Tuner knob lube and cleaner

[GeoW]

Have a detector that was in storage for a year. Was returned and the on/off volume and the disc level now are both harder to turn.
Should I spray some tuner cleaner lube on the shaft and let it soak in to lubricate and make these easier and smoother to turn? Any possibility of damaging detector?

Thanks for input.

GeoW

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Treasure of Victoria Peak - Grab it through Amazon!

[steve1357]

Be careful with the overspray. Some can melt synthetics, plastics. Also some contain oils which could foul up the RF circuitry on the board.

I use to use one of the types of LPS (1 or 2 dont remember) in a dropper so it wouldn't go everywhere when you sprayed it.

 

[GeoW]

Thanks Steve. I will search for the liquid with dropper. I doubt I'll even open the control box but drop a few drops on the shaft from outside just to see if it will smooth up some.

Thanks!
Geo

 

[steve1357]

I sprayed it into something then used the eye dropper to pick it up.

Seems a drop of WD40 might work.
http://wd40.com/img/WD-40_2000_uses.pdf

 

[GeoW]

I had ordered some of the new to me WD40 electronic cleaner. Will see if I can get to loosen up the shaft. I won't be going inside the machine. I'm retired military but not in the electronics/communications branch.

 

[steve1357]

You're pulling my leg lol. WD40, everybody has used it. Its silicone based "water displacement" lubricant. Walmart, anyone has it in the US.

 

[GeoW]

Talking about the New Electrical Speciality Cleaner from WD40... Not the old standy by in the blue and yellow can.

 

[RobRieman]

Whatever you do don't use the regular WD40. Every speck of dust and dirt will stick to it and gum that shaft up to the max.

Look at this fancy smancy pot cleaner

 

[RustyGold]

The cleaner/lubricant that is used on guitars and amplifiers will do the trick. WD40 will clean with no real lubricant and can become worse after awhile.

A post by soundguruman:

The best cleaner is Caig Deoxit G-100 which is also known as pro gold 100 it is expensive but well worth the price.
The second choice is Caig deoxit D100, less expensive but very reliable.
For sliding faders, use Caig Fader lube F series.
Remember that using the wrong type of cleaner can destroy your expensive equipment, you have been warned....And now for a re-post of my (now famous) blog on cleaning controls and jacks:
Does your volume control crackle when you turn it? Do the left and right channels cut out when you turn the controls?
You need to clean the controls. OK-- better disconnect the power before doing so.


Contact cleaner and switch cleaner is NOT suitable for cleaning volume controls! Get your application straight!
Incorrect type of cleaner will strip the lubrication out of a volume control and render your control FUBAR. Contact cleaner MELTS plastic! Using the wrong type of cleaner can DESTROY your controls.
Use ONLY lubricated control cleaner, which is specifically designed to clean rotating mechanical parts. THIS IS NOT CONTACT CLEANER!!!
The correct type of cleaner is sprayed into the control in small amounts, ONE spray. Spray this into both sections (left and right) of the control.
Next, rotate the control back and fourth several times, to distribute the cleaner across the entire surface. Allow the control to dry, and wipe off excess cleaner.


An example of REAL control cleaner is DEOXIT or PRO GOLD, sold by CAIG chemical company. This is not cheap, but it will not harm your expensive equipment.


DO NOT rely on a sales person to recommend the correct type of cleaner, verify it YOURSELF, using the recommendations posted on the cleaner manufacturer's website.
You have been warned.


CLEANING THE HEADPHONE / AUDIO JACKS TO CURE AUDIO CUT OUT AND CRACKLES:
The headphone jack contains switching contacts which disconnect your speakers when you plug the headphones in. However, if these contacts become oxidized or corroded, your left and right speakers may stop functioning.
Spray a small amount of cleaner into the jack. Insert a headphone plug, then pull it out, repeat the insertion several times. This will assist the cleaner, to help clean the contacts inside the headphone jack.
After the contacts have been cleaned, your left and right speaker outputs might function again. Try it.

DO NOT use cheap cleaner on your controls, don't be a sucker! Do not spray WD 40 into your controls, you will be very sorry you did that. Just because the cleaner says: "safe on plastics" does not mean that it is!!!

 

[GeoW]

The pot cap shown may be the ticket for cleaning without disassembly.. Thanks!

 

[GeoW]

Good info Rusty. I had thought the dry cleaner is what I needed.. Now I understand I need cleaner/lubricant..

 

[steve1357]

Talking about the New Electrical Speciality Cleaner from WD40... Not the old standy by in the blue and yellow can.

lol

Got it. Didn't know they made that product. I was talking about the old standby

Good luck!

 

[steve1357]

Good info Rusty. I had thought the dry cleaner is what I needed.. Now I understand I need cleaner/lubricant..

GeoW,

how'd you come out on your project?

 

[GeoW]

GeoW,

how'd you come out on your project?

Hi Steve,
I was fortunate enough to locate a technician who did work for Troy. Detector is on the way to him now. I will post when it is returned but I feel very good about it now.

Thanks for asking!

George

 

[steve1357]

Good deal, even better!

 

[GeoW]

Received Troy Shadow X5 back in a weeks time. Transistor replaced and it is just like new.. Good to find someone to keep the X5s up and running.

Note, this was my number 2 Shadow X5, not the one with the hard to turn tuning knobs. Those knobs were hard to turn because of rubber O-rings installed at the factory to waterproof the control box.

The detector that was repaired would transmit but not receive.

Thanks all!

geo

 

[steve1357]

Awesome!