Which DeOxit?

[Theophilus Punoval]

There seem to be different kinds of DeOxit (sp?) out there. Are there major differences? Which is the type for cleaning up pots and switches?

I don't want to get the wrong stuff.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ed in Tx]

I use the D5 for cleaning noisy intermittent switches, usually chase that with a bit of the Gold and also use the Gold for general maintenance, D5 has more cleaner-deoxidizing chemical in it than the Gold, and I use FaderLube on sliders and pots after cleaning with D5 or Gold. All pretty sparingly especially in rotary pots and sliders.

 

[ZeroG]

Deoxit D5 can be used on most newer controls. If it's way older (carbon based wipers) the Faderlube is safer, as well as in sliders.

Some folks 'chase' the Deoxit D5 with Faderlube F5, which is still mostly solvent.

There are a couple of different Faderlube products. There's F5, D100, and 100% solution:

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_408n37jzc8_e

IMHO, the Faderlube F5 really isn't for providing the max lubrication that follows a Deoxit treatment. It's primarily a solvent cleaner that's safe for plastics and has some lubricating qualities (5% solution) to prevent wear. The Faderlube 100 / 100L is 100% solution that's used for lubrication.

At least that's my take on it. There are greases that you can buy, but the pot would need to be disassembled and repacked, which is a risky proposition with vintage gear. I've tried injecting the grease, but it won't go through the hypo or reach deep enough into the shaft of the pot to have an effect.

It's the grease that attracts and holds the dust and gunk that causes conductivity issues and that same grease gives the pot its silky feel which gets washed out by treating with Deoxit D5. Neither Faderlube F5 or 100L will restore that original silky feel. But it does prevent wear and may mitigate the rougher feel of cleaned pots to some small extent.