<div dir="auto">Hi Antti,<div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Thanks. If you don't mind can you say which company replied?</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Cheers,</div><div dir="auto">Neil</div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sun, 29 Mar 2020, 14:32 Antti Pitkämäki, <<a href="mailto:anpitkam@hotmail.com">anpitkam@hotmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
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Hi all,</div>
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I'm replying to this thread I started a while ago. I got some great tips, thanks! However, to find the definitive answer to my question below, I decided to ask three major potentiometer manufacturers on how to clean a scratchy pot properly and whether lube
is needed. One of them replied. I'm posting this here because it might be interesting to some of you. Below is my original question to the manufacturers and below that is the one reply I got. I find it to be very useful information!</div>
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The question:</div>
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<span>"I’m trying to find information on how to properly fix a scratchy potentiometer that is used in audio equipment (e.g. synthesizer). All I’ve found are contradictory opinions on how to do it, but I can’t seem to find a definitive answer. Thus, I got the
idea of asking a reputable potentiometer manufacturer for some tips. Although my question concerns potentiometers generally and not just your products, I would appreciate any insight on this.<br>
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<div>So if I was to fix a scratchy audio potentiometer, I suppose I should dismantle it <span style="background:var(--white)">for proper cleaning? I was thinking of using isoprophyl alcohol to clean the carbon tracks, is this a good idea? Should I add lubrification
to the carbon tracks after cleaning or leave them dry? If lubrification is a good idea, could you tell me which type to use and which type to avoid?"</span></div>
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<div>The answer:</div>
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<div>"In regards to our potentiometer cleaning process, my application engineer stated the following:<br>
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<span>We would only recommend using isopropyl alcohol to clean the POTS. Most of our pots come with a small amount of grease applied, we tend to use a NLGI #2 grease. The customer might be able to find something similar. Be sure to avoid any type of lubricant
that can be conductive."</span></div>
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<span>Hope you find this information useful!</span></div>
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<span>Best regards and take care in these uncertain times,</span></div>
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<span>Antti</span></div>
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<div id="m_7583199464391232047divRplyFwdMsg" dir="ltr"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif" color="#000000" style="font-size:11pt"><b>From:</b> Synth-diy <<a href="mailto:synth-diy-bounces@synth-diy.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">synth-diy-bounces@synth-diy.org</a>> on behalf of Antti Pitkämäki <<a href="mailto:anpitkam@hotmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">anpitkam@hotmail.com</a>><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Sunday, January 5, 2020 2:10 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:synth-diy@synth-diy.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">synth-diy@synth-diy.org</a> <<a href="mailto:synth-diy@synth-diy.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">synth-diy@synth-diy.org</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [sdiy] Cleaning scratchy pots</font>
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<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt">Hi,</span><br>
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I'm about to clean a scratchy volume pot of my Korg Polysix. I was thinking of dismantling the pot and using isoprophyl alcohol to clean the wiper contacts. However, am I also supposed to add some very small amount of lubricant (such as PRF Kontakt 7-78) to
the contacts after cleaning or would it be better to leave it dry?</div>
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Also, in general do new factory fresh pots have lubricant on the contacts or are they dry?</div>
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I'm asking these questions because no amount of googling seems to give a definite answer, but if there is an answer somewhere, it's in this group <span id="m_7583199464391232047x_x_🙂">🙂</span></div>
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<span>Thanks in advance,</span></div>
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<span>Antti</span></div>
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