CC Pot Cleaning

General discussion area for tube amps.

Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal

C Moore
Posts: 1266
Joined: Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:28 am
Location: USA, California, 94585

CC Pot Cleaning

Post by C Moore »

When you guys use Deoxit, with the red label, on a "typical" pot from Alpha, Bourns, CTS, etc.
Do the pots need any kind of lubrication afterward.?
I read about this from time to time, but honestly do not know what needs lubricating.
Is it:
The shaft
The wiper against the resistive surface......?
Thank You
User avatar
George61
Posts: 103
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 10:14 am
Location: York Haven, Pennsylvania USA

Re: CC Pot Cleaning

Post by George61 »

I don't use any lubricant, just 100% Deoxit. Works great.

See the attachment.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
Structo
Posts: 15446
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:01 am
Location: Oregon

Re: CC Pot Cleaning

Post by Structo »

I get confused by the myriad of products and name changes DeOxit has.

I bought a can of the Gold which seems to work well on CC pots.

Mine is the G5 and says flushing action and safe on plastics.
It also lubricates which may help scratchy pots.
Tom

Don't let that smoke out!
User avatar
billyz
Posts: 1305
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 6:17 pm
Location: Spokane, WA
Contact:

Re: CC Pot Cleaning

Post by billyz »

I only use Caig Fader Lube for Pots. I stopped using Deoxit after it ruined several vintage pots, the carbon lifted right off the substrate. Admittedly this is rare , but it does happen.
User avatar
George61
Posts: 103
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 10:14 am
Location: York Haven, Pennsylvania USA

Re: CC Pot Cleaning

Post by George61 »

Deoxit D100L-25C is the best choice for cleaning scratchy pots. Not cheap, but the needle dispencer is perfect for open pots.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdet ... keyword%7D

G5 is 5% Deoxit Gold. Deoxit is basically a cleaner and Deoxit Gold is a treatment to maintain contacts. On a pot you would use 100% Deoxit only.
C Moore
Posts: 1266
Joined: Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:28 am
Location: USA, California, 94585

Re: CC Pot Cleaning

Post by C Moore »

So it looks like Caig recommends the 100% for pots.....
User avatar
Structo
Posts: 15446
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:01 am
Location: Oregon

Re: CC Pot Cleaning

Post by Structo »

Holy cow!

$30 for 25ml?

Don't you need flushing action for old scratchy pots?
Tom

Don't let that smoke out!
vibratoking
Posts: 2640
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:55 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, CO

Re: CC Pot Cleaning

Post by vibratoking »

I have tried all of those things. The most cost effective and the only one that I use nowdays is the tuner control cleaner and lubricant from Radio Shack. Go ahead, tell me how wrong I am. :P
User avatar
George61
Posts: 103
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 10:14 am
Location: York Haven, Pennsylvania USA

Re: CC Pot Cleaning

Post by George61 »

Structo wrote:Holy cow!

$30 for 25ml?

Don't you need flushing action for old scratchy pots?
No flushing action needed. Put in one or two drops and turn the pot through it's entire rotation at least ten times and then put in another one or two drops. That's a maximum of four drops and there is supposedly 1250 drops in a 25ml bottle so it is not as expensive as it seems to be at first.
C Moore
Posts: 1266
Joined: Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:28 am
Location: USA, California, 94585

Re: CC Pot Cleaning

Post by C Moore »

vibratoking wrote:I have tried all of those things. The most cost effective and the only one that I use nowdays is the tuner control cleaner and lubricant from Radio Shack. Go ahead, tell me how wrong I am. :P
That was the first can of cleaner I bought, until I knew "better". :)
I still do not know if one is any better than the other.
Where does the "lube" in spray cleaner go exactly.?
Just what is it that needs to be lubed.?
How much lube could there be in a few shots of cleaner..... enough.?
Thank You
User avatar
guitardude57
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 15, 2009 6:19 pm
Location: Austin, TX
Contact:

Re: CC Pot Cleaning

Post by guitardude57 »

I like Blue Shower. About 25 bucks a can, it lasts for years. Does a great job.
Mike


I am never surprised and always amazed
Firestorm
Posts: 3033
Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:34 pm
Location: Connecticut

Re: CC Pot Cleaning

Post by Firestorm »

It it's a pot that can be opened (like CTS, etc.) take your smallest needle-nosed pliers and move the wiper contacts just a hair. They will fall on brand "new" carbon tracks.
User avatar
selloutrr
Posts: 3694
Joined: Sun Oct 14, 2007 2:44 am
Location: Southern California

Re: CC Pot Cleaning

Post by selloutrr »

billyz wrote:I only use Caig Fader Lube for Pots. I stopped using Deoxit after it ruined several vintage pots, the carbon lifted right off the substrate. Admittedly this is rare , but it does happen.
Correct!!! Deoxit red label is not a pot cleaner. Fader lube F5 and F100 are the correct Caig/hosa moving parts cleaner. Deoxit is intended to break down carbon and clean metal creating a better contact on jacks and solder points.
My Daughter Build Stone Henge
User avatar
Structo
Posts: 15446
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:01 am
Location: Oregon

Re: CC Pot Cleaning

Post by Structo »

Firestorm wrote:If it's a pot that can be opened (like CTS, etc.) take your smallest needle-nosed pliers and move the wiper contacts just a hair. They will fall on brand "new" carbon tracks.
Good tip!
Tom

Don't let that smoke out!
User avatar
tribi9
Posts: 571
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:01 pm
Location: KW in ON, Canada.

Re: CC Pot Cleaning

Post by tribi9 »

Structo wrote:
Firestorm wrote:If it's a pot that can be opened (like CTS, etc.) take your smallest needle-nosed pliers and move the wiper contacts just a hair. They will fall on brand "new" carbon tracks.
Good tip!
Yes, good tip. i got a couple of test subjects here too.. :)
Post Reply