Cleaning bass/treble sliders on suitcase rhodes

[Commander Fluffypants]

Title says it... Bass slider in particular is very scratchy and there's distortion that goes away when I jiggle the slider (and then it eventually comes back.) Can I safely squirt DeOxit in there or do I need to open the whole thing up? And which DeOxit is best for the sliders?

Thank you!!

[Alan Lenhoff]

I think the answer is that disassembly and total cleaning is always the best solution.  But I have gotten great results using this on sliders for a Roland Juno-60:  https://www.amazon.com/Solution-Faderlube-Plastic-Controls-Sliders/dp/B01MXFA615/ref=sr_1_3?adgrpid=183626826702&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zmutQbZyASmJkknNAekriFXOurPVt-19wLAPdq2LSAT-7kuAy_c6nCUMqzeohT7EvOER-cw138mRBZHM0KE3zgyafWOll9FzhfhipvY6VmANJz0_ZEWavPDVXL_KYlxDZ4-ySlunwaiUPYSrCLsuQE8d7l4nAHyI-lpvGRkeiesCAKflgOjtzRXX2zG9iNMDGtyQyoYRuDcrjUpGCl_FVIw_WFtyhhc5P7arDcMFM-gZVn5-JBcUj2_CbZAsKX9BnPUCZEK7pFBqFZf-yhZwJ_EvC4wmOFQCcrlBfji540E.t5cepGlqeLoWgTs4DXn2a__Cuq-4tzJDsNGb9BGYcQU&dib_tag=se&hvadid=792682731982&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9016785&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=5230745823139865372--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5230745823139865372&hvtargid=kwd-1930921653815&hydadcr=18073_13827916_2396316&keywords=deoxit+slider&mcid=d0313f3b169a36a49549fcbd5c8e3639&qid=1774094813&sr=8-3

You can hardly tell from the photo, but these are VERY small tubes.

Alan

[Commander Fluffypants]

Thank you Alan.

I think what I'm specifically wondering is whether I could damage something with overspray. I can't see if the fader mechanism is partially enclosed or if there's anything nearby that could get damaged. It's interesting that the fader lube comes in a tube and not a spray like the other DeOxit that I have.

[Alan Lenhoff]

This video explains using the various Caig Lab Deoxit products to clean pots and faders. The short version is that you should use the F-series (F for fader) Dexoit products for sliders and pots, and not the D-5 contact cleaner sprays. They show the use of an F-series spray.  I suppose that's okay if you don't overdo it. But I'd rather carefully put a drop or two of liquid into a slider than spray something that could end up in places you don't need or want it to be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFP0vSJexFQ

Alan 

[Alan Lenhoff]

One other thought:  If your sliders are really dirty, the spray offers some flushing action. So, in that case, I can see some rationale for using the Deoxit F-5 spray carefully, rather than the F-100 liquid.

Alan

[gacki]

I must say that I'm always a bit confused about the various Caig products. For example the "F" series is advertised sometimes as applicable for both conductive plastic and for carbon controls; however looking at the individual descriptions it's always "conductive plastic".
I've been using F5 spray nonetheless on many carbon controls as well and it seems to work generally well. But sometimes you really need to disassemble the faders - just flushing them might not do it.

F5 spray provides flushing action, FaderLube doesn't. And then there's also FaderGrease. I've noticed that sometimes after cleaning faders (or pots where it's even more pronounced) that the controls lose their "mechanical resistance". Read: they are moved too easily. I believe applying FaderGrease should rectify that.

If everything else fails: I believe those faders still can be bought.

[Commander Fluffypants]

Thanks again Alan.

I had already checked that video out. I wasn't sure if that advice would apply to a fifty year old Rhodes or not. He mentions the faders in a controller being made of a plastic ribbon or something. Is a Rhodes fader the same technology/materials? Or does that matter?

I think I will start with the liquid. If that doesn't work, I'll try the F5 spray.