Cleaning Electronic Controls

A quick video on cleaning electronic controls, especially switches and potentiometers (variable resistors). Note that it is possible for potentiometers and switches to wear out, although this takes a very long time or a lot of hard use before it happens. Getting the cover off and getting into the controls is probably the hardest part of this whole process.

This video is not likely to be helpful if you have a device that uses microswitches to adjust functions. These little switches can wear out and usually have to be replaced, although they can be cleaned if you are very careful when opening them.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• cleaning
• electronic
• controls
• potentiometers

[shield400]

I've been a big fan of Caig DeoxIT D5 for many years but it is expensive. I'll have to take a look at that $4 bottle of Radio Shack stuff. Thanks!

[uxwbill]

@shield400 This is a slightly different formulation, but it seems to work extremely well and has some mineral oil in it as a bonus. I've had no problems with it on all kinds of controls, from mixer sliders to this receiver, which is still going strong.

[JonathanMichaelSpain]

May I ask if wd40 would work and not damage ?

[uxwbill]

@JonathanMichaelSpain You should not use WD40. Though it might work if you have nothing else, it is a pretty lousy contact cleaner and leaves little useful lubricating material behind. As it is mostly kerosene, WD-40 is also somewhat flammable, which is not what you want on switches that carry high current or voltage.

[bbbobbbieo]

Thank you so much for this tutorial!



[uxwbill]

@bbbobbbieo You are certainly welcome. I hope it was helpful and solved the problem you were having.

[MaxinMaytrix]

Tech spray is good do! We use it a work quite often!

[zhangzhang9]

Very well-done. Thanks for an informative and well thought out video. It's awesome, and much better than a lot of stuff out there.

[john3prs]

Thanks for the heads up on the Radio Shack lubricant. Just picked up a can and cleaned up the pots on a Yamaha ax-700u. It sounds brand new!

It was 5.99 plus tax in socal

[uxwbill]

@CosmicBeingMusic You are welcome. I go back and watch this periodically and I'm still pretty amazed at the job I did. Normally I do pretty well, but this was way above the average!

Several months ago I did get a better camera with vastly improved audio. This room also has some better lighting now. I also now have an HD camera, though I rarely use it.

Thank you for watching. Do feel free to comment or write anytime!

[brianfitzrock]

Extremely informative and concise.  No mumbling or wasted time. You deserve a How-To TV show. Pro all the way. Thank you!

[TerenceRoxs10]

If you really want to save precious time and be more efficient , put your whole unit with your dishes in your dishwasher machine and select heavy wash.