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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
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,826 posts
 
I have used denatured alcohol on cotton swabs to clean the blades of AC plugs. The one thing I would encourage you most strongly to do is turn off the circuit breaker to the stereo outlets, unscrew the wire from their outlet screws and take very fine steel wool and buff the copper wire where it screws into the outlet shiny. Remove all of the copper oxide so when you reconnect the wires to the outlet, you are getting the highest quality of electric flow to the outlets.
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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?
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