How can I fix a sticky potemtiometer?

[Aentons]

I was referring to ruining the resistive track. I just avoid Tayda as much as possible, frankly. Especially since the shipping rate hikes.

Ok, I see. You said "It's damping compound on the shaft, not the resistive track.". So assuming premium damping compound exist, flushing it on to the track could ruin it. Fair enough.

I was assuming the damping compound doesn't exist in the cheap pots

 

[Robert]

So, in your opinion, there's no real fix for the "cheap" pots?

It's weird because when I come across those pots that spin easily I get the impression of low quality.

I like a bit of resistance to my pots.

 

[Passinwind]

Ok, I see. You said "It's damping compound on the shaft, not the resistive track.". So assuming premium damping compound exist, flushing it on to the track could ruin it. Fair enough.

I was assuming the damping compound doesn't exist in the cheap pots

I'll take one or two apart and see, I have plenty of duff ones.

But if it's mung on the track, I'd expect that to manifest with noise as well. In any case, nothing against Tayda, I think they fulfill a very useful purpose and the shipping thing would seem to be out of their control.

 

[jwin615]

Someone at the Taiwan Alpha plant seems to love throwing that mechanical grease around. My recent pots have all been completely coated in it.
As other said, Deoxit. But F5/F100 is *technically* what should be used on pots/faders. F100S is basically a combo of the two in spray format(F100 was originally used with a dropper)
It's actually the only Deoxit recommended for conductive plastics.
D5 can eat at some plastics, so I've been told.
On carbon pots I use D5 followed by F100S. Amazon has a package with the two.
I would never use WD-40 on a pot.
And yeah. Deoxit is a little spendy, but a can will last a long time.

 

[Harry Klippton]

I switched to F5 a couple years ago for pots and just use D5 for jacks

 

[Erik S]

I switched to F5 a couple years ago for pots and just use D5 for jacks

What a gentleman.

I didn't even know jack lube was a thing.

 

[jwin615]

What a gentleman.

I didn't even know jack lube was a thing.

Usually just for the tip connection. Sleeve doesn't need it.
I'll see myself out.

 

[Aentons]

What a gentleman.

I didn't even know jack lube was a thing.

The important part is that D5 cleans the oxidation too

 

[DailyDovetails]

I have had good luck using the 2 of these. Not perfect but usually helps some. Works well on old scratchy pots also.

 

[finebyfine]

MG Chemicals 4140A works wonders for new sticky pots (and is very easy to DIY to save a few bucks: https://forum.pedalpcb.com/threads/whats-in-the-mailbox-📬-📦.12436/post-224726).

I imagine deoxit is better for pots that are sticky for other reasons, but I only ever really used deoxit on new pots before switching to IPA/heptane mixes