Cleaning old pots

[JB_From_Hell]

My dad let me borrow his '62 Les Paul. It sounds incredible, and gives me the warm fuzzies to be back on the same rig I started with (14 year old me didn't quite pick up on how awesome the LP/Super Reverb combo was)..

However, the pots are rather scratchy now. If it were my Fender, I'd spray CRC or whatever contact cleaner, spin the knobs and be on my way. Since this is all original wiring, I wouldn't mind some advice on what to use.

 

[DeadandBuried]

Re: Cleaning old pots

I use Servisol contact cleaner on my 1998 strat's pots, as if left unused the volume and tone pots get a bit scratchy so a good ol' spray out underneath the scratch plate sorts it out.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Cleaning old pots

I've never hesitated to use contact cleaner. Is the concern that it could make anything in the pot brittle/break?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Cleaning old pots

I've never hesitated to use contact cleaner. Is the concern that it could make anything in the pot brittle/break?

I'm being overly paranoid because all the electronics on this guitar are original and undisturbed, and I'd really rather not mess something up out of ignorance.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Cleaning old pots

I use Servisol contact cleaner on my 1998 strat's pots, as if left unused the volume and tone pots get a bit scratchy so a good ol' spray out underneath the scratch plate sorts it out.

What
Spray under the pickguard?

contact cleaner of any sort would most likely damage a finish
be careful where you spray it

electronics on the strat and the LP are the same

doosh them out good with contact cleaner
avoid the finish

all will be well

 

[GibSG]

Re: Cleaning old pots

For a perfect result use CONTACT CLEANER AND LUBRICANT , NOT ONLY CLEANER .

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Cleaning old pots

For a perfect result use CONTACT CLEANER AND LUBRICANT , NOT ONLY CLEANER .

United 101
I think CRC sells it

 

[Mincer]

Re: Cleaning old pots

I would try contact cleaner first. But this is a 50 year old guitar, and it might not work. There are people who re-build old pots though (I don't think it is too hard).

 

[Artie]

Re: Cleaning old pots

My favorite cleaner/lube for decades has been Caig Labs Deoxit. Amazing stuff.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Cleaning old pots

i use deoxit as well. i also have their lubricant but i only use that for stiff turning pots. using deoxit on old pots shouldnt hurt anything at all. the fact that you have a '62 lp/sg to play (even if its your dads) is very very cool. does it have the side pull trem?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Cleaning old pots

i use deoxit as well. i also have their lubricant but i only use that for stiff turning pots. using deoxit on old pots shouldnt hurt anything at all. the fact that you have a '62 lp/sg to play (even if its your dads) is very very cool. does it have the side pull trem?

No side pull. It's the ebony block Vibrola. PAFs, too. It had a neck reset about 15 years ago, and a small spacer to fix the scale length. It was wrong from the factory. Value-wise, that was probably a bad move, but it's never getting sold, so who cares. He bought it at a garage sale in '75 for $190.

I'll post some pics once I relearn how to upload them here.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Cleaning old pots