WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner

[Bruce Johnson]

The only spray cleaner you should use on pots is DeOxit Fader F5. It's the only contact cleaner (that I know of) that is specifically made for use on faders/potentiometers.

The other Contact Cleaners are made for cleaning the contacts in relays and switches, which are metal against metal. Inside a pot, it's a metal contact sliding on a cast carbon track. If you use a regular Contact Cleaner in a pot, it will wash the debris off of the carbon track, but it will leave it dry and unlubricated. When you start using the pot again, it will quickly grind away on the carbon, making more debris and crackling. And permanent wear. And it's worse if you do those thousands of cycles too. You'll destroy it.

That's what's special about the DeOxit F5. It's a mild chemical cleaner, combined with a conductive lubricant. It cleans the debris and "oils" the carbon.

It's not a forever fix. In my experience, good quality pots that get heavy use will need a small shot of F5 every 5 years or so.

 

[bipper]

DEox-It is best for me.

 

[bass player 53]

The only spray cleaner you should use on pots is DeOxit Fader F5. It's the only contact cleaner (that I know of) that is specifically made for use on faders/potentiometers.

The other Contact Cleaners are made for cleaning the contacts in relays and switches, which are metal against metal. Inside a pot, it's a metal contact sliding on a cast carbon track. If you use a regular Contact Cleaner in a pot, it will wash the debris off of the carbon track, but it will leave it dry and unlubricated. When you start using the pot again, it will quickly grind away on the carbon, making more debris and crackling. And permanent wear. And it's worse if you do those thousands of cycles too. You'll destroy it.

That's what's special about the DeOxit F5. It's a mild chemical cleaner, combined with a conductive lubricant. It cleans the debris and "oils" the carbon.

It's not a forever fix. In my experience, good quality pots that get heavy use will need a small shot of F5 every 5 years or so.

More discussion:

The False Claim that You Should Only Use Deoxit F5 on Pots

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Just make sure you get DeOxit F5, the one that's specifically made for pots. DeOxit makes other mixes of Contact Cleaners and electronics chemicals, which are not made for pots.

 

[TomB]

Just make sure you get DeOxit F5, the one that's specifically made for pots. DeOxit makes other mixes of Contact Cleaners and electronics chemicals, which are not made for pots.

See link above ^^^, info from DeOxit. …interesting.

 

[Greg Waldon]

Should I use the f4 or the f5. It says the DeOxit F4 is made for faders, switches and pots. Shouldn't I use this instead of the F5?

 

[Bruce Johnson]

See link above ^^^, info from DeOxit. …interesting.

Yes, that article has some good information, particularly about the difference between D5 and F5. I had been going by DeOxit's published info, which recommends F5 for potentiometers.

Quick summary:

Both D5 and F5 have solvents that are made to wash off debris and chemically remove oxidation from metal contacts. F5 has an additional lubricant added to increase the life of conductive plastic track faders and pots.

There are two main types of pots: Carbon Track and Conductive Plastic. In the manufacturer's descriptions, they are usually just called Carbon or Plastic. Most modern audio grade pots are Conductive Plastic, and the F5 should be used on them to keep them lubricated.

Old school Carbon Track pots don't need the lubricant in F5, and can be cleaned with D5. But it's not clear that the lubricant in F5 does any harm to the Carbon Track. It just isn't necessary.

I'm guessing that DeOxit doesn't specifically recommend D5 on pots because they don't want it to be used on Conductive Plastic pots.

 

[bass player 53]

Yes, that article has some good information, particularly about the difference between D5 and F5. I had been going by DeOxit's published info, which recommends F5 for potentiometers.

Quick summary:

Both D5 and F5 have solvents that are made to wash off debris and chemically remove oxidation from metal contacts. F5 has an additional lubricant added to increase the life of conductive plastic track faders and pots.

There are two main types of pots: Carbon Track and Conductive Plastic. In the manufacturer's descriptions, they are usually just called Carbon or Plastic. Most modern audio grade pots are Conductive Plastic, and the F5 should be used on them to keep them lubricated.

Old school Carbon Track pots don't need the lubricant in F5, and can be cleaned with D5. But it's not clear that the lubricant in F5 does any harm to the Carbon Track. It just isn't necessary.

I'm guessing that DeOxit doesn't specifically recommend D5 on pots because they don't want it to be used on Conductive Plastic pots.

I’m a big fan of you and your shop, and I think you’ve given the correct assessment.

 

[iiipopes]

I would not use anything except Deoxit. Too much risk.

THIS ^ Yes, the OP has replied he will get Deoxit instead. But I wanted to post my concurrence with Deoxit. Please NEVER use WD-40. Without a long rant as to why, it will make things worse, not better. And as @agedhorse posted, use the least amount possible to avoid overspray.

 

[sissy kathy]

If you check the information about this product at the manufacturers website there is no mention of using it on potentiometers.

Electrical Contact Cleaner Lubricant | WD-40

WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner is designed to clean sensitive electronics and electrical equipment for optimal performance. The quick-drying formula cleans oil, dirt, flux residue, and condensation without leaving residue behind.

www.wd40.com

Potentiometers fall under the 'and more' catagory.