Recommended contact cleaner ?

[okgb]

It's coming time to buy some again, I've avoided the ones with lubricant for the idea of that
it holds dust or contaminants but is de-oxit  better or will any generic stuff be just as good
what does one look for [ do you check the list of ingredients like grocery store ? ]
And burnishing tools wearing away layers of metal doesn't seem like a good idea , same cleaner ?

And ................. just to stir the pot cause some of you like that , any experience / opinions on
Stabilant 22 ? 

 

[okgb]

What?  the " smarter " guys are scared to post ?

 

[fazer]

Stabilant 22.   

I had some switches and edge connects in a synchronizer years ago that were intermittent contacts.  They were constant problems and cleaning them on a bi weekly basis.
My only experience with Stabilant was at that time.  It fixed the problem.  Over the years I have not done as much tech work and have a couple of cans of the original blue shower that works great at cleaning up problems in an old API console I have.  I may try some more stabiliant when the  last can runs out. 

I'm interested in the experience of others.  I use Craig deoxit and feel sometimes if I don't clean with blue shower first the deoxit does not fix the problem.  This console is from the 70's so things are getting very old now. I welcome others opinions.

 

[sodderboy]

Stabilant 22 is not a cleaner, it is a conditioner.  Using it on dirty contacts is like waxing a dirty car.  I stay clear from it because it is highly conductive and has burned me in the past.

It really isn't a one size fits all answer.
For a connector contact cleaner I use anhydrous isopropyl alcohol (don't need it much for tape paths these days), or "blue shower" type pressurized flushers.  Deoxit is a good deep cleaner, but it has to be removed as per the instructions.  My experience is that no one does that, and I have not found any instances of resulting "capacitance" causing any problems.

For conditioners I am partial to the Caig progold for connectors/switches and f5 for faders and pots.  Neve always spec'ed Electrolube but it also has some Stabilant 22 reactions.  If I am doing a huge switch job I try to use actual switch grease that would be used in manufacture.

If I have to spray into something sealed that cannot be directly wiped with cloth or swab I will usually flush with a pressurized TCF type cleaner and then condition according to the component.
Mike

 

[Brian Roth]

For a number of years, I've used "QD" contact cleaner made by the CRC company.  I first encountered it in the electrical parts aisle at Home Despot <sic>.  It is a non-residue, quick drying aerosol claimed (and nothing to the contrary found by me) to be plastic safe.

In more recent times, I discovered CRC was marketing a VERY similar formulation with the same "QD" name via auto parts stores...and in the auto chemicals aisle at WallyWorld.  Wally pricing is almost half that at Home Despot.

Bri

 

[okgb]

Thanks for the replies & tips
I hadn't considered that maybe I should be cleaning the cleaner as well!