Topic: Using carb cleaner instead of electrical contact cleaner

[SOHC4ever]

Can someone talk me out of or in-to using carb cleaner instead of electrical contact cleaner to clean the contacts in a stereo amplifier? It all smells like solvents, right?

[simon#42]

dont do it !!!!   carb cleaner is too strong it can melt plastic and will cause all sorts of problems if it gets in the amp

[bucky katt]

it also leaves a residue

[BobbyR]

The question is what contacts are you cleaning. For noisy controls the last resort is WD-40, yep WD-40. I know a shop that reapir exotic gear and they wil use WD-40 iif the  pot is dirty and not in need of replacement. Carb cleaner is way to harsh. Simple contact clearner from Home Depot is fine CRC makes it. Check for a plastic warning since some meant for cleaning higher current copper contacts.

[Johnie]

I always use "zero" residue electronics cleaner. That gives me peace of mind. Agreed, do not use carb cleaner on those.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

If you have a Guitar Center around go to the keyboard area and ask for DE-OXIT. 16$ for a can, great stuff.

[Mdub]

DE-OXIT is da' bomb! If  you go to an electronics supply, they have different flavors (safe for plastic etc.)
While you're there, get a tube of silicone grease. Much cheaper and exactly the same as dielectric grease.
Then go through all of your connectiions, especially the black to the reg. and the yellows from the stator.
Great peace of mond.
Mikel

[BobbyR]

DE-OXIT is da' bomb! If  you go to an electronics supply, they have different flavors (safe for plastic etc.)
While you're there, get a tube of silicone grease. Much cheaper and exactly the same as dielectric grease.
Then go through all of your connectiions, especially the black to the reg. and the yellows from the stator.
Great peace of mond.
Mikel

That is great advice for a bike and people should follow it. He was talking about a Stereo amp. 

[TwoTired]

Can someone talk me out of or in-to using carb cleaner instead of electrical contact cleaner to clean the contacts in a stereo amplifier? It all smells like solvents, right?

All solvents are the same just like all vehicles are the same.

...And, if it looks and smells like water it must be safe to drink. 
Are you a fan of natural selection?
Did you know that water is described as the "universal solvent", as most every solvent action is compared to it, and it was likely the first one in to be used by mankind as a solvent.

Carb cleaner won't hurt the metal parts inside the stereo.  But, you might want to inventory the bits inside the stereo that aren't metal, many of which were formed using solvents.
So, if you wish to re-form all those parts that aren't metal, carb cleaner is perfect!

If you want to clean electrical components, use a solvent that is safe for the plastics used within them.
BTW, WD-40 is NOT safe for all plastics used in the electronic/electrical industry.  Some, yes.  All, no.
If your parts are expendable, you could try WD-40 anyway.  But, I won't, based on past experiments gone awry. IMO

Cheers,