Cleaner for volume control


My rotary volume control on my preamp is sometimes making a static like noise.
What is the ideal (spray) lube for me to try?
Thanks.
psacanli
Eldartford, WD-40 can dissolve some plastics (see the label), and can also dissolve the carbon resistive elements on some potentiometers, I've seen it personally. It's not as harsh as some other stuff that people try, and you might try it if you don't care too much about the given piece of gear, but definately NOT a safe general recommendation.

The "industry standard" for decades was Cramolin R-5, which is now sold as Caig D-5 DeOxit . . . the only difference is that the latter is HCFC-free. It works very well, but I recommend using the SMALLEST necessary dose, applied directly to the resistive element(s) and wipers. This usually means partial disassembly of the equipment, and spraying through the openings in the back of the potentiometer. The included little red straw is a must . . . you can even put a little bend in the end by heating it slightly, and blowing through it while bending.

I recommend using ONLY enough of the product to de-oxidize the contacts, and NOT to dissolve the lubricants used inside the potentiometer during manufacture. This means a tiny, tiny, little squirt! Or alternatively, DeOxit is available in a 100% solution in a squeeze-dropper bottle, where literally a single tiny drop is enough. The "flush, clean, and re-lubricate" process is usually only necessary in extreme cases (i.e. sliders on a mixer that lives in a smokey bar and has had a beer spilled on it).
Google "wd 40 contact cleaner" and you will find a lot of reasons NOT to use it. I'm not saying they are all valid but if even one of them is it shouldn't be used. I say get some good contact cleaner, why take the chance?

Among the reasons I found:

WD-40 will conduct electricity

WD40 is nothing but a degreaser, does not remove grime and such

WD-40 is a bad idea on contacts that might spark. The residue is flammable

WD-40 leaves a sticky residue that can attract dust.

Initially, you will find the crackly noise vanishes, but the oil then attracts dust, and starts to thicken up. You can't clean it out, it also sprays everywhere making the inside of the device a real mess.

WD 40 will attack some plastics


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Kirkus, thanks for the benefit of your experience. I'll follow your lead on pot cleaning.
Caig Deoxit worked wonderfully on the volume contols of my venerable MFA Luminescence Pre-amp and the tube bias switches on my MFA mono amps. They've been out of service for a number of years. Volume controls were noisy. Amp power tube biasing was impossible due to poor contact.

Judicious application of Caig did the trick.

I also "worked" the knobs and switches repeatedly which helped the Caig do its job.

And, finally, I treated the tube pins and sockets with Deoxit Gold after Deoxit.

Highly recommended.