My testing included: Bullfrog, WD-40, Caig DeoxIT, Cramolin Contaclean, GC De-Ox-Id, MG NU-TROL, Rawn cleaner, Alcohol, and Stabilant/alcohol (not shown)
I got a copper PC board that's been around a while for the simple test. The test
involved covering a cotton swab with the liquid, lightly brushing the copper board.
I let it sit for a few minutes, also then applying heat from a hair dryer to try and evaporate
the remnant oily remains. Cramolin Contaclean refused to dry, winning the lubrication battle.
The Stabilant soultion also seemed to remain, allthough it was highly thinned with my test mixture.
To get rid of the remnant oils, I sprayed the Rawn degreaser, but still had to make a quick swipe
with an alcohol rag to get rid of everything. The films on Bullfrog and Stabilant were
the hardest to remove. I am going to give a winner to this contest for the brightest
copper. Only the Rawn cleaner and the alcohol did not have any kind of oily remains,
however the Caig DeoxIT, dried very fast with no visible oil after a short time. I don't think
you want the Caig for any long lasting lubrication, although this can only has a 5% real
D5 content. There were two outstanding visible traces on the copper board. The winner
or winners would certainly seem to be from Stabilant and the Bullfrog product. I'll give Stabilant the
pad on the back. Cramolin Contaclean came in third. Another surprise, Rawn held it's own along with
the plain alcohol, but they don't have any effect without that wiping effect of the cotton swab. Just
putting them on the board had no effect. I never really thought Stabilant could actually clean anything, but
apparently does react with the metal. I could not try pure Stabilant, only the mostly alcohol mixture, 2-3%
at most. I must say I like the Bullfrog product. Smells like candy. Its also supposed to remain
or evaporate inside enclosures protecting other components. Bullfrog sells another product specifically
for this in the form of evaporation pads.
From a privious test a while back, I noted Contaclean after sitting on
the board for a few days, seemed like it was getting sticky. This might
prove to be a problem on open areas. Cramolin does recommend removing the product
with cleaner after working it in, and then apply "Protect".
I was also playing around with a vial of Caig D5 pure. I wish this stuff was not so red!
I would also like to test some of my old R-100 red cleaner
Perhaps in the future, I will also test a silver plate. I don't know of anyway to test nickel or
other exotic metals. I tried to make a comparison of the dirt left from the cotton swabs,
but could not tell a whole lot. DeoxIT was the only fluid that was not clear, and the cotton swab
was left all red. Besides, the fluid left sitting on the board form all the tested cleaners, may
react with the board after swiping.
So whats this have to do with cleaning switches, pots, or connections. In some cases nothing!