Stiff pots?

[Fama]

Not really directly pedal related, but it could be.

A volume pot on one of my guitars is pretty stiff. I'm wondering if there's some tried and true method to fix it? What I found by googling is letting the pot soak in lighter fluid overnight, but that seems kinda overkill, plus I would need to buy lighter fluid and then dispose of it safely afterwards. Any good tips to avoid doing that, preferably something where I don't have to remove the pot?

I've got at least electronic contact cleaner, WD-40 and silicone lubricant, although I'm not sure how easy it is to get any of those inside the pot itself.

 

[jwin615]

If the knob isn't too low and the nut isn't too tight, then deoxit is the way.
D100 or D5. D100 is 100% mixture, so tiny spritz. D5 is 5% for cleaning like it's brake cleaner.
I wouldn't recommend the F series for pots unless they are sealed. It's easy to overdo it and eventually dust, smoke etc starts building up. Don't use deoxit gold on pots/conductive plastics. It's made for metal(hence, gold).
If you cary a gig repair bag, having a small can (DN5S-2N)of deoxit D5 is a good add in. It also works wonders on whatever goop tayda dips their pots in.
I wouldnt use lighter fluid, wd40 and some electronic cleaners can eat at conductive plastics so RTFM on that.
I don't know how nitro finishes react to it so use caution there.

 

[pingpongcomputer]

+1, I use F5 for conductive plastic pots, mostly in newer hifi stuff, and D5 for everything else. Guitar pots are usually carbon so D5 is the way to go, it's expensive, but a can lasts a pretty long time. My current can has made it through five 1960's hifi stereo rebuilds plus general household use because I'm too dumb to remember to buy wd40.

 

[Ginsly]

I'll also add to go VERY light with whatever Deoxit you choose to use, especially the sprays. A little can go a long way, and can actually clear out the GOOD dielectric grease in a pot - whether on a guitar, amp, or old stereo. Then you have very little or no resistance, which can actually be worse than stiff pots! I usually try this first before any of the sprays, when applicable: