Using DeoxIT.......

[BasturdBlaster]

What would be considered the "correct" way to use this stuff? Do I just spray it in the open female jacks or do I spray a 1/4" end and plug it in and out a number of times? I'm going after the loops and the pre out and power in jacks in particular. Is there any benefit to using it in all the jacks such as the input and footswitch jacks, etc. ?

 

[beans-on-toast]

Use it on all metal to metal contacts. This includes tube pins, sockets, all jacks - input, speaker out, effect send and receive, pre out, power amp in, and footswitch. It also cleans and lubricates the inside of pots. Here is where to apply it on a pot: Technical - Amplifier | TalkBass.com. Don't forget to use it on your instrument. Follow the instructions, shake well, use it sparingly.

Some jacks have shunts in them, switches. They need to be opened with a plug so that the contact opens and the product can penetrate. With heavy oxidation, more than one application and scrubbing (I use an inter-dental brush) may be required. Clean up any extra solution that may have gotten where it doesn't need to be. When done, apply a small amount on the contact and don't wipe, it leaves a protective layer.

The product comes in different formats. I prefer the 100% liquid for metal-to-metal contacts as opposed to the spray, it is cleaner and wastes less. Technical - Amplifier | TalkBass.com. For pots use Deoxit D5. It is a spray with mineral spirits for flushing. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Use it on all metal to metal contacts. This includes tube pins, sockets, all jacks - input, speaker out, effect send and receive, pre out, power amp in, and footswitch. It also cleans and lubricates the inside of pots. Here is where to apply it on a pot: Technical - Amplifier | TalkBass.com. Don't forget to use it on your instrument. Follow the instructions, shake well, use it sparingly.

Some jacks have shunts in them, switches. They need to be opened with a plug so that the contact opens and the product can penetrate. With heavy oxidation, more than one application and scrubbing (I use an inter-dental brush) may be required. Clean up any extra solution that may have gotten where it doesn't need to be. When done, apply a small amount on the contact and don't wipe, it leaves a protective layer.

The product comes in different formats. I prefer the 100% liquid as opposed to the spray, it is cleaner and wastes less. Technical - Amplifier | TalkBass.com

I'd do as described here, above, or you can spay it on the plug and give it the old in an out a few times.
I think if you just spray it into jack most of it will get lost. Do so sparingly. Either way run the plug in and out a few times.

 

[Furious_Man77]

The unsophisticated answer for a 1/4" input jack - spray it on a Q-Tip to clean up the ground and inside tip connections.

 

[Passinwind]

What would be considered the "correct" way to use this stuff? Do I just spray it in the open female jacks or do I spray a 1/4" end and plug it in and out a number of times? I'm going after the loops and the pre out and power in jacks in particular. Is there any benefit to using it in all the jacks such as the input and footswitch jacks, etc. ?

The best way I've found is to use a tiny bit of spray on a piece of medium weight paper. Insert the paper between the normalling contacts and work it back and forth several times. A small amount of pressure on the outer normalling contact can help. One of my former bosses had some trick paper for this, can't remember the exact details at 25+ years out, but I think he probably figured it out in conjunction with Caig. Deoxit Gold is better than Red in this application IIRC, check the Caig website to confirm.

 

[Michedelic]

Make sure you have good ventilation when using any of this kind of stuff; I alway have a small fan going, or go outside, weather permitting, also when soldering. Latex gloves wouldn't be a bad idea, either, if you're doing a lot of this.

 

[Doug Parent]

I over used DeoxIT once on a master volume pot and almost rendered it unusable. A little may go a long way. A good person to talk to on this subject is Agedhorse.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Remember those head cleaning cassette tapes that you would run through your machine? A mylar tape with an abrasive compound on it. People used to use the tape to clean jacks. I recall having a ¼" plug that was sold for cleaning jacks. Not such a good idea. It doesn't take much to abrade the plating on a jack.

 

[Munjibunga]

I like to use a nylon .22 caliber bore brush to clean jacks. I just spray a little DeoxIT on the brush, stick it in the jack, give it a twirl and a flourish, withdraw and, voilà - clean jack.

 

[beans-on-toast]

A brush is useful for scrubbing. I use these dental brushes that I buy at a pharmacy. Pipe cleaners also come in handy.

 

[BasturdBlaster]

Thanks everyone for your input! I very much appreciate it!

 

[nashman]

I will also note that on the spray can (mine at least) there is an adjustment (turn left/right) on the spray head to control the amount of product that gets sprayed. I always spray on the male conductor (on lowest spray setting) then do the old in/out several times.

 

[Michedelic]

I will also note that on the spray can (mine at least) there is an adjustment (turn left/right) on the spray head to control the amount of product that gets sprayed. I always spray on the male conductor (on lowest spray setting) then do the old in/out several times.

Just like little Alex?

 

[BurningSkies]

I tend to spray it into a plastic bag then apply over the mouth and nose. No fancy brushes needed.