Since Radioshack is EOL'ing, I no longer have a source for their Cleaner and Lubricant which I have found is marvelous for making controls and tuners work like new. Does anybody know a good substitute for this stuff?

I usually use this:

https://www.amazon.com/DeOxit-Cleaning-Solution-Spray-spray/dp/B0002BBV4G/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1490568529&sr=8-8&keywords=deoxit

not affiliated,
jr

Well I have a can of the "normal" Deoxit, but it doesn't seem to have any sort of lubrication agent. Maybe this stuff is different.

Down to my last 1/4 of the rat shack stuff myself and our store is LONG GONE...

SR

Early discussion of Deoxit vs R/S contact cleaners:

http://www.videokarma.org/showthread.php?t=65178

D-5 feels fairly oily to me, but sometimes I use Deoxit "Gold" or "Fader Lube" as needed.

jr

I was going to say good luck since the envirofreaks with their BS and watching out for these chemicals.

I'm glad that Amazon still has some left.

Well I have a can of the "normal" Deoxit, but it doesn't seem to have any sort of lubrication agent. Maybe this stuff is different.If some lubricant is needed after cleaning with the D5, I follow that up with a little shot of Caig's "Fader Lube".

Just about every distributor in the 80s and 90s had their own branded contact and tuner cleaner, courtesy of Rawn Chemicals. Their sales guys would hand out samples of cleaner spray to just about anybody that walked into the distributor. 6 weeks later, and folks were back to buy more.

MCM still carries the Rawn Contact Cleaner - I use it with my stuff, along with Caig D5 for other folk's stuff. The Rawn lasts 3X longer (bigger can), and works great:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/RAWN-11118-/20-2005

For totally degunking a tuner (too much tuner lube, disintegrated lube pad, frozen/dried out grease), this stuff from Caig works miracles:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/200-360?green=390B18C9-84A1-5FB7-9028-657063315CBF

I've used both products and recommend them - been working TVs for almost 40 years, and they are the best I've come across, save the stuff from Allied Chemicals, no longer in business (thanks Kepone....).

Stay away from Chemtronics - they change formulations without changing labels......

I looked on Caig's website, and apparently they made the "Cleaner and Lubricant" for Radio Shack. I bet it's wheel similar to one of the Deoxits. .

I use brake cleaner works mint and only 6 bucks a can.

Brake cleaner will melt plastics and dries out any lubricants in the pot. I use DeOxit D5 myself. For some applications, CRC Lectra Motive cleaner works very well also.

I use brake cleaner works mint and only 6 bucks a can.

I can get a can of De-Ox-Id (a cheaper and comparably effective alternative to deoxit) for that price.

I rather use a purpose made contact cleaner (especially around plastic and phenolic parts) where ever possible...In a pinch WD-40 will work as a control cleaner and lube. I also will use it whenever I encounter a stuck control shaft or a pot that badly needs some lube.

I used to always buy radio shack contact cleaner, but the last can was garbage. Now use MG chemicals products.

I used to always buy radio shack contact cleaner, but the last can was garbage. Now use MG chemicals products.
I had a can of DeOxit D5 one time but didn't like it because it is so oily. I just got a big can of MG Chemicals Electrosolve and tried it on my Sanyo's VHF tuner, fixed it right up. I tried Radio Shack's trash on it a while ago which made no appreciable difference. Before the Electrosolve treatment I couldn't keep it locked on a signal.

Seems Electrosolve is basically a purer form of Nu-Trol; no lubricating agent I know of so it doesn't leave oily crap everywhere. It's far cheaper too, and my can was about half the price of what Amazon has. It's popular stuff, there were no big cans left on the shelf at Jentronics, someone had to go into the stockroom to get more.

I also sprayed the tuner and just about every chassis connection in My Electrohome just for good measure. Next up are my receiver and oscilloscope.

I know a guy that used WD40 on controls and tuners..Is that a degreaser and screw up some plastics.

I remember getting in sets and see green stuff around the controls and tuner.I use to know what the stuff used and now draw a blank.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use WD-40 on contacts! It leaves deposits that will gum up contacts.

dup

I remember getting in sets and see green stuff around the controls and tuner.I use to know what the stuff used and now draw a blank.I remember some Blue Stuff I think it was called that was abrasive and you were supposed to follow up cleaning that out with the Blue Shower cleaner. Quite messy.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use WD-40 on contacts! It leaves deposits that will gum up contacts.

Thanks.Thats what I figure.


I remember some Blue Stuff I think it was called that was abrasive and you were supposed to follow up cleaning that out with the Blue Shower cleaner. Quite messy.

Maybe thats what it was.It looked greasy to me.