Can anybody recommend a contact cleaner?

[ThurzNite]

I was looking at this product and thought it was ok: http://shop.store.yahoo.com/webtronics/404b-340g.html
Does anybody have an opinion on it? Can somebody recommend a low cost contact cleaner? It would be nice if it had lubricant or dielectric properties. Thanx!
Jae

 

[Shooters]

You're looking for something to clean contacts like on expansion cards, DIMMs, etc?

A soft eraser and rubbing alcohol work well.

 

[dkozloski]

I agree with Shooters. Use a pencil eraser to clean off the crud and oxidation and finish up with rubbing alcohol or spot remover.

 

[woodie1]

*** It would be nice if it had lubricant or dielectric properties. ***

I like to use WD-40.

 

[thorin]

Originally posted by: dkozloski
I agree with Shooters. Use a pencil eraser to clean off the crud and oxidation and finish up with rubbing alcohol or spot remover.

I'll third that.

Thorin

 

[dkozloski]

woodie 1, the idea of a lubricant is to prevent metal-to-metal contact to prevent wear. The idea of cleaning contacts is to promote intimate metal-to-metal contact. Sounds like cross purposes to me.

 

[woodie1]

Originally posted by: dkozloski
woodie 1, the idea of a lubricant is to prevent metal-to-metal contact to prevent wear. The idea of cleaning contacts is to promote intimate metal-to-metal contact. Sounds like cross purposes to me.

I understand. It doesn't really clean but does lubricate and is conductive.

 

[ThurzNite]

actually, I was looking for a contact cleaner for automotive purposes...My idle's pretty funky and I think it's due to the connections. Everything checks out at the dealership (already did the 60k service, which cost a booty!) and they're outta ideas too.
The lubrication thing was to keep out moisture, like in headlight harnesses. Unfortunately, I can get an eraser into the headlight harnesses, so I was looking for something in a spray can.
So, any other ideas? thanx for the input so far!
Jae

 

[thorin]

Originally posted by: ThurzNite
The lubrication thing was to keep out moisture, like in headlight harnesses. Unfortunately, I can get an eraser into the headlight harnesses, so I was looking for something in a spray can.

WD-40 = Water Displacer - Formula 40

Thorin

 

[DonaldC]

Originally posted by: ThurzNite
actually, I was looking for a contact cleaner for automotive purposes...My idle's pretty funky and I think it's due to the connections. Everything checks out at the dealership (already did the 60k service, which cost a booty!) and they're outta ideas too.
The lubrication thing was to keep out moisture, like in headlight harnesses. Unfortunately, I can get an eraser into the headlight harnesses, so I was looking for something in a spray can.
So, any other ideas? thanx for the input so far!
Jae

WD-40 is good for that.

 

[hanginon]

For sealing and protecting contacts of connectors such as headlights and taillights, clean the contacts as best you can by whatever method you choose, several have been listed.
Before you plug it all back together, go to your nearest automotive store and buy a tube of dielectric compound and pack the connector with it before you plug it together. That is the pupose of dielectric compound, to seal out the elements so that further corrosion cannot happen. I have been using it for years on electrical connections on motorcycles.

 

[ShowdOWN]

 

[thorin]

Originally posted by: hanginon
For sealing and protecting contacts of connectors such as headlights and taillights, clean the contacts as best you can by whatever method you choose, several have been listed.
Before you plug it all back together, go to your nearest automotive store and buy a tube of dielectric compound and pack the connector with it before you plug it together. That is the pupose of dielectric compound, to seal out the elements so that further corrosion cannot happen. I have been using it for years on electrical connections on motorcycles.

Yup Dielectric grease is great for preventing corrosion on battery terminals (especially in northern climates) as well as other electrical connections that are open/exposed to the elements.

Thorin