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!
In some cases copper is used but brass is more common, as well as nickel and cadmium, or gold.
We have silver plated items, as well as carbon pots, and all kinds of conditions, voltages, and
intermingling of metals. Well at least its a start! The term contact cleaner implies
two things, either it cleans up some kind of oxide or by product, and or, cleans up
other contaminants or loose particles. I have reserved my testing to cleaning up oxide
and talked a little about possible lubrication properties.

Recommended For General Use--


Get some Bullfrog spray cleaner. MCM carries it. You HAVE to try this spray!
I would try to get some Contaclean
Get some Caig DeoxIt, the most widely distributed spray. Leaves a very slight film when dry.
Get a non residue cleaner or alcohol.
Get some Stabilant if you can afford it!

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