WD40 Contact Cleaner?

[rschiller]

Deoxit D5 has been my standard for contact cleaner but getting pricey: c. $17 for 5 oz. Anyone using WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner? 11 oz > $8

 

[northernguitar]

I haven't tried it, but DeOxit is such a clearly excellent product, I buy it anyway.

 

[Ed Storer]

I haven't tried WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner, but I've used plain WD-40 as a contact cleaner. One of it's original uses was for the points of the ignition system that were wet and needed "water displacement". I've never had a problem with "oily residue" that many will cite as the reason for not using WD-40 to improve the performance of switches, pots, and connectors.

 

[Boreas]

I still use DeOxit, but most of it leaks at the nozzle on the rattle-cans. I use a different applicator now with essentially a syringe. I don't use it that much that it is much of a financial burden, but if half of the rattle can goes to waste, it certainly isn't worth it.

 

[corliss1]

And how long is that $17 can going to last you? What's your cost per spray, a penny? One can will last a normal person (as in, not a pro tech using it everyday) just about forever.

 

[Wally]

I have used WD40…regular WD40…on one pot. That pot was on a bass guitar and was not an immediately available part. Since the pot was frozen, there was nothing to lose you trying it. The WD40 brought the pot back to operation, and it is still,operating for the young fellow.
I wonder if the WD40 ‘contact cleaner’ is simply a rebadging job????
As for the water displacement in an ignition distributor, my dad taught me 60 years ago to use alcohol……does the job and evaporates almost immediately…carrying the water with it.

 

[Mowgli]

As was stated, WD = Water Displacement.

I’ve read and heard about WD-40 used as a metal lock lubricant- some assert that it collects dust/dirt/etc while others say they’ve never experienced such problems.

I am curious about this new WD product, too.

While the topic is being discussed, any opinions on “CRC” brand contact cleaner?

 

[__HKGuns__]

I know when regular WD-40 dries, it leaves a hard as rock cyrstaline substance. Some people like to use it as gun oil, it isn't meant for that either. I think I'd be careful of using it around electronics. The last thing I want is that crystaline substance in my pots.

No experience with the "contact cleaner" but would hope no residue is left to dry.

 

[Les H]

As was stated, WD = Water Displacement.

I’ve read and heard about WD-40 used as a metal lock lubricant- some assert that it collects dust/dirt/etc while others say they’ve never experienced such problems.

I am curious about this new WD product, too.

While the topic is being discussed, any opinions on “CRC” brand contact cleaner?

I have/had both the WD40 Electrical cleaner and the CRC Contact Cleaner.

Luckily I didn't use the CRC brand on any of my musical equipment but it melted the plastic I sprayed it near despite saying safe for "most" plastics. I don't know the difference between "most" and "some" plastics but I sure didn't want to experiment to find out either. Especially with tube sockets or plastic tube bases. To be fair my CRC experience is probably 15 years ago and maybe it's not as harsh as it was but I am not willing to try it again.

Now because of that experience with CRC I am hesitant to try the WD40 brand on plastics because once again I believe it says "safe on most plastics" but I have used it on potentiometers with as good of results as De-Oxit. I have sprayed it on Q-tips and 1/4 inch cable plugs for cleaning effects loop and input jacks with good results but I am not sure enough about it to stuff the nozzle down in there and spraying like it was on fire.

I can't remember if De-Oxit also says "safe for most plastics" but there has been enough positive promotion of that product on forums for years that I spray it without hesitation and maybe that's not the best approach to take but it seems to be well documented as being pretty safe for musical equipment.

For those curious the WD40 brand does not smell like or have any obvious similarities to normal WD40 and I think it is very close to De-Oxit in that it seems to evaporate fairly quickly and it hasn't damaged anything I have used it on.... Yet....

 

[Peegoo]

I stopped doing DeOxIt because it got all high-falutin' like Kroil. Overpriced.

I use CRC QD. I get it at Home Depot/Ace/True Value.

It's reasonably priced, it has no lube in it (which is what you want for potentiometers) and is quick dry--hence the QD name. It's alcohol based and it's safe for plastics.

 

[Intubator]

I still use DeOxit, but most of it leaks at the nozzle on the rattle-cans. I use a different applicator now with essentially a syringe. I don't use it that much that it is much of a financial burden, but if half of the rattle can goes to waste, it certainly isn't worth it.

Yeah, the aerosol cans are designed to make you buy more than you should, but I came up with a fix! A few years ago I had a can of D5 that was still about half full but depleted of pressure, so no more D5 coming out... I flipped the can over and drilled an 1/8" hole in the base close to the side and placed it over an empty glass spice jar and let it go, nozzle depressed to relieve pressure. Filled it about a third of the way up and for the last two years I've been dipping into the D5 jar either with Q-Tips or a 3cc syringe with a 22g needle on it. No more over or under applying and no more waste... I guess I would have gone through at least another can or two by now if I hadn't done this. The $15 price doesn't bother me as much now... Also, glad to be done with that ridiculous pop-up straw too!

 

[__HKGuns__]

I stopped doing DeOxIt because it got all high-falutin' like Kroil. Overpriced.

Man now you hating on Angel Piss! Yeah, that stuff is outrageously expensive, but some of the best gunsmith's swear by that stuff.

FWIW: The Lyle Caldwell dude uses regular WD40 to clean screws and plastic Fender knobs. I like to wipe them with a 16 year old Lagavulin to keep their vintage vibe and after all, they deserve the best.

 

[NoTeleBob]

As was stated, WD = Water Displacement.

I’ve read and heard about WD-40 used as a metal lock lubricant- some assert that it collects dust/dirt/etc while others say they’ve never experienced such problems.

I am curious about this new WD product, too.

While the topic is being discussed, any opinions on “CRC” brand contact cleaner?

Yeah, lots of people get a horrified look when you say you're going to use WD-40 on locks because it's "not for locks" and "it will attract dirt!" ... "only use graphite!".

You know what the factory put in your locks at the time of manufacture? Grease. Might be silicone grease or something equally kind of friendly, but grease. You think that "attracts dirt"?

I find WD-40 is an excellent product for old automotive locks and ignitions. That factory grease they put in there gets hardened after ten years. WD-40 will flush it out, along with accumulated dirt, and fix many a lock. Same for padlocks, etc.

The only downside that I find is that the remaining lube will show up on your key. You need to run it in and out a couple times, wiping it each time, to remove the excess.

 

[Dan German]

My years-old can of DeOxit is about to run out. I will probably get CRC QD, as it’s readily available around here, and DeOxit isn’t. I’ve used the CRC before, and it’s fine.