Topic: cleaning of connectors...deoxit?

[ellaguru]

ok geeky taper friends..

   do you clean your mic cables, home stereo cables, all connectors, etc?  ive been doing a little reading up on it and was wondering what folks do around here.  ive used deoxit before on a guitar amp and read that product will clean all audio connectors quite well.  i have used some of that tv tuner cleaning stuff on other electronics, but found that one w. the oil in it leaves a mess even after small applications.   

thanks
chris

[fmaderjr]

I never even thought of cleaning XLR cable connections, but this is what I do with troublesome 1/8 plugs and jacks (quoted from guysonic's website):

Clean & recondition noisy mic. jacks with 91 - 99% pure isopropyl alcohol.  Repeatedly insert a headphone type plug soaked to the point of dripping (filling the alcohol bottle cap and dipping only the metal part of the mini-plug works well) into the mic. jack until any connection noise disappears.  Monitor the progress with a set of headphones while the deck is in a record function.  Rotating the microphones plug should not produce audible noise with cleaned and conditioned contacts.   Applying a contact conditioner to already cleaned plug and jack metal parts (Stereo retailer & Sonic Studios available Pro-Gold by Caig Labs works great) once to several times a year will help protect contacts from corrosion/wear and from producing noise for much longer between cleanings.     

CAUTION ADVISED: AVOID PLACING CONTACT CLEANER ON ANYTHING BUT THE METAL CONNECTOR PARTS; Plastics can be softened,  discolored, and even dissolved!  This may actually coat the very metal contacts intended for cleaning!   Fortunately,  deck input jacks are reasonably resistant to alcohol and most ‘plastic safe’ cleaners when used occasionally and with care.

WARNING: Never spray anything into the jacks on a deck.   Most Mini-DECK jacks are not the enclosed type anymore, but are open, allowing sprays to go where they can cause mechanical problems with the tape transport mechanisms and coat the tape heads.  Use the method described above with the mini-plug OR purchase a special insertable cleaning brush from CAIG or Sonic Studios (a round shaver cleaning brush may also be used with careful attention to the delicate nature of these mini-jacks).

[DigiGal]

I use Caig's DeoxIT line of products.  Good stuff

http://store.caig.com/

[Church-Audio]

Deoxit GOLD is the only way to go.. If you want your contacts cleaned properly.


Chris

[Chuck]

Deoxit GOLD is the only way to go.. If you want your contacts cleaned properly.


Chris

Another vote here for DeOxiit Gold.
I just got done treating all my cables and connectors. I clean them once or twice a year.

I've also started to use it on audio path wire/ connector joints when I solder.

I bought 1 can a bunch of years ago. I spayed about half of that cans worth into a well sealed glass jar.
Now, I have some left over in the can to spray onto things, when needed, and I also have some that I can apply with Q-Tips or pipe cleaners from the liquid in the jar.

[Church-Audio]

Deoxit GOLD is the only way to go.. If you want your contacts cleaned properly.


Chris

Another vote here for DeOxiit Gold.
I just got done treating all my cables and connectors. I clean them once or twice a year.

I've also started to use it on audio path wire/ connector joints when I solder.

I bought 1 can a bunch of years ago. I spayed about half of that cans worth into a well sealed glass jar.
Now, I have some left over in the can to spray onto things, when needed, and I also have some that I can apply with Q-Tips or pipe cleaners from the liquid in the jar.

You are not using this on a joint that you are about to solder are you?

[Chuck]

I use it after, to clean the flux on the connection.

[Church-Audio]

I use it after, to clean the flux on the connection.

No!!!!    use 100% alcohol + tooth brush works very well. And its way cheaper...

[Chuck]

I use it after, to clean the flux on the connection.

No!!!!    use 100% alcohol + tooth brush works very well. And its way cheaper...

Yeah, in the past I always used denatured alcohol, and I still use alcohol and a stiff toothbrush on circuit boards. I use the ProGold very sparingly. Usually applied with Q-tips. I bought one can a bunch of years ago and have not used it all up yet! I also have a can of the original DeOxit, that I rarely use, because I treat the cables I use once or twice per year. If I was doing a lot of wiring, like you probably do, it would not be economical to use the expensive stuff. But for what I do it works fine.

I don't believe the claims of it working miracles and increasing clarity and all that crap. It's a good product to use to keep your connections free of crud though.