Questions & Answers

Q? (Cell phone issue): I’ve been having issue with my cell phone. At times when I have my headphones plugged in and I’m on a call, when I hit the connector by mistake, I lose the call. Can your product fix this problem?

A! Yes, absolutely. The cause of this, is oxidation on the metal surface. Sometimes the metal is making a connection and sometime not. Apply DeoxIT® D-Series on the connection.

You can use the DeoxIT® Cell Phone Kit, which is supplied with a small brush bottle and apply to the plug on the headphone cord, then just plug in.

Q? (Microcontroller sockets): I plan on using your DeoxIT D-Series onto microcontroller sockets/pins. How long it is going to prevent the oxidation on the socket pins?

A! For the first treatment, we recommended following the below guidelines, then spot check when you get to recommended re-treatment period.

Adjust to time of re-treatment.

Clean room = 10+ years

Average = 5+ years

High humidity/coastal = recommend re-treating every 2+ years

High pollution/industrial = recommended re-treating 1+ year.

Q? (Grease for disconnects): We want to purchase a grease for disconnect panel main input lugs that have oxidation on the surfaces. We have tried other lithium greases without success. What do you recommend.

A! We can recommend two possible solutions.

a) For surfaces with slight oxidation on the metal surfaces, apply our DeoxIT® L260 Plus Grease Spray (Part No. L260DNp) – which does both, dissolves oxidation, improves current flow and lubricates surfaces.
b) If the metal surfaces are severely oxidized, first apply the DeoxIT D-Series (Part No. D5S-6 or DN5S-6N), then apply one of our DeoxIT L260 Grease with particles. For example; if metals on lugs are copper, use Part No. L260Cp (with copper particles). If lugs are aluminum; use Part No. L260Ap (with aluminum particles). If lug material is unknown or a mixture, use L260Qp (with quartz particles). The particles help break up the oxidation and corrosion.

Q? (Electronic locks): Electronic locks not working, Help! We install and service many electronic locks and controllers, mostly on industrial and institutional applications, that are exposed to the elements and have a terrible time with oxidation and corrosion on contacts. It gets so bad in some areas (coastal locations or on marine equipment), the locks/equipment totally stops working. What do you recommend?

A! Electronic locks and equipment are very sensitive to even minor amounts of oxidation, especially in salt/humidity environments or outdoors, i.e. utility company cabinets, parking meters, apartment complexes, etc. The two products to solve most, if not all your, issues are the DeoxIT® D-Series and our DeoxIT® Grease Type L260D, which is a lithium grease infused with DeoxIT® D-Series. Use the DeoxIT® D-Series on electrical connections that are NOT directly exposed to the elements. Use the DeoxIT® Grease L260D on exposed electrical connections; i.e. Antenna connections, coax connections, etc.

Q? (Flexible spray tube): Do you have a flexible tube that stays bent when you form it? The straight only straw sometimes has to be bent in such a way that it takes two hands to get it where it has to go and you can’t get to the spray button.

We have the Flexible Extension Straws for the Perfect Straw cans (part no. CL-EXT-PS2). However, it doesn’t stay bent the way you form it, you have to hold/press the end to have it bent. You can hold it with one hand/finger, while the other hand press the spray button.

More Details

Q? (Carbon Pots.): I know DeoxIT is good to clean anything with metal to metal contacts. But what do I use to clean the potentiometers that are carbon?

A: Our DeoxIT® Fader is formulated for faders.

Depending on how much “feel” you want, use either the F5S-H6 or F100S-L2 sprays.

Then if you want more tactile feel, use the DeoxIT® Fader Grease, DFG-213-8G

Q? (Camera batteries): AA batteries left in Canon PowerShot camera for about 6 months leaked. Camera shop clerk cleaned the contacts and the camera works, but he suggested using DeoxIT to spray inside and let it drip out to remove the rest of the corrosion. He didn’t say that you have several products and so now I see I need to know which one to order.

A: I would not spray into camera – you could get solvent or DeoxIT® into areas where you do NOT want.

The DeoxIT® will clean and improve electrical connections (like the battery connector terminals).

Either use our DeoxIT® D100L-2DB or similar 100% applicator or spray the can you have onto a lint-free swab and dabbed the connections.

Q? (Roland switches): I have a Roland TR-909 and the tactile button switches are stuck. I used the DeoxIT cleaner and it worked until it dried. What do I need a lubricate?

A: The DeoxIT® D-Series should work, you can try the 100% spray (Part No. D100S-2), or try the DeoxIT® Fader F-Series, it has a different lubricant, Part No. F100S-2 (100% spray, no solvents.)

Q? (Volume pots): I need to know which product which would be the best to clean volume pots on musical equipment.

A: For most volume pots, use the DeoxIT® D5S-6 or DN5S-6N (DN5S-2N). For slide switches/pots, conductive plastics, probably the best choice is the DeoxIT® Fader F5S-H6.

Q? (Auto Hi-Fi): I’m planning to refurbish the contacts of my old car-hifi system. Is it a good 3-day practice to use first the D-Series for cleaning the contacts, then the G-Series for the golden contacts and at last to seal them with the S-Series? Or is it a disadvantage to mix up the products this way? The car is exposed to the mid-European weather the whole year, so moisture and fast temperature changes is a problem even inside of it.

A: In most cases using the DeoxIT® D-Series for general purpose should be sufficient. On gold surfaces, if the surface is dirty, pre-clean with DeoxIT® D-Series, then follow with DeoxIT® Gold G-Series. Only under very severe conditions, you can follow the D-Series with the DeoxIT® Shield S-Series.

Q? (Vacuum tubes): I own vacuum tube home audio preamplifiers. The amplifier in particular runs pretty hot due to 8 KT120 power tubes, as do the smaller 12au7 signal tubes. The preamp gets warm with the 2 5ar4 rectifier tubes & 12au7 signal tubes. Total of 22 tubes combined. I purchased your vacuum tube survival kit (SK-GXMD). I am wondering if the DeoxIT Gold GXMD 100% solution that came with it can also be used on my male& female RCA connections on both my gear & interconnects, also my banana connectors on my speaker cables & binding posts? I know the Gold GXMD is for higher temp applications, but will it work for my other connections? I think the VTSK is fantastic! If my contacts& connections are clean, do I really need to use the DeoxIT D25L? I use it mainly on my tube pins, which is where most if not all the oxidization & crud occurs.

A: Yes, the DeoxIT® Gold GxMD can be used on other contacts. However, it does not have any cleaning or deoxidizing capabilities. So, if there is any oxidation on contacts/connectors that you want to use on, I would use the DeoxIT® D25L first. Just apply and leave on for a few minutes, to overnight if oxidation is severe, then wipe off and apply the GxMD. If surfaces look very clean, just apply the D25L, then leave on for 5 minutes, wipe and apply the GxMD.

Q? (Nikon and Audio Equipment): Need direction on best products to purchase/use for internal cleaning (amps, integrated amps, circuit boards, connection points for all external cables, pots, switches, etc. Plus, a product that is plastic friendly.

A: For Nikon or other camera equipment, I would use (and I do) the DeoxIT® Gold G100L-2DB brush bottle and the G100P Pen on any lens or camera contacts.

For any cables or connectors away from sensitive surfaces, I would use either one of the DeoxIT® D-Series sprays (my favorite is the DN5S-6N or DN5S-2N).

For audio/video equipment: Use the DeoxIT® Gold G-Series on all gold surfaces, then use the DeoxIT® D-Series on all other surfaces.

Choose an applicator dependent on how sensitive the components or surfaces are. Usually, I keep handy one spray, one brush bottle, one wipe container and lint-free accessories. Sometimes the Pen, for harder to reach areas (computer DIMMs, boards) which also provides a little abrasive action on really dirty contacts.

Q? (AC Power Cords): I just got a little bottle of DeoxIT® Gold on my hand. I understand it’s a good for connection between connectors e. RCA, XRL plugs. I am wondering whether it could be applied in AC power cord, say put on the AC wires direct. The reason why I asked, I saw some hifi factory terminated cable with some liquid on the wires between connectors. Unsure, DeoxIT Gold would be for this too.

A: Yes, the DeoxIT® Gold or the DeoxIT® D-Series can and should be used on power connections too.

They will remove oxidation and decrease the resistance, thereby increasing current flow and even reducing the temperature of the plugs/cables.

Q? (Camera bodies and lenses): Which product(s) do you recommend to maintain clean contacts on pro camera bodies (D4s and D500) and pro lenses (300mm f4 and 500mm f4)? Would the D-Series be sufficient or is the Gold G-Series more adapted? Also, if I use the pen, is the spray redundant?

A: We recommend DeoxIT® Gold Pen (G100P) and brush bottle (G100L-2DB) on the lens and camera contacts. Also, ideal for flash and battery contacts – if you apply on battery contacts and charger contacts, you will increase the amount of shots per charge.

When DeoxIT® is applied, it allows the battery charger to increase the amount of power into the batteries, thereby allowing them to last longer.

The pen provides a bit of abrasive cleaning which helps with removing any oxidation. Just wipe off excess with a lint-free swab.

For traveling, we recommend the DeoxIT pen and the small brush bottle, and a few wipes.

Q? (Makie, high humidity): I have a Mackie powered mixer that is several years old. I play music on deck and Tiki bars on the Gulf of Mexico. Several of the channels on the mixer started underperforming and then stopped working. You were recommended to me by a sound tech. I am wondering, what is the best product to use for XLR inputs that may have been affected by the salt air? Thanks.

A: Use the DeoxIT® D-Series for external connections; DN5S-6N

Use the DeoxIT® Fader for faders and carbon pots.: F5S-H6

Q (Car batteries and more): I use your DeoxIT® D-Series and DeoxIT® Gold G-Series products on my audio/video and computer systems. I have a 12 years old car and this is the first time that I have to change battery. Since your products are so excellent in the audio field, I thought to clean the oxidized termination in the car with the red DeoxIT® and then later put the yellow/gold on it. Do you recommend this? This shouldn’t be a crazy idea, since I just found this entry and this guy did the same: http://store.caig.com/s.nl/ctype.KB/it.I/id.577/KB.240/.f So, can I use them on the new battery and the old termination? Do you recommend to put any grease between the termination wire and the new battery or the DeoxIT is enough?

A: Generally, you can use the DeoxIT® D-Series and the NEW DeoxIT® Grease L260D (grease infused with DeoxIT® D100L), http://store.caig.com/s.nl/it.I/id.100/.f , on most of the connections in auto, truck, marine and other motor vehicles and heavy equipment. Use the DeoxIT® D-Series on all electrical connections. Use the DeoxIT® Grease L260D as an additional environmental barrier on connections exposed to the elements. Use the Grease on all mechanical connections too. The only exception would be to use our DeoxIT® Gold G-Series on all gold connections, (circuit boards, etc.) that are usually in the dash area.

Q? (Auto connections): I am going to use your DeoxIT® D-Series product on my electrical connections specifically the wiring for my turn signals, brake lights, & headlights. My car is a 1976 Datsun 280 Z car. I have no idea if the wiring has been cared for, I have had the car only 2 years. Again I am 74 yr old lady, so my Z is a blessing to me. My 2nd Z car, the first was a 1971. I want to do things right for her, but having little mechanic ability. So, I ask. I have already purchased the DeoxIT® Spray, DN5S-6N. So you said I only need to treat one side and then re connect them, right? Thanks for your help, I love my car!

A: Z cars are great cars. Never had the pleasure of owning one; however, my friends have.

Yes, the DeoxIT® DN5S-6N is ideal for your use, and, yes, you just have to apply the DeoxIT® to one side of the connection. Once you insert them together (I would insert twice, to help break up oxidation and displace away from the connections), the DeoxIT® will migrate to the other connection and clean/protect the other side.

Good luck!

Q? (Motorcycle connections): I own a company that services motorcycles, plus older BMW and Mercedes vehicles which have continuing problems in the fuse box connections to pin type fuses. Have used Stabilant 22 in the past with very marginal success, but it is hard to use and hard to find. Do you have any products to help?

A: Absolutely, our DeoxIT® D-Series is ideal for most connections. With Stabillant 22, it is actually a grease mixed with alcohol solvent, once the alcohol dries it leaves a grease on the connection. We don’t recommend greases on any surface that is subject to vibration. Over time the grease separates from the connections. Also, Stabillant does not dissolve oxidation or corrosion on the surface. DeoxIT® will dissolve oxidation, improve contact, protect surface and is a liquid and ideal for moving and stationary connections.

Use the DeoxIT® D-Series on all electrical connections. Use the DeoxIT® Grease L260D as an additional environmental barrier on connections exposed to the elements. Use the Grease on all mechanical connections too. The only exception would be to use our DeoxIT® Gold G-Series on all gold connections, (circuit boards, etc.) that are usually in the dash area.

Q? (Use DeoxIT® D-Series and/or DeoxIT® Gold G-Series on Gold surfaces.): I want to make sure I am clear on how things work so I can select the correct products. I am not clear on how the DeoxIT® D-Series spray product compares to the DeoxIT® Gold G-Series spray product for deoxidizing /cleaning properties. Since both products have the same amount of solvent I assume it’s referring to the main ingredient’s action. Please let me know if that is not correct. Does this apply for non-ferrous metals? In other words, will I get a better cleaning action using D5 on a non-ferrous metal? Is so can I apply D5 followed by a DeoxIT® Gold G5 product in certain applications. I received the DN5 spray. This stuff is great and will be extremely handy for several situations. Thanks!

A: The 5% sprays have a DeoxIT® concentrate (5%), solvent 75%, and propellant, 20%. The “solvent” is used as the flushing ingredient – used to remove surface contamination (dirt, grease, dust, etc.), it will help displace those contaminants. The solvent also has wetting action (more with the D5S-6, G5S-6, F5S-6)(less with the DN5S, GN5S and FN5S). Refer to the video: https://caig.com/deoxit-spray-selections/

The DeoxIT® concentrates (D100L, G100L, F100L) have different ingredients and characteristics. Per your question, the DeoxIT® D-Series, D100L, has a 20% deoxidizer/cleaner in the formula to remove oxidation.

The DeoxIT® Gold G-Series, G100L, has 0.5% deoxidizer/cleaner in the formula to remove minor amounts of oxidation. Since old surfaces usually have minor amounts of oxidation (due to soft surfaces and dendrite corrosion), it needs more enhancing and protection.

So yes, you can use both. If the surfaces are severely oxidized (visually see the oxidation), leave the DeoxIT® D-Series on for an hour or overnight depending on how severe. Then apply DeoxIT® Gold G-Series.

Best way to determine if DeoxIT® D-Series has done the complete cleaning;