DIYbanter - View Single Post - A novice's questions about scratchy volume controls

MW

hr(bob) wrote:
On Mar 19, 10:57 am, ~db~® wrote:
Is there any point in trying to repair them, or is
it best to replace scratchy pots? If cleaning
them is a workable solution, how is this best
accomplished? What is the best cleaner to use?
Which would you avoid? TIA!

~db~®

Can you get at the part of the volume control that has three
terminals, or only from the front of the radio/tv set/whatever/ It is
almost impossible to do anything from the front. If you can get to
the back of the control where the three terminals are located, you can
spray tuner lubricant into the control throught the spaces where the
terminals go into the control. I have also sprayed naptha into
controls. After spraying, with the device UNPLUGGED, rotate the
control back and forth several times. Then allow the lubricant to
dry, at least 15 minutes, maybe more, and then use the device. The
lubricant will help loosen dirt that may be on the track, It may not
help, but it should not make things any worse. I have also sprayed a
little WD-40 when nothing else was available, it helpd noticeably.

H. R. (Bob) Hofmann

If you get DC through any of these things you get a scratchy volume control.
Check for screwed electro.

Another way to clean the pot, but not a long term solution is turn off
the set and turn the pot from end to end lots of times, it moves the
dirt about on the track.