Contact cleaner
An aerosol or liquid solvent used to remove oxidation and dirt from switches, jacks and the tracks inside potentiometers.
Volume and tone pots develop a scratchy sound because dirt and oxide build up on the carbon track where the wiper travels, and switches and jacks suffer similarly. A cleaner and lubricant sprayed into the component while it is worked back and forth can cure the problem without removing anything, which makes it the first line of repair for crackling controls. It is a temporary measure: a pot that is physically worn through its track will need replacing, and the spray only delays that.
Example: A volume knob that crackles when it is turned, quiet after being sprayed and worked, has been treated with contact cleaner.
See also
Related
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- PagePotentiometer
- PageHookup wire
- PageAction gauge
- PageAged finish
- PageBack bow
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley