Cleaning ALPHA amp pots safely.

[ScottGB92]

Hi guys, I dismantled my amp head (Laney RB9) for the first time yesterday since purchasing. Tbh it wasn't as dirty/dusty as I thought it was.

Was at a gig this Saturday gone and my amp wasn't giving out sound, I got back and found I can only get sound if my volume knob is turned to 5.

I've heard people slate wd40 and deoxin. So was wondering what other peoples opinions are,
Many thanks, Scott.

 

[ScottGB92]

 

[honeyiscool]

Don’t use WD40. You want to use DeoxIT FaderLube on potentiometers. This cleans and lubricates moving parts.

 

[ScottGB92]

Don’t use WD40. You want to use DeoxIT FaderLube on potentiometers. This cleans and lubricates moving parts.

Thanks, hoping I haven't got a dead zone or two. I'll grab some deoxit and if that doesn't work I think a new pot will be in order haha

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Thanks, hoping I haven't got a dead zone or two. I'll grab some deoxit and if that doesn't work I think a new pot will be in order haha

I agree with Honeyiscool. Do not use WD40.

Sometimes the pots just get a little dirty in side and DeoxIT will help.
If it is a sealed pot, there really is no way to get any cleaner into it.
And since it is sealed that often means the problem is because the carbon track, that creates the resistance is wearing down.

With a non sealed pot, you can clean them by spraying, or dripping a little DeoxIT into the opening where the terminals enter the pot. This opening is also how dust, dirt, smoke can get in. So non sealed pots are kind if a two edged sword, in that stuff can get in but you can also try cleaning them. In a pinch, I've used alcohol. But the stuff you get at the drugstore has some water content and that's not good in the long run.

Cleaning may get you by for quite a while or it may not work at all. In my experience, the pot should eventually be replaced. YMMV on that though. It's never convenient to have to clean pots especially during a gig. And it's expensive to have them replaced. So always a good idea to gave a backup amp waiting in the wings and one you can gig while having the other serviced. Good luck.

 

[agedhorse]

Never use WD-40, nor would I recommend fader-lube either.

A tiny (translated, this mean a VERY small amount) of DeOxit D5 sprayed into the opening like the picture shows. Less is more.

In your case however, the symptom indicates that the pot is damaged, most likely a cracked resistive element. This can't be fixed with DeOxit.