"Ron(UK)" wrote in message
...
StellarTech wrote:
I assume you are referring to pcb-mounted momentary contact switches.
The best remedy I have found is WD-40. Use the nozzle tube and apply a
small amount right to the small gap where the actuator protrudes from
the housing. Then rapidly & repeatedly push the actuator about 20-30
times. You may have to apply the '40 more than once. And of course,
clean the PCB afterwards. I assume it's the foaming action of the WD-40
that allows it to get to the contacts in the switch. At any rate, it
usually does the trick.
Dont do this! Without wishing to start yet another WD40 war, the
damaging effects of WD40 on electronics are well documented. The
manufacturers of WD40 themselves do not advise applying their product to
electronic components.

There are plenty of products designed for the purpose of switch
cleaning.

Ron(UK)

Wow, I'm surprised to hear this. And I'm not being facetious. I can only
assume that this "war" raged on before I started reading this newsgroup.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm new here, just getting my feet
wet.
And my only intention is to pass along what I thought to be good advice.
I would like to hear more about the WD-40 debate (or skirmish), perhaps
you could drop a short new post? I would like to hear more. But I would
also
like to clarify my point. I serviced consumer electronics for 27 years
before
I retired due to disabilities (3 years ago), and I can't ever recall
having to
re-service any unit due to the use of WD-40. As I said, use only a small
amount of the product, applied right where it is needed. And cleaning up
afterwards. We're talking about miniature switches, handling only keyscan
pulses from a processor. And I certainly wouldn't expect or recommend
using it where higher power circuits are involved. It's just that I can't
visualize a small amount of WD-40 on the surface of a pcb causing a
problem.



It doesn`t so much damage pcbs, as certain components i.e. electrolyic
capacitors where it mirates up the legs and damages the seal leading to
failure. It also accumulates a residue beneath other components such as
i.c.s which can cause all sorts of spurious problems.

There have been several 'heated debates' on various newsgroups over the
years, culminating in one regular and respected poster, Lord Valve
actually emailing the manufacturers of WD40 for clarification as to
whether they approved of their product being used on electronic
components. The reply was a very definite NO.

A search of dejanews for WD40 should pull up plenty of interesting
reading - you may need a stiff drink first mind.

I realise that your advice was made with the best intentions, and that you
advised a sparing amount of WD40 be applied, but having worked for well
over 30 years in the repair of professional sound equipment, I've seen
much otherwise serviceable gear reduced to scrap due to the misguided (and
usually very liberal) application of WD40.

Ask yourself, or any of the people here who design and build electronics
for a living this, would you be happy to let Joe Public spray WD40 into an
item of equipment that you have a responsibility for?

OPMMV

It`s great on rusty nuts and spark plug leads tho.

Ron(UK)

Point well taken. Seen from that point of view, (and remembering all the
vcrs I've seen saturated with WD-40 because it was making a "squealing"
noise), I must admit you're correct. As one career tech to another, I'm sure
you can see my point. I sometimes forget that the "advice" to a novice
servicer can get waaaay out of hand. I stand corrected. But do you know of
ANY chemical product that would behave similarly, I.e. penetrate to the
carbon button & contacts, that wouldn't leave a residue? I would be leery to
use any aggressive solvents.