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No deoxit, but cramolin contaclean, cramolin protection and cramolin spraywash
Posted by tatel on 17 May, 2023 10:26 -
I searched the forum looking for some recommended contact cleaner. It seems that most people thinks deoxit works fine; even the metrology guys seem to think so. Then I looked for the original cramolin; found it on RS. I got surprised because, after what was said about quantities and price for deoxit, cramolin products seem to be quite cheaper: about €15 for a spray can 400 mililiters
I also looked for stabilant; didn't found it as a Volkswagen product but I actually did found it somewhere; I don't recall where but for sure had to let it go, because I was very busy looking for my balls that had just drop. Something like €118 for a thimble.
So I ordered that contaclean which seems to be the red thing and protection that seems to be the blue thing. After checking out I realized that they recommend a third magic potion called spraywash, which would clean the contaclean before applying the protection. But it seemed to me that they were already milking the cow too much and I decided to skip the hogwash. Instead I got a jug of IPA somewhere else.
The idea is to use contaclean when necessary, then apply IPA liberally and finally protection. What do you think? -
Looking at the respective SDSs, it turns out that contaclean and protection look very much the same; actually it's spraywash who has more components.
I really wonder if it's worth applying anything more than contaclean. That would be just applying deoxit d5.
Contaclean:
1-Hydrocarbons, C6, isoalkanes, <5% n-hexane 40-60 %
2-propan-2-ol; isopropyl alcohol; isopropanol 20-40 %
3-Carbondioxide <5%
Protection:
1-Hydrocarbons, C6, isoalkanes, <5% n-hexane 30-60%
2-propan-2-ol; isopropyl alcohol; isopropanol 25-50%
3-Carbondioxide 2,5-10%
Spraywash:
1-Hydrocarbons, C6, isoalkanes, <5% n-hexane <0,1% Benzol 25-50%
2-propan-2-ol; alcohol isopropílico; isopropanol 25-50 %
3-Hyrdrocarbons, C9-C11, n-alkane, isoalkane, cyclic, <2% aromatic 10-25%
4-1-Methoxy-2-propanol 10-25 %
5-Carbondioxide 2,5-10 %
6-butanona; etil-metil-cetona 2,5-10 %
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Oleic acid
Key ingredient
mixture of somewhat-purified oleic acid, with solvents which are alcohols (a family name of a group of organic chemical compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen) and few propellants (propane and/or carbondioxide)
it's a dark, reddish-yellow or brownish-red oil, if able being refined, purified it's colorless
Imho above just solvents functional compounds
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Yeah, I guess SDS lists dangerous chemicals only. Maybe there are more differences, but from contaclean "user manual" one wouldn't say there's any need to use any other product afterwards.
Perhaps the old gurus know better. I recall some comentaries, perhaps two or three all along the different threads, about contact cleaner wrecking things after some time. Like leaving some gooey. I'm hoping that using contaclean, then IPA to rinse contaclean, and finally that protection spray, will work with no problem whatsoever. -
The story I heard was that Cramolin originated in Europe and was sold the USA by Caig Labs. I heard it was quite effective and recommended, but eventually the Cramolin deal in the USA was gone and Caig came up with their own formula, DeOxit. I am not surprised if the DeOxit products are more expensive in EU; I don't think we can even get the Cramolin products in the USA now.
IMO, only some problems are helped by either cleaner, and often a parts replacement is the best solution. I consider contacts a different problem than potentiometers. In either case, the question is whether the cleaners or alcohols will damage any plastics or resistive elements. I personally just let Deoxit dry and wipe up any excess. -
Anyone else remember when Cramolin Tweak and Caig Deoxit were mainstays of the 1980s Hifi mags.
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IMO, only some problems are helped by either cleaner, and often a parts replacement is the best solution. I consider contacts a different problem than potentiometers. In either case, the question is whether the cleaners or alcohols will damage any plastics or resistive elements. I personally just let Deoxit dry and wipe up any excess.
Well I got an old Hameg HM303-3 whose knobs and buttons make all kinds of noise on screen when i wiggle them. Parts replacement isn't really an option. I'm hoping this thing helps.
After the datasheets, neither plastics nor components will be harmed in the making of this movie. We will see -
Anyone else remember when Cramolin Tweak and Caig Deoxit were mainstays of the 1980s Hifi mags.
I recall Tweek being sold by Sumiko in the USA. It was Stabilant 22 IIRC.
Cramolin or Deoxit is usually fine with pots and switches. Sometimes it washes out the lube, which sometimes actually helps if the lube was bad. Sometimes the cleaner effect does not last, which I think is a sign that replacement is what was needed. Note that Caig usually says to use their Faderlube product on pots, but I’ve used both and either usually helps. Make sure you get the cleaner into the pot, and that it is not sealed. -
Some advice from experience: don't order from RS. Perhaps it could be viable if you are on UK. I ordered it on May, 8th. Still waiting for it. I did my fifth call to customer line some minutes ago.
Situation: "This product isn't in stock in continental Europe, it has to come from the UK", "It can't be sent by air, it has to be sent by ground" and "I'm ordering it from the UK right now"
After making clear that I don't care where it comes from, I asked why I did get an email from RS warning of a delay in the delivery an stating that the new delivery date is June, 16th (today). Answer is "Very sorry about it"
Problem seems to be contaclean. Since ingredients in contaclean and protection are the same (from SDS) I somehow doubt that history about air mail being true. Well, anyway I don't care it that's true. What I can't understand is how RS operates. I can swear this is second time they are "sending it" from the UK.
It seems to me that RS is developing schizophrenia big way. Alas the other half of the order seems to be on the way (finally), so cancelling the order now doesn't seem the way to go.
But if I ever need to order it again, I will getting it from Conrad. -
Since I was placing an order on Conrad BTW I purchased also the spraywash. What can I say. Order arrived in a week, not the six weeks it took for RS to deliver. No calls to customer service, not cancelled orders... just good service.
Now for the matter: I sprayed a little each on some copper claded boards. After 24 hours this is how they look. Spraywash just evaporated in a couple minutes leaving almost no residue. Contaclean and protection doesn't evaporate, or evaporate just partially (and very little). Contaclean sits flat over the board; protection looks thicker and does look like orange peel. I tried to do my best for that texture to be visible but I fear the dust I'm collected through my open windows is the most visible thing in these pictures.
Effectively contaclean has a slight red hue and protection has a slight blue hue. However you need to spray it on some withe paper to appreciate it.