off of their product. Let me know if it works as well...