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Dielectric grease on connection ends

I was changing a coil on one of my bikes earlier, and as always, applied a light film of dielectric grease on the coil outputs, and on the spark plug boots. A thought occurred to me that this may be a valid application in audio connections as well. A small amount applied with a cotton swab to bananas/spades/rca's etc. may help, and I'm thinking about giving it a go. Was wondering if this has been tried by any other members, and thoughts on the pro/con aspects.
128x128crazyeddy
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
You mean like Silclear silver-impregnated grease?

Dave
crazyeddy's avatar
crazyeddy OP
381 posts
 

Thanks guys. Some valid points. Dave, I sure don't want to go through the problems that you had.

I guess I know the answer to my question now, and I'm glad I brought it up before giving it a go. I'll look into the DeoxIT products on line and see what I can find

Thanks once again everybody, and have a great New Year

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
The best contact enhancer of all time was Quicksilver Gold. Unfortunately it’s no longer available as Brian Kyle of Xtreme AV passed a couple years ago. It’s not for amateurs or folks with shakey hands. 😁 I would be remiss if I didn't add that ALL CONTACTS in the house should be cleaned and enhanced including all non audio wall outlets and power cord plug prongs. 
crazyeddy's avatar
crazyeddy OP
381 posts
 

I’m having some difficulty finding DeOxit here in Canada. I did manage to find DeOxit Gold at Amazon.CA but it was over $50 for 1/4 ounce bottle. Yikes!! Is this in line?

Any suggestions. I have tried ordering other products from the US before (liquids) and always have been denied, due to cross-border restrictions on shipping liquids

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,837 posts
 
As a word of warning, the DeOxit in the red spray can is about as much as you want to use when dealing with connectors!

This is especially true of tube sockets!!

What can happen is the material can creep and contaminate connections, with the result of loss of performance (especially at higher frequencies). So its best just to clean the connections and then **leave nothing on them**! If a contact enhancer gets on insulators (like are found in audio connections) its usually not good.

So while a dielectric grease can inhibit connections, contact enhancers can short them out. I've seen people ruin equipment by indiscriminate use; be careful!!
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