[sdiy] potentiometer lubrication - the definitive answer?

[Needham, Alan]

  >
  > Evreything from wd40 to vasalene is mentiond in some way or other, 
  > generally in equal parts of love and hate.
  >
  >
  >
  > Does anyone have any trade experiance of pot manfacture, and can give 
  > some definative answers as to whats used to lubricate pots?  And, 
  > specifically where its applied (on the wiper / track and/or on the 
  > shaft / body interface)
  >

Personally (not what you wanted !), I use Electrolube on a cotton bud to wipe the track and remove old grease and gunge, then a drop of the same to lubricate the centre wiper. If a pot shaft feels 'dry' - tight to turn, I will put a spot on that as well.
http://www.electrolube.com/docs/contactlube.html - I prefer the 'pen' or bottle type applicators rather than an indiscriminate spray.
A drop on an otherwise useless slide switch can work wonders too!

I find it hard to believe anyone would use WD40 - it leaves a wax deposit which will be insulating ! - Vaseline might be OK for the shaft bearings (or car battery terminals- protects from corrosion) but again !!! ?

	Alan

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