Contact and other cleaners

[p2pAmps]

Ok Gents,

I want to open a topic about cleaners as I personally need to learn more about when and what to use where.

I have been using Deoxit D5 for most things and some alcohol as well on certain things.  In the vast experience on this forum what should we use where and how?

[eleventeen]

In my experience, DeOxit (screaming expensive) is for really rusty crusty stuff. Your regular Freon-type "contact cleaner" is fine for a touch-up on contacts & pots. 


I also use Windex and rubbing alcohol on surfaces. Try to get the 90% alcohol, lots more expensive than the 70%. *Sometimes* the alcohol can be a bit aggressive

[Paul1453]

DeoxIt has brought back a number of switches and pots from the dead for me.

I also use Isopropyl alcohol to clean my solder joints and Sharpie pen markings off.

Acetone (fingernail polish remover) is used once in a while if alcohol fails to remove marks or gunk.
You need to be careful of sparks/flame/high heat when using Acetone.
It dries very quickly, but can flash flame from a spark.  Even a static spark.
Acetone will take most things off, even paint.
So you don't want it dripping through to the top side of a painted chassis.

Those 3 and basic hot soapy water are my main cleaning agents.

[pompeiisneaks]

I have an additional question.  I had some really gunky pots and used contact cleaner, and they'd sound clean for a bit, until I think it dried out and then I'd have to redo it sometimes 2 times to get it really clean sounding, is that pretty common?

~Phil

[jim]

This is when you need Deoxit D.  I like the pump version--less overspray and waste. Work the control back and forth for about 30 sec. After it sounds good do it again.  It is a real pain to have to drop a chassis just to fix a pot one more time.   Pots do wear out sometimes.  Also check for DC on the pots which is also scratchy--should be zero.
Jim

[pompeiisneaks]

Ok, cool.

As for checking DC, do you just set the mm to dc and connect between two pot points of any kind or between ground and any pot connection?

~Phil

[sluckey]

Here are my electronic cleaning supplies...

Denatured alcohol is used the most. That's what is in the spray bottle. Good for final cleaning of circuit boards. Gets rid of small flux splatters and will even remove recent Sharpie permament pen marks.

Mineral spirits is an excellent degreaser and will also remove gum residue left from most tapes. It does a great job of removing heavy flux. I usually wash my completed component boards with mineral spirits then followup with a denatured alcohol wash.

Flux remover is great on circuit boards. I used a lot of this when I worked for FAA. Easy to use with a small brush to clean up solder repair jobs on PCBs. Adds a professional look to the repair job. However, denatured alcohol and mineral spirits can replace this aerosol can. When this can is empty I will not get another.

Electro clean is a good non conductive electrical cleaner. Fast drying and leaves no residue. Good for pots, switches, and other general cleaning.

DeoxIT D5 is great for pots or switches that need a lubricant film. This is good stuff in those cases. But it's messy. And it will make your electronics look pink. Especially white Mallory 150s. I use it sparingly and only when my general purpose electro clean doesn't quite do the job on a noisy pot or switch.

Not shown is an assortment of 1" brushes and acid brushes, some with bristles trimmed for more aggressive scrubbing action. And of course, cotton swabs for small clean up jobs.

[p2pAmps]

Here are my electronic cleaning supplies...

Denatured alcohol is used the most. That's what is in the spray bottle. Good for final cleaning of circuit boards. Gets rid of small flux splatters and will even remove recent Sharpie permament pen marks.

Mineral spirits is an excellent degreaser and will also remove gum residue left from most tapes. It does a great job of removing heavy flux. I usually wash my completed component boards with mineral spirits then followup with a denatured alcohol wash.

Flux remover is great on circuit boards. I used a lot of this when I worked for FAA. Easy to use with a small brush to clean up solder repair jobs on PCBs. Adds a professional look to the repair job. However, denatured alcohol and mineral spirits can replace this aerosol can. When this can is empty I will not get another.

Electro clean is a good non conductive electrical cleaner. Fast drying and leaves no residue. Good for pots, switches, and other general cleaning.

DeoxIT D5 is great for pots or switches that need a lubricant film. This is good stuff in those cases. But it's messy. And it will make your electronics look pink. Especially white Mallory 150s. I use it sparingly and only when my general purpose electro clean doesn't quite do the job on a noisy pot or switch.

Not shown is an assortment of 1" brushes and acid brushes, some with bristles trimmed for more aggressive scrubbing action. And of course, cotton swabs for small clean up jobs.

Excellent reply Steve as usual, thank you sir

Scaggs