NO, don't use WD-40 on anything electrical other than car ignition
systems when they get wet. It is not a good lubricant. It is an
effective cleaner for some things, for instance getting label gum off.
For electrical contacts use contact cleaner like Caig Deoxit. Deoxit D-5
is for general use and their Gold is meant for gold plated contacts but
is also a good follow up to D-5 for longer term protection. See the Caig
web site for more. They also make a lubricating cleaner especially for
volume controls and similar varible resistors. For long term protection
against oxidation I have also found the use of GC Tuner Lub to be
effective but plain petroleum jelly (Vaseline) works well also. The
jelly can be applied with the end of a wooden toothpick or unfolded
paper clip.
Its often useful to apply contact cleaner using the same toothpick
technique or a small artist's brush, be careful of just spraying it.
I've done some testing of D-5 and found it does not affect the
insulating properties of bakelite. It is reported by some to cause
bakelite insulators to swell and so the application technique using a
stick or brush. I've never experienced this swelling effect but its
been reported enough to take it seriously.
On 3/18/2016 4:44 AM, Myron Gochnauer wrote:
As long as we are way out on this trajectory. . . Do any of you know whether WD-40 can be used to clean electrical contacts (mechanical switches and volume controls in hi-fi equipment)? I seem to recall that some people have done this.
Myron
On Mar 18, 2016, at 3:04 AM, `Richard Knoppow <dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
FWIW, the WD means Water Displacement. The stuff was originally designed to displace water in rocket engines. It works well for old style ignition systems that have gotten wet. Spray it inside the distributor and on the wires, etc. It will usually let the car start.
On 3/17/2016 9:20 PM, Chauncey Walden wrote:
On 3/17/2016 8:15 PM, Tim Daneliuk wrote:
Yes, you might as well send it on off as the WD-40 will gum it up when you least want it to. For lack of labeled "Naptha" you could have used a little lighter fluid or Coleman fuel.
Noooooooo. You never oil a shutter because it accumulates crud from the residue. You clean shutters with naptha because it leaves minimal residue.
--
Richard Knoppow
dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
WB6KBL
