Guitar pots, or potentiometers, are used to control the volume and tone of your guitar. Over time, these pots can become dirty, affecting the sound of your guitar. When this happens, it’s time to clean your guitar pots! There are a few different ways to clean guitar pots, but the most effective way is to use a contact cleaner. Contact cleaners are designed to clean electrical contacts, and they’re safe to use on your guitar pots. To clean your guitar pots, simply spray a small amount of contact cleaner onto a cotton swab. Then, gently wipe the cotton swab around the pot’s shaft. Be sure to rotate the pot as you clean it, so that you clean the entire surface. Once you’ve cleaned your guitar pots, they should be good as new! Your guitar will sound better, and the pots will be less likely to get dirty in the future.
The body cavity of a guitar switch or pot is easily contaminated by dust, dirt, and debris. It’s a good idea to clean them on a regular basis to avoid negative consequences. A deoxidizing spray can be applied to the pot’s housing to eliminate scratches. It is simple to remove corrosion from failing connections by cleaning them with corrosion inhibitors. Run a strip of double-sided 400grit sandpaper between the tabs of a Gibson-style, three-position switch. The switch should be moved back and forth to get the solvent to work on the connections’ nooks and crannies.
It will also damage the finish of your furniture if it is stained or oiled by household furniture polish or cleaners such as Pine Sol, Windex, and 409. The only products that are safe to use to clean your guitar are white distilled vinegar and olive oil. It will clean the finish, but do you really want a guitar that smells like a pickle?
Can You Use Wd40 On Guitar Pots?
It is not for use. If you have electronics supplies, you can get an electronic cleaner or a TV tuner cleaner at any electronics store. Spray the pot between the lugs and twist the knob repeatedly, as you would any other knob.
Although WD-40 is a fantastic lubricant, it should not be used on guitar electronics. Under normal conditions, it will not last very long and is not intended to be used as a primary lubricant. Pots with WD-40 can corrode faster as a result of the WD-40’s damage. The use of solvents such as alcohol and other thin liquids can cause electronics to corrode. potentiometers! The solvent contains water, which is absorbed by it and left behind rust when it dries. Make certain that the labels are properly handled by Deoxit Faderlube.
Because it evaporates quickly, it will not dry out over time. Deoxit Faderlube or other contact cleaner spray should be used at least once a year to clean guitar pots. Lubricant will not hurt anything as long as you do not leave it on for an extended period of time, especially if there is rust. Potentiometers are extremely durable, and if properly cleaned and lubricated, they may last a long time.
Can You Use Contact Cleaner For Guitar Pots?
Dirtier pots can often be easily cleaned by spraying them with contact cleaner and rotating the pot shaft on its side.
It is usually best to spray them from the back, but if you are new to the game, you can also try spraying them from the front if you are not experienced. The D5 is a little easier to get away with on certain pots, but I no longer put myself in danger with it. He made it clear that SE D100 spray was the best option for preserving old pots. Use DeoxIT7 FaderGrease and Radio Shack Anti-Corrosive Lubricant in conjunction with the control/connector/contact surface(s) Test for compatibility before applying. If possible, shoot a few drops of cleaner into the pot from the backside if possible, then turn it several times until it is clean. For both steps, I prefer to use F5rlfade for the old 50s pots.
Peter Williams is a graduate of B.A Arts and Culture from the University of Technology Sydney. Peter is very much interested in cultural practices around the world including music, history, languages, literature, religion and social structures.