[Milsurplus] Contact Cleaner

[KD7JYK DM09]

: residue burn off and then the  switch operate better mechanically
: which would

I't been a couple decades...  I tried WD-40, since that's what everyone else 
did...  I had an oily mess to start which left a dust and lint collecting 
residue.  Over time, entire assemblies could disappear under the crud that 
accumulated.  Sometimes it turned into a gummy, tar-like mess.  On high 
voltage circuits even more collected and heat/arcing would make a gummy, 
tar-like burned mess that was more like tossing iron filing filled salt 
water into my equipment, then dripping wax and roofing tar into it for good 
measure.  I honestly don't know who came up with the WD-40 idea, I don't 
think it's a good one.

Depending on the surface, I use 91% rubbing alcohol, solvents like laquer 
thinner or acetone and to polish contacts, there used to be on the market 
little green or pink abrasive squares made just for that purpose.  In some 
cases I also run a strip of white typing paper through contacts, it's a good 
abrasive without tearing things up.

Kurt