Electronics > Beginners
What to use for cleaning switches, pots and rotary encoders?
analogix:
For servicing music synthesizers (basically old audio equipment), what should I use in order to clean switches (tactile pushbuttons which can be opened up revealing a round metal "disc" which presses against metal contact), scratchy potmeters and rotary encoders (I suppose you could call it a switch as well).
I'm expecting a lot of replies saying Deoxit (which is not sold her and very expensive to order online because of the shipping restrictions) so I'm looking for alternatives -or better yet: what kind of chemical should it contain?
I have however been lucky to get hold of a can of Deoxit F5 "Faderlube" which I believe is what i should use on faders and pots. Should I clean them with isopropy alcohol first, then apply Deoxit F5?
How about switches that don't work reliably (due to dirt and oxydization I suppose)? Many people point towards Deoxit D5, but I've found another contact cleaner which I think might work: it contains naphtha. Is that what removes corrosion, oxydization etc?
Can I use Deoxit F5 "Faderlube" on switches/rotary encoders, or is it only faders/pots that should be lubricated?
orbiter:
I've used Servisol Super 10 for years and have had good results with it.
danadak:
Caig DeOxit -
http://caig.com/
Regards, Dana.
alm:
In Europe you should be able to get Cramolin Contaclean, which I believe is very similar to Caig Deoxit D5. The advantage over IPA is that it provides lubrication in addition to cleaning. This is especially important for switches with a thin layer of gold plating. Just removing all lubrication and operating the switch a dozen times to clean it may already damage those contacts.
As for using Faderlube for switches, I imagine it might work, but it would provide no cleaning action (so not suitable for corroded contacts, only for contacts that were already cleaned or brand new). Caig specifies Faderlube as not being for metal on metal contacts, so it might be suboptimal in some way (not inhibit corrosion or not last as long).
ollihd:
I use Taerosol Kontakt PRF 6-68 for the same exact purpose. Works like a charm. You can probably get it in Norway also.
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