Grease for Potentiometers

[Tubetec]

Pot shaft grease has a slightly sticky quality to it , it can dry out also , like was said already , a drop of light machine oil at the top of the bushing and work it down in ,

If its seized ,try heating the shaft /bushing with a hair dryer ,then dismantle by tapping out the shaft with the pot supported by a couple of nuts on the bushing ,clean away all the residue and re-grease .

Ive tried standard yellow automotive grease , it works ,but doesnt have the nice feel of the proper stuff , In something like a tube amp with elevated temperatures it might not stay put .

 

[MagnetoSound]

Plumbers’ PTFE (Teflon) spray works really well. I don’t know why.

I usually apply it after a Servisol-type lubricant spray or isopropyl solvent spray to clean away the dirt.

It lubricates the shaft and eliminates crackles from the track. A man from Maplin (many years ago) gave me the tip. I didn’t believe him until I tried it.

EDIT: carbon tracks, not CP.

 

[Audio Connection of Iowa]

I believe ithis may be just what you are looking for, it's called Dialectric grease. It is often called silicone grease. And by definition: Dielectric, insulating material or a very poor conductor of electric current. Dielectric, insulating material or a very poor conductor of electric current. When dielectrics are placed in an electric field, practically no current flows in them because, unlike metals, they have no loosely bound, or free, electrons that may drift through the material. You can find it on Amazon, it's sold as CRS brand - Technician Grade Dialectric Grease, 3.3oz. Technician Grade Dielectric Grease, 3.3 Wt Oz. It's opague, almost clear. it's used in the automotive industry to waterproof and preserve contacts. It's safe for o-rings and plastics. I've used it on conductive plastic potentiometers (rotational and linear). I've read that it dries up over time, although I haven't experianced this. I hope this will help you,

Best Regards,
Phil Tillman
[email protected]

 

[scott2000]

All I can say is the kilopoise isn't anything like dielectric grease or anything I've ever used before. I'd have a hard time accepting that the damping properties would be anything near the same being familiar with both.

 

[Tubetec]

Silicone grease might be appropriate to lube the track ,
It was also used in the old days in RC cars , when you had a servo switching resistances to control the motor speed .
Helps prevent arching too .

The old sticky grease bears a similar consistancy to the gum you find in a kitchen extractor fan .

 

[chilidawg]

Last year I made a mistake of spraying contact cleaner to a plastic pot of my Danelectro pedal and it made the pot rotation feel completely gone.

I looked everywhere for a similar lubrication until I came across what is called a dampening grease.
The viscosity is very thick and very sticky kinda like almost harden hair gel.

I took apart the pot and applied that grease on the shaft hole, put it back and the pot rotation feel is restored! feels exactly like a brand new pot. I sold the pedal and receive no complain whatsoever.