cleaning mixer

I've opened up my mixer and cleaned all the gain pots and faders with this stuff:
http://www.fullcompass.com/common/files/5337-ds-f5s-h6.pdf


The instructions on the can say to wait 2 minutes before powering on.

It's been quite a while and things still appear wet.

Am I missing something with these electronic cleaners?
Are they not conductive or something ?

Can I turn it on?

I stopped using stuff like this many years ago.

There are many reasons.

1) Most new gear simply isn't made to be cleaned and lubed with this stuff... especially the cheap "sealed" pots.  It seems like you were lucky or smart enough to have selected a product that doesn't actually melt and ruin the parts... which is something that can easily happen with the newer plastic housed parts. I've done that... and once was enough. :-)

2) Many times introducing lube to older units, the ones that are designed to be serviced, simply initiates a scenario where the lube attracts even more dirt and grime than was there originally... and then the noise slowly gets worse than it was before cleaning. The situation is like a cat chaing it's tail.

3) I have found that vigorously moving the fader or pot for an extended period of time is the most effective way to reduce and minimize the instances where movement causes noise.


Having said that, and I regret having such a contrary attitude for the situation you find your self in, I'd say that the "wetness" you are observing is simply the oily slime mess left by the mineral spirits listed as the vehicle in that clean and lube product. I suspect, but can't guaranty, that you can power up safely after just a few minutes just as the instruction claim.

The oily slime left by the mineral spirits will attract dirt and dust and eventually, if not sooner, you can consider cleaning it, or not, again.


best regards,
mike

Sorry I didn't mention this but, what I'm concerned about is that the slime also got on the circuit boards.

Still OK to power?

Hi Tim,
 I grew up just a little bit north of where you live.

 The salt in the air, near the Atlantic coast with the day after day stiff sea breeze blowing it into the mainland, is really hard on electronics.

 All you can do is try to keep the stuff alive the best you can.

all the best,
mike

****

That was an F word

Turned it on. No smoke yet.

Mike, 

I got it at guitar center. They had 2 varieties. I think the other one was for metal to metal or something. Anyway, The mixer works, the flying faders fly a little more quietly. Everything seems clean. 

It does leave a mess that still hasn't evaporated (on the desk holding the mixer).

I still don't understand how something liquid can be non-conductive? That's new to me.

Most of my old amps and guitars and anything else with a pot have lots of scratching going on. 
I just ignore/deal/wiggle with it.
The mixer was sort of driving me nuts though.

You have to be careful with that stuff. I usually just use electronic cleaner made for computers which also cleaned the pots of my old amp and cleans the computer circuit boards also. Usually deoxit is a step up from the other but it costs more and I think it is more for projects to clean up the circuit boards someone may be soldering together.

timidi




I still don't understand how something liquid can be non-conductive? That's new to me.

Pure water is actually a pretty good insulator of electricity.  It only becomes a conductor when impurities are added to it....such as salts. Most water we are familiar with (tap, stream, pond, rain) has sufficient impurities to start with that it is dangerously conductive. 


Voltage also plays a major role in how much current will flow with a given conductance.  Since most of the circuits we use these days are solid state to one degree or another, the voltages are in the 5 to 12 volt range and so there in not much electrical pressure or voltage to push the current across a slightly conductive substance. 


For example..... lay your dry arm across a car battery terminals.... 12 vdc.... and you won't feel a thing. BUT.... do that when you have been working under the hood and your arm is covered in salty sweat, and it's a whole different story.