I just downloaded and read the datasheet for
Deoxit F5 "Faderlube" that I already have, where it says:
4. Features/Benefits:
Spray, adjustable valve (L-M-H) - Flushing action, Safe on plastics.
DeoxIT® Fader F100L concentrate has approximately 0.0% chemical cleaning action. DeoxIT® Fader is not for metal contacts/connectors, use DeoxIT®, DeoxIT® Gold and DeoxIT® Shield for those surfaces.
Replaces lubrication lost that have been cleaned with solvents or other cleaning solutions. Perfect for OEM’s
Excellent enhancing, excellent protection, No ozone depletion.
Reduces intermittent connections, arcing, RFI, wear and abrasion.
Cleaner Audio - Clearer Video - Reliable Data.
This cleaning business sure is confusing
The switches contain both metal and plastic (see photo).
Here's what it says about the use for Deoxit F5 "Faderlube (or rather "Fader" as I see it says on the can):
3. Product Description:
Precision lubricant for conductive plastics and carbon-based controls (faders, slide potentiometers, conductive membranes - mouse pads and other mechanisms with sliding surfaces). It replenishes lubrication lost on surfaces that have been cleaned with solvents or other cleaning solutions. Use on conductive plastics and other sliding metal-plastic surfaces. Temperature range: -26OC to +150OC.
There doesn't appear to be any lubricant inside the switch mechanism, and to be honest I've never come across any switches/buttons that have any "greasy" feel to it (except the mechanical metal parts of a slide switch or shaft of a potmeter -not the actual electrical contact parts).
Would it be a problem to just clean my switches, pots and rotary encoder with an isopropyl (IPA) based spray (or just clean it with Q-tips dabbed in IPA, then apply Deoxit F5 "Fader" to the carbon tracks of the pots, and leave the other stuff alone? Well, perhaps the rotary encoder needs a dab of Deoxit F5 Fader...
Getting hold of Deoxit D5 appears to be very difficult, expensive and will take time to get here, so I'm looking for a solution where I can use what I already have, or buy something which is readily available here (like the Taerosol products). Just as long as it won't cause damage to the components.