Audio potentiometer cleaner Sep 24, 2008 · If the potentiometer is not sealed, blow out any dust with compressed air, then use a chemical cleaning product designed for potentiometers. D5 is for cleaning, and Faderlube is for lubricating the resistance element/contact. and no cleaner fluid shifts it, scrape and re polish contacts. Over time, several factors can contribute to a How to clean a potentiometer properly First I want to preface this by saying there are a few reasons that a pot can sound scratchy. If you need to use more then 1-2 sprays, a replacement board may be required. How to Clean the Controls on Your Amplifier: 10 Steps (with Pictures) Is that crackling and popping when you turn the controls on your amp driving you crazy? Here's how to clean them and get back to the music. You have been warned! Aug 30, 2023 · One often overlooked aspect of guitar maintenance is cleaning the electronics and potentiometers. Oct 6, 2021 · After cleaning a pot with Caig cleaner, I used to use Caig Fader Lube, but I've been using this the last few years with good effects. ) Jan 7, 2004 · The best way to clean the pots is to remove the cover of the component to be able to access the body of the control directly. Primarily I’m trying to clean out the pots of a vintage mobile CB for my wife. May 16, 2005 · You need to get access to the inner working of that volume pot. In general, there are 3 ways of cleaning potentiometers. Searching online I found myself on a few audio/music forums and reddit threads and it sounds like their recommendation is a spray called “Deoxit” it seems there may be a few different versions of this and price ranges a bit. Amazon. You turn the volume knob on your guitar and all you hear is a scratchy sound coming back through your amplifier. In the video I am fixing computer speakers, but it's just the same to fix Mar 14, 2019 · Has any one tried and/or recommend using an ultrasonic cleaning to deep clean pots and or switches? The problem i have with using traditional cleaning sprays such as DeOxit, Electrical Contact cleaners, alcohol, etc is that they tend to work or but do not really get all the gunk out and lots of Jul 11, 2015 · to clean the pots on my Lab 400 turntable. Just do it youself and save money. Apr 11, 2017 · Repair re-cap Hallicrafters S-40A tube shortwave Ham receiver DeoxIT D5 Instructional Video #1 “Cleaning the Pots” Care & Cleaning Of Vacuum Tube Audio Amplifiers & Amateur Radio Equipment Variac Repair Using DeoxIT Akai 4000 Reel to Reel Repair DeoxIT® D100 Contact Cleaner On 30-yr Old Stereo Receiver Apr 5, 2018 · Akai 4000 Reel to Reel Repair DeoxIT® D100 Contact Cleaner On 30-yr Old Stereo Receiver Cleaning A Receiver With DeoxIT | Perfect For Turntables! How to Clean a Potentiometer Switch with DeoxIT® D5 Nov 6, 2018 · I'm using CRC 2-26 for my Alps motorised volume potentiometer and CRC QD contact cleaner for other parts such as switches, RCA sockets etc. Sep 16, 2002 · Product Description Hosa F5SH6 CAIG DeoxIT Fader Lube Contact Cleaner Spray is specifically designed for use on conductive plastic and carbon compounds. Thanks, [Grant Freese], for the tip! Jan 26, 2020 · Objectives: A) Clean volume, bass and treble pots to remove any oxidation induced static noises B) Ensure these pots have a smooth and fluid feel when turned. It's a little heavier than machine oil, has tenacity to remain in the pot and not flow out and I have noticed no dropouts or rough spots in any of my pots with this stuff. Oct 28, 2016 · The volume pot in my Yamaha started to get a bit scratchy sounding so I decided to spray a bit of contact cleaner in it *Servisol 10* and after giving it a quick spray one blast for less than a second I started twisting it and noticed it started to feel weird and then started feeling like IMPORTANT: use Fader F5 to clean carbon potentiometers, not D5 or D100!! See this video from XRayTonyB: • How to Clean & Resurrect an Embalmed Poten Support the channel with these Amazon Potentiometer cleaning caps for use with aerosol cleaners such as DeoxIT. Some issues are relatively simple to fix, while others may require more technical expertise. Step 3: Repeat step 2 to clean out any bound-on dirt that may have been loosened by the first application. Any recommendations? Any to avoid? How to Clean the Potentiometers on Your Audio Equipment If you have a dirty potentiometer, you probably will find out about it from the scratchy sounds your equipment will make when you adjust the volume control. How to Clean & Resurrect an Embalmed Potentiometer (With Bonus Rant) Don't Throw Away Old Spray Paint Cans! Great Idea That Few People Know Why Spraying DeoxIT is a BAD Idea (Do This Instead!) Nov 17, 2016 · Many of the well known products from deoxit and others are great at cleaning out pots, but we also know you need to relubricate the shaft and tracks if you want to have that silky smooth feeling with nice turning resistance. Jun 27, 2023 · Conclusion: Cleaning the volume pots on your stereo amplifier can help restore optimal audio performance and eliminate issues such as crackling sounds or volume inconsistencies. May 18, 2023 · While often times necessary to rejunvenate older equipment, some of these products ruin the nice, slow resistance feel of certain types of pots (mostly electrical contact cleaner, not so much DeOxit, but the best "cleaning" usually starts with electrical contact cleaner as a flush, followed by DeOxit). This method helps restore smooth operation and eliminate static or crackling sounds. Jul 2, 2019 · Best cleaner is use , I always sweep the pot back and forth a few dozens of times to see if it clears the micro spider poop on the carbon track , I second C'j's 'hard as nuts' crust on pot wipers ,that crap needs to be scraped off, Ive seen it measure Megohms . It plainly states that the product is for use on metallic surfaces only. --Link to the e Feb 21, 2019 · ATTENTION: Read the following posts in this thread before proceeding to use this method for cleaning a potentiometer. The general rule of thumb I follow is: CRC 2-26 (cleaner + lubricant) for the potentiometer (moving parts) CRC QD contact cleaner (quick drying cleaner) for non-moving parts. xraytonyb has a good video on resurrecting and cleaning carbon track potentiometers. I am only interested in sprays specific and safe for pots. One cause of scratchy Aug 1, 2017 · Hi, all! What are your favorite sprays for cleaning switches and potentiometers on old amplifiers? As always, any input is greatly appreciated. Follow our step-by-step guide for easy cleaning and maintenance. (TV mechanical tuner and switch cleaners may also work. It helped, but now the pots move back and forth freely Sep 28, 2021 · I really hate when this happens. Remove the cover and (hopefully) you can find a small hole at the rear of the pot to spray the De-Oxit into. This can also happen with your amplifier. Some circuits are just poor designs that have DC on the wiper by design; others it's a leaky coupling cap causing DC on the wiper. Is there a good and cheap way to clean the bass, treble, balance and volume potentiometers of my stereo amp? All I currently have is an IPA spray can. In this article, we will discuss how to clean a potentiometer using common household items. Pots usually have a small slot or hole in them associated with the connection terminals. Clean up any excess contact cleaner once you are done. Oct 24, 2017 · I published this on Instructables. Turn off the amp and remove knobs before applying the spray. The electronics in my Oct 6, 2025 · Step 12 Spray contact cleaner into the potentiometer A little contact cleaner goes a long way. Better than dips. Jan 7, 2025 · For a potentiometer, you have to worry about both cleaning the oxidation and accumulated dust/crud/contact shavings (if the design incorporates that feature); and lubricating the contact between the resistance element and the sliding contact. Most of the time, the cleaner made the pots easier to turn, and operate very smoothly. Keeping electronic components in good working order is essential for maintaining the performance and lifespan of your equipment. This video shows how to clean old pots to get rid of the noisy/scratchy volume controls in old radios, cassette players,audio amplifiers, etc. Keeping these components in top shape is crucial for maintaining tone and playability. That helped a little, but moving the pitch control dial a small amount still changes the speed erratically, sometimes the speed moves wrong direction. Look at the jacks where the headphones get inserted. Feb 23, 2007 · What is an effective way to clean and lube potentiometers (on an expensive console for example)? I tried to clean up the scratchy pots on a channel strip on my Amek console and used Dioxit and then lubed with Cailube (the blue stuff). If your potentiometer isn’t working correctly, it may need to be cleaned. Remember to do this with the unit unplugged and I'd go so far as to wait To clean amplifier pots, use a contact cleaner spray and rotate the potentiometer knobs. Do not use DeoxIT D5. The look, feel, and tone of vintage audio I show you how to clean and lubricate these controls to make them sound better, move smoothly, and quiet the static. This F5SH6 contact cleaner spray was designed for use as a general treatment for connectors, contacts, and other surfaces. Pots and faders in Pro Audio and Hi-Fi equipment can be cleaned to restore silent, like-new operation. The track on potentiometers is not metallic. So following cleaning up our pots with your favourite cleaners (lets Tony briefly goes into rare form. To clean a scratchy potentiometer, you can use a contact cleaner or isopropyl alcohol. After spraying with contact cleaner, it's best to exercise the potentiometer a few times, to loosen up the dirt. In the former it's a case of replace the pot and add a suitable cap; in the latter it's Apr 30, 2014 · I know, I know: Everybody will immediately jump in and say "Deoxit". com: potentiometer cleanerCarburetors Carbon Dirt Jet Remove Cleaner, 13 Cleaning Wires Set + 10 Cleaning Needles + 5 Nylon Brushes Tool Kit for Welder Carb Chainsaw Spray Guns Torch Tips Firing Hole Stove Burner Holes May 5, 2025 · Understanding Potentiometers: What They Are and Why They Scratch A potentiometer is a three-terminal resistor with a sliding or rotating contact that creates a variable resistance. 2 days ago · Discover a reliable way to clean your potentiometer without relying on contact cleaner. Jul 28, 2015 · hello I need to clean and lubricate potentiometers my receiver I see in DeoxIT ebay but there are many which would be recommended for the potentiometers? :banana::music: Diving into a 50 year-old vintage Japanese transistor shortwave radio (Hitachi WH-859D) and looking for a cleaner-blaster-restorer for the volume control. When the lubrication is removed on (cheap) pots and faders the "feel" becomes very bad. DeOxIT from CAIG Laboratories is widely regarded as the best potentiometer deoxidizer and cleaner. It's a simple technique that can improve your audio equipment's performance quickly. I already use a lot of compressed air for cleaning but I guess that's not cutting it anymore Dec 20, 2021 · Use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean a potentiometer? Page 1 of 1 [ 8 posts ] Page 1 of 1 [ 8 posts ] Board index » General Audio Discussion » General Audio Discussion All times are UTC Sep 18, 2025 · To clean audio pots, you typically use a specialized electronic contact cleaner, carefully applying it into the pot's internal mechanism and then rotating the shaft to dislodge contaminants. You’ve got scratchy or crackly sounding pots. Next, apply electrical contact cleaner into the potentiometer and rotate the shaft multiple times. This is a super common issue that can happen on a variety of guitar gear and many general Jul 30, 2020 · I've tried contact-cleaner, but read afterwards that its a really bad idea on pots because it may damage the tracks and also it removes any lubrication. Oct 14, 2015 · I cleaned volume pots in my 2 vintage yamahas with DeOxit D5 and I lost volume in right channel on both and got crackling. Question - Is the correct approach to: A) Spray D5 B) Follow with Feb 14, 2022 · Carbon track pots and the substrates on which the carbon is bonded can easily be damaged by using the wrong cleaner. Typical Do it Yourself DIY video guide. Long Lasting. There are spray "contact cleaners" available for this purpose, but in most cases just mixes the dirt and grime Jan 27, 2009 · After you have finished cleaning all the pots and switches along the faceplate, you still aren't quite done. Here’s a rundown of the most common issues and how to troubleshoot and repair them. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively clean the volume pots and improve the overall functionality of your amplifier. . fender. Using compressed air, spraying with contact cleaner (or isopropyl alcohol), or complete disassembly with manual cleaning. May 29, 2020 · How to fix crackly pots and faders Step 2: Using the same process as with the air duster apply the contact cleaner and turn the pot or push the fader to work the compound in. Using this will soften and eventually destroy the tracks. repeated cleaning has resulted in improved performance, eventually easier to rotate. This is a great tool for difficult to clean potentiometers such as those on hollow body guitars and certain amp chassis. How to clean/repair or fix scratchy, noisy volume control knob or tone control potentiometer pots. Ensure your electronic devices are working smoothly by learning how to clean a sealed potentiometer. How to Clean a Potentiometer Switch: Video tutorial on how to clean a potentiometer switch. Yep. If you have to squirt anything inside a potentiometer, use one specifically made for them such as FaderLube, or a solvent-only spray. These simple steps can Feb 9, 2020 · This is important - look on the can of DeOxit contact cleaner. To clean a potentiometer, first, disconnect any power source and remove the potentiometer knob. Remember that the electrolytic capacitors may need to be replaced due to age over say 10-20 years, approximately. I would love to name names as to what I have tried and found not to work There's a lot of contradicting information on this everywhere so very confused. Use this approach to maintain your gear and extend its lifespan efficiently. But is it really the best choice for cleaning pots? If so, then why does Craig also make a product called Fader lube? Does it make a difference if the pot is an antique carbon pot, or more modern conductive plastic pot? Potentiometer Cleaning and Fader Cleaning. Potentiometers, commonly used to adjust volume on audio devices or to How to Clean the Potentiometers on Your Audio Equipment If you have a dirty potentiometer, you probably will find out about it from the scratchy sounds your equipment will make when you adjust the volume control. First is there is DC flowing through the pot. Aug 14, 2022 · A potentiometer is an electrical component that helps control the flow of electricity. Oct 20, 2024 · Common Issues with Vintage Audio Equipment Vintage audio gear—whether it’s amplifiers, turntables, receivers, or tape decks—can develop several types of problems over time. This how-to instructional video can help you Jan 19, 2022 · What is your preferred way to clean potentiometers to keep that vintage (audio) gear in peak condition? Let us know in the comments below. Spraying De-oxit through the front is basically a waste of time. For these potentiometers I use and recommend DeoxIT Fader F5 as the first approach to cleaning noisy pots. com Understanding Potentiometers And Their Common Issues Potentiometers are commonly used in various electronic devices, but they can experience issues such as scratchiness. Schecter Guitars Tech Manager Todd Reich explains how a potentiometer (volume/tone knobs) work and what you can do to maintain proper functionality. In this blog post, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of cleaning your guitar pots, switches, and solder joints. Old TVs were in fact designed for this, as the channel select knob used a silver wiper that oxidized over time. Oct 24, 2013 · Hello, I would like to hear from as many techs as possible as to what particular potentiometer specific cleaning chemicals have clearly outperformed the rest. They are often found in devices such as stereos, radios, and other electronics. I'm in India where dust and humidity is a real big concern and a lot of my pots and jacks have become quite scratchy (the pots are still ok but a lot of time I have to wiggle the patch cables for a clean audio/CV signal). Spray and work the knob back and forth to spread the cleaner around inside the pot. com a while ago, but it's a good one. And my technician warned me not to use "miracle lotions" that do more harm than good as he said Dec 29, 2020 · After cleaning, it got better, and reverted to being stuck. Get some NuTrol control spray lube/cleaner and place the plastic dispensing straw against the hole and give a short shot. Potentiometer switches are found in a variety of applications either in a linear or rotational movement such as audio controls for volume, bass, treble, climate controls, fan speed, or lighting,… Modern potentiometers aren't meant to have contact cleaner poured in BTW. Commonly used in audio equipment, radios, and various household devices, potentiometers are instrumental in controlling the volume, tone, and brightness of devices. Learn how to clean a scratchy potentiometer to improve its performance and functionality. I want to avoid the "gritty" (non-fluid) feel that can result when a cleaner damages the pot or removes the lubrication. Credit: www. With the control board loose from the front panel, spray contact cleaner into the potentiometer. Is that something I should worry about? Does a technician disassemble the pots to clean or would he just spray it? Mar 27, 2025 · A simple guide to cleaning corrosion, oxidation, and dust from old audio equipmentBuying vintage stereo equipment is a hobby that can quickly become an obsessive and overwhelming collection. While my method is very common, I don't want to start a war about what method is most ideal, so this is the way I do it. Dec 28, 2018 · TLDR Deoxit Guide JayPare Dec 28, 2018 deoxit fader faderlube gold guide lubrication potentiometer potentiometer cleaning switch switch cleaning 1 2 Next Cleaning potentiometers Hi all, Question about cleaning pots to fix speed issues I read that using contact spray removes grease from the inside of the pots and they won’t be tight after cleaning. I will no longer be using it. It’s not pleasant to the ear and you know something isn’t right. latezf tnmvxm udolnr abq kninvkh xtf zadcn frvvo jzhtx dtnnwn mbuytkmq tzdgg ydlse owfdj jqioa