[adamthemute]

I want to clean the pots on my crappy Marshall head before I sell it. Some are a little noisy.

I know DeoxIT is the ideal brand, but I don't really feel like spending $20 for a can and having it mailed to me. I went to Radio Shack (The Source) and they gave me a can of 'Contact and Head Cleaner'. They said it's the only stuff like that they have.

I looked on some threads about this, and someone called it 'Tuner Control Cleaner & Lubricant'.

Is this the same stuff? I used the can of Contact and Head Cleaner once, it didn't get rid of all the dirt in the pot but now some of the knobs are kind of sticking when you turn them.

I just want to be sure this is the right stuff before I try to clean them again.

Thanks.

 

[Wild Bill]

Is this the same stuff? I used the can of Contact and Head Cleaner once, it didn't get rid of all the dirt in the pot but now some of the knobs are kind of sticking when you turn them.

I just want to be sure this is the right stuff before I try to clean them again.

Thanks.

Close enough, Adam. Deoxit is a better brand that seems more common in the States. In my area MG Chemicals is what we usually see and it's nice that it's a Canadian company.

Look on the side of the can and check it out. The good stuff will say its for use with tuners, controls and switch contacts and will NOT eat plastics! It will also leave a silicon or other inert lubricant on the surfaces.

If it doesn't say all this stuff don't buy it.

You should also understand that dirt is not the only problem. A control that has been used for years can wear away the actual resistive element inside. It will no longer help to clean something that's worn away. You'd then have to replace the pot.

Hope this helps...

:food-smiley-004:

 

[adamthemute]

That does help, thanks.

The can I bought says none of that stuff, guess the guy didn't know what he was talking about. I just hope I didn't mess anything up now...

 

[Geek]

Hi,

As mentioned, there's two stages of wear; dirt and the resistive element wasting away.

First stage can be cured with rubbing alcohol and an eye dropper.

Second stage can be helped with WD-40. WD-40 will also eat the element, but if it's already going, it can add a few months to the life.

Cheers!

 

[Xanadu]

I use something called nu-trol Control Cleaner. It works really well.