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Cleaning AC plugs, receptacles and other contacts

I just remodeled my audio room which included stripping old wallpaper, sanding, painting, Wainscoting, etc., -- you know, the usual MESS!

While I have the room empty, I want to clean the inside of my AC outlet contact points, my AC cord plugs etc.

What have you found to be the best cleaner for this application? I plan to use Caig Pro Gold after I clean them. I thought I remembered a publication recommending some sort sanding or slightly abrasive sheet on AC plugs prior to applying any Caig type treatment but I cannot recall the name. Do any of you use such a thing?

Any opinions on now you clean the electrical contacts (and/or treat them afterwards) or insides of the AC or IEC receptacles or your RCA connections and the products you prefer will be appreciated.

Thanks.

Frank
fmpnd
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ncarv
983 posts
 
Flitz Metal Polish has been recommended for cleaning power cord plugs. Alcohol is good, but use pharmaceutical grade, which is almost 100% pure.
hifitime
715 posts
 
AS cheap as outlets are,replacement would make more sense.I wouldn't spray any cleaners in them.Caig Gold might have little gold particles in it that could cause problems. New quality outlets from your local supply center should carry them.Skip the cheap less than a buck ones.Get commercial or hospital grade.They give better connections and last longer.Make sure whoever is doing it knows what they are
doing.
fmpnd OP
481 posts
 
Thanks guys. I have 4 Wattgate oultets and 4 FIM outlets so I obviously won't be replacing them. I am mainly trying to ensure they are clean after the mess and, if it will help, treat them before I get my system back up and running.

Cleaning the inside contacts of the outlet makes the most sense due to the dust that was flying around the room during the remodel and I might as well clean the PC plugs at the same time.

Frank
honest1
586 posts
 
In that case, the best thing would probalby be to blow them out. If you can get a compressor, hook a blow gun up to it and blast the dust out. I would be hesitant to use any abrasive / polish on the inside contacts, because it will leave its own residue that will be even more difficult to remove. Putting any liquid in there will remove some of the dust, but whatever it leaves behind will probably be stuck more tenaciously than before. I have used an airgun to blow the dust off of a car for autobody work, and it is amazing how much it can remove. If no compressor, maybe a can of clean compressed air?
blindjim
3,092 posts
 
yep. Blow 'em out or suck 'em out.

thereafter, if you want to do it, using some felt covered flat swizel sticks and DeOxit should prove out well. It's tedious work though as you have to keep putting on new cloth over the sticks... pushing them in and out to clean off the oxidation. use just enough to soak the cloth. Let it rest for 15 min. Then slip in & out the new clean dry cloth coverd sticks until they come out without residue on them.

Then... maybe... simpley ProGold or Walker SST the NEMA ends of the power cables. Not the innner contacts of the outlets. Let dry, and plug 'em in.

you'd think someone would have made a NEMA male end cleaner thingy, so you could just plug that into the outlet and withdraw it a few times and that would clean the insides of the outlet by now.

hey... I've got a good idea for a new product! lol. Anyone want to loan me the start up money? Last one to the patent office loses.
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