The Electra Forums

SLMguy,

I know of the place you speak about, it is Randolph and Rice. My father used to own an electronics parts supplier here in Nashville as well.

Use Caig deoxit DN5 or D5 - you can buy it at radio shack now, but can buy it on line and it comes with a red straw to direct the spray. It is pro contact cleaner with a little bit of lubricant that is power safe and long term safe. It is made specifically for electrical switches and pots. I use it on vintage amps and guitars all the time, and on powered equipment. I always found it to be finish safe too.

When I rescued my first X330 from the pawn shop, none of the pots would move at all - really. I shot caig deoxit in them in from the back in the slot near the three terminals and let it soak down. I shot a lot into each one, with the controls face down and the back of the pot face up. Let gravity do some work and work it into the pot shaft. I forcibly tried to move it back and forth. I repeated. Shoot, soak a few second, try to move the control. Eventually every one freed up, a little at a time - until completely free. They haven't frozen since. There is a cain fader lubricant that I have that is a safe lubricant. Following up with that sometimes makes things smoother. I have found the DN-5 or D5 cleaner works on every pot style except a fader, with requires that fader lubricant. I still have a can of that here too and occasionally use that. I have gone through many cans of the D5 cleaner though. It is relatively expensive, but the average guy would almost never go through a can. I do, because I repair amps and they have LOTS of POTS. Caig makes high quality products for this market. It is what the pros use. It is a red, black and white can, comes in a 5 oz size, and in a tiny portable can (they also have many variations including bottles that are similar to super glue bottles that apply without aerosol and are usually more concentrated versions - those usually are not required). Use the standard spray stuff. Buy a 5 oz can and you will be good for a while. Don't use WD 40. I want a cleaner with a lubricant designed for electronics. This is it and have been using it for years with excellent results.

It works. I have amps do this too. Pots CAN go bad, but unless they are very cheap or otherwise damaged they seldom do. I have found the pots in electras to be OK. Probably too late for you now, but the next guy might find this useful. Good luck.

_________________
Thorny

Thorny,

I haven't changed the pots or even touched them yet. I've been working on the scratches on the neck first. I appreciate your input along with everyone else's. This has all been helpful for both me and anyone else looking at the thread.

If you ever need anything, I am only about 2.5 hours away from Nashville near Evansville, IN. If happened to get lost up here sometime, please stop by.

_________________
Thorny

I'll second Thorny's suggestion on the Caig products, and I can confirm the use of them in pro situations. It's what I use for recording studio equipment. I don't use the spray can type, but rather the "needle dropper" style bottle. Less overspray, less waste.