scratchy pots on amp... How to clean them?

[BenoA]

My son's lil' solidstate Marshall has terrible scratchy pots/knobs... Is there a way to clean/fix this?

If yes, what to do and what to use? Thanks in advance.

[etepbbb]

Electronic contact cleaner. There may or may not be hole in the back of the pot to shoot it into. If thats doesn't work, buy a new pot, there cheap. Just make sure you get the right ohm value, as theres lots of different ones available.

[jdr94]

lay the amp with the back to the floor. pull the knob of and spray right where the post meets the body of the pot and turn back and forth. amp off and unplugged of course. repeat a few times, give it a min or 4, then cut it back on and it should be cleaned out

[Cygnus X1]

And DO NOT use WD-40.
Can't believe how many times I've seen that suggested.

ete and jdr are right, and rotate vigorously.

[Musician78]

What's wrong with the WD? That is what I have always heard.

[Hellbat]

What's wrong with the WD? That is what I have always heard.

WD contains solvents that can dissolve the carbon wiper contacts that make the pot work.

[Musician78]

Wow. Never knew that.

[BenoA]

Thanks everyone. Very appreciated. Will go get "electronic contact cleaner".

[Hellbat]

Try and find a contact cleaner with lubricants, they have stuff specifically designed for pots.

Something like this is the way to go.

http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/801b.html

[Chief_CrazyTalk]

It may be easier and better off in the long run to just replace them.

[roodyrocker]

WD contains solvents that can dissolve the carbon wiper contacts that make the pot work.

Not only that, but WD40 is oily and tends to hold lint and dirt. After a while that will affect the pot too

[The_Tonemonster]

Try and find a contact cleaner with lubricants, they have stuff specifically designed for pots.

Something like this is the way to go.

http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/801b.html

Is that the same stuff they used to call tuner cleaner?

[Hellbat]

It could have possibly been called tuner cleaner, but according to the white papers PPE lubricants have been in use for 20-30 years, which would put it's emergence at right around the time mechanical tuners were replaced with electronic phase locked loops.

This stuff is basically a quick evaporating solvent carrying a two percent PPE lubricant mixture. The lubricant gets deposited in a very thin layer on the device and the solvents will carry off other garbage as it evaporates.

[BenoA]

Working great guys! The lil' amp now sounds as good as new. Thanks for all the help.

Electronic shop was closed but went to a car shop, found some electrical contact cleaner with no oil residue and safe for plastics. Worked great.

[etepbbb]

I'm glad to hear it.