How to clean stereo receiver pots . Vacuum and brush. Access looks difficult. Some issues are relatively simple to fix, while others may require more technical expertise. If that doesn't work, use the Deoxit sparingly. Learn about cleaning knobs on vintage audio Oct 20, 2024 · Common Issues with Vintage Audio Equipment Vintage audio gear—whether it’s amplifiers, turntables, receivers, or tape decks—can develop several types of problems over time. Discover step-by-step instructions and expert tips to keep your stereo system in top condition. Typical Do it Yourself DIY video guide. Try compressed air or a no-residue contact cleaner first. comSUB This is quite possibly the easiest vintage stereo repair that ANYONE can do. Deoxit should then be used on the pots and switches at the end. htmore How to Clean the Potentiometers on Your Audio Equipment If you have a dirty potentiometer, you probably will find out about it from the scratchy sounds your equipment will make when you adjust the volume control. Nov 26, 2018 · The Marantz 2238b has the following pots and switches to clean: Five pots to clean: Bass, Mid, Treble, Balance and Volume (the most important). Apr 7, 2009 · Clean all the RCA jacks and speaker terminals with the Q-Tip and isopropyl alcohol. THE TRACK IS VERY DELICATE AND HAS A FINATE LIFE SPAN. Amplifier and Receiver Cleaning, Pots Cleaning, DC Bias Setting, Cracking Volume Control etc Michael Yates 12. Spraying De-oxit through the front is basically a waste of time. THis is a very nice sounding vintage receiver and I am very pleased with the sound, including phono section, but I think the pots need cleaning. Volume, Bass, treble & Balance controlMay notice a channel cutting out or crackli My take on cleaning potentiometers on vintage receivers, amplifiers, cassette decks, reel to reels, tuners, etc. Feb 24, 2004 · IF THE RECEIVER IS VINTAGE THE POTS WILL BE EARLY CARBON TRACK OR WIREWOUND. This is a how to demonstration video on the best method I have personally found on cleaning these vintage stereo faceplates. Clean everything you can easily access. Oct 22, 2018 · Four pots to clean: Volume, Selector, Treble, Bass Four push button selectors to clean: FM Muting, Hi Filter, Tape Monitor and Loudness One slider to clean: Balance (Left to Right) Below are instructions on how to access and properly clean. This remedy is surprisingly easy once you learn how to do it. It will also keep yo Oct 6, 2025 · Read me: Before attempting this repair, read the provided guide notes (and warnings) for critical information. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively clean the volume pots and improve the overall functionality of your amplifier. Here’s a simple and safe method to rid yourself of that noise: -Unplug your equipment -Remove the cover from the knob -Carefully use contact spray on the shaft of the potentiometer Hi Everyone!Just a quick tutorial on how to clean your vintage receiver knobs. IF HOWEVER THE POTS ARE CARBON TRACK THEN THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN THEM IS TO DISMANTLE THE ASSEMBLY AND AT WORST RE-CARBON THE TRACK. He said none of them were working properly and he thought a good cleaning might do the trick. Purchase the right type of Deoxit Feb 5, 2019 · Gallery How to Clean Vintage Stereo Equipment Unfortunately, old and neglected components are often found in pretty rough shape, which means you’ll need to learn how to clean vintage stereo equipment before use. They tend to need cleaning a bit more often, and when really dirty, may need to be cleaned another time, also exercise them often, and after cleaning rotate them 20 times. Pots usually have a small slot or hole in them associated with the connection terminals. Recently, many people have been claiming that Deoxit is actually destroying the pots - but in almost every case it looks like they flooded it. Although the quality and uniqueness of the sound is unmatched, they are usually found in rusty conditions. For cleaning tube sockets I use the tiny dental brushes that are used to clean between teeth. Changing volume is painful. Jul 10, 2008 · I've done some searches on AK and haven't come up with a thread explaining how to clean the pots - I have a Marantz 2275. Can anyone point me to a good thread w/ detailed instructions for a newbie? I know it must exist on here somewhere. These Deoxit is potent stuff - if you use it to clean pots, DO NOT flood the pot until Deoxit is dripping all over the place. Eight push button selectors to clean: FM Muting, FM 25, Tape 1 Monitor, Mono, Hi Filter, Loudness and Speakers 1 – 2. Part of the series: Restoring Vintage Radios and Music Equipment. Double down on the CRC QD. Click to expand This video started out as a repair/restoration video, but beyond replacing the power cord and cleaning the controls, everything else seemed to be working wel Jan 27, 2009 · After you have finished cleaning all the pots and switches along the faceplate, you still aren't quite done. And my technician warned me not to use "miracle lotions" that do more harm than good as he said Is there a good and cheap way to clean the bass, treble, balance and volume potentiometers of my stereo amp? All I currently have is an IPA spray can. Are there pros who can do this for me? I’m in the Midwest. I stayed WD-40 in the pot but it somehow made it worse. To effectively clean a scratchy potentiometer, you’ll need a few essential tools. I modify spray cleaner tubes with long extensions and bends so as to snake them into tiny openings. MERCH SALE: http://channel33rpm. You can also clean the fins on the variable capacitor tuning gangs. For really problematic pots Jan 26, 2020 · Objectives: A) Clean volume, bass and treble pots to remove any oxidation induced static noises B) Ensure these pots have a smooth and fluid feel when turned. Turn it on, put a CD you like, and enjoy. Look at the jacks where the headphones get inserted. Remove dust from the stereo's interior with short bursts of compressed air. May 16, 2005 · You need to get access to the inner working of that volume pot. The left channel cuts out sometimes. I got an old Yamaha G100-410 100 watt 4x10 guitar amp that had some scratchy pots. Demo of how I clean a vintage home stereo receiver that includes using cleaners and DeOxit#cleanvintageradio, #stereorestoration, #vinageaudiocleaning Here is a video on how to clean Input select switch, Speaker select switch. com/store/index. Q-Tips are cheap, I used several of them to do a thoroughly good clean up. IN MOST We will open up the unit, Clean inside and apply de-Oxit to all of the potentiometer controls. Jun 27, 2023 · Conclusion: Cleaning the volume pots on your stereo amplifier can help restore optimal audio performance and eliminate issues such as crackling sounds or volume inconsistencies. Do NOT use Deoxit on the tuner assembly. You can flood the chassis with this and drive off dust and oil. What do I do? Share Add a Comment Sort by: Best Open comment sort options Best Top New Controversial Old Q&A zratan69 • Dec 10, 2016 · The best way is to open the pot after pulling out the board (bending tabs, etc; depends on how it was manufactured), clean the resistive film with cotton swabs and alcohol, and the metal contacts with as much physical action is needed to get to clean metal, and then re-apply silicone-based dielectric grease. May 27, 2015 · Cleaning Vintage Stereo Receivers and Amplifiers 1970 to 1980. Dec 17, 2006 · It is far better to use a small vacuum cleaner and a clean dry 2" paint brush to loosen and suck up stuff from the innards. Not bad but the contaminants may be somewhat conductive so I want them off Jan 22, 2024 · Learn how to effectively clean your stereo receiver and maintain its optimal performance. Your stereo accumulates oxidation, rust, dust,dirt, nicotine, and what ever othe Feb 9, 2020 · I have a Sony headphone amplifier that's always had scratchiness when turning the volume knob and I tried getting some Deoxit some years ago, the kind that comes with a kind of nailpolish brush, not a spray, but I have trouble taking the amplifier apart, because of Sony's clever design in making Mar 27, 2009 · For volume pots, I however found silicone free spray lubricant works better. Jul 5, 2024 · I've got deoxit f5 for the pots, can grab some crc, what areas should I clean with crc and or alcohol? Should I clean off the pcbs? And if is worth taking the heat sink out for a good soak since it's so filthy and reapply thermal paste (assuming that amplifiers use thermal paste). Jan 18, 2025 · To clean vintage stereo equipment effectively, consider using CRC QD Electronic Cleaner and DeOxit D5, particularly for hard-to-reach volume controls. Start by using a plastic-safe contact cleaner to avoid damaging delicate components; a small amount can help remove Pioneer SX-737 Restore Step by Step | Vintage Stereo Receiver Repair & Restoration Guide How to Clean & Resurrect an Embalmed Potentiometer (With Bonus Rant) Owner tried fixing and gave up! Apr 5, 2018 · Servicing a vintage pioneer sx-580 receiver Deoxit D5 Review Project Marantz 2265 Part 2: cleaning the pots knobs and switches with Deoxit Let’s Explore and Repair a 1946 Electromuse Amp Repair re-cap Hallicrafters S-40A tube shortwave Ham receiver DeoxIT D5 Instructional Video #1 “Cleaning the Pots” Me showing you how to clean those noisy, and scratchy potentiometers, or controls on your vintage stereo's or radio's to bring them back to life. When I power up, the left side crackles and the right side does not cut in until the volume is increased. This video shows how to clean old pots to get rid of the noisy/scratchy volume controls in old radios, cassette players,audio amplifiers, etc. Gently clean the potentiometer by removing dust and dirt, applying the contact cleaner, and testing the functionality to ensure smooth operation. I am NOT a Technician nor do I p Jan 7, 2004 · The best way to clean the pots is to remove the cover of the component to be able to access the body of the control directly. IF THE POTS ARE WIREWOUND IT IS SUFFICIENT TO SPRAY SERVISOL SWITCH CLEANER INTO THE POT AND RAPPIDLY OPPERATE THE CONTROL. If you liked it and learned something from it, kindly like and subscribe. Apr 13, 2016 · Just picked up a Marantz 2235b and the innards appear to be coated with a fine oil mist and subsequent light layer of dust. FWIW , I have used contact clearner on every internal part of old amps without a problem. Apr 11, 2017 · Restoration of a Precision Decade Resistor Box How To Fix Automatic Window Buttons DeoxIT® D100 Contact Cleaner On 30-yr Old Stereo Receiver Cleaning A Receiver With DeoxIT | Perfect For Turntables! How To Bring A Stereo BACK TO LIFE with DeoxIT® How to Clean a Potentiometer Switch with DeoxIT® D5 Vintage audio equipments are unique and require careful handling. 2. Oct 14, 2015 · I cleaned volume pots in my 2 vintage yamahas with DeOxit D5 and I lost volume in right channel on both and got crackling. Cleaning a Dirty Volume Control. Use a small amount of contact cleaner to remove oxidation and corrosion from jacks, plugs, switches, pots, faders, and removable connectors. Therefore, apart from operating them, one must know how to clean the device. How to clean/repair or fix scratchy, noisy volume control knob or tone control potentiometer pots. Mar 27, 2025 · Opt for a plastic-safe contact cleaner to safely clean vintage stereo equipment without harming its delicate internal components. Put back your receiver in the rack, do all your connections and plug it then. Question - Is the correct approach to: A) Spray D5 B) Follow with . bigcartel. This should be done as a periodic service to the amplifier or any other Hi-Fi stereo units. Get some NuTrol control spray lube/cleaner and place the plastic dispensing straw against the hole and give a short shot. This technique works for many rotary controls like Volume, Tone, Balance, Bass, Treble etc. Tha Part 2 of my Project Marantz 2265 series. The most important button to clean is the Tape 1 Monitor. This easy technical lesson will demonstrate how to clean the pots (volume knobs) of any mixer, guitar or bass amplifier, etc. May 15, 2008 · I got a good deal on a vintage Yamaha cr-420 receiver on ebay for a second A/V system. This needs a little more aggressive cleaning. The volume knob is scratchy. I took apart the amp and used contact cleaner to spray the dirt and crud f Oct 15, 2019 · Also, Kenwood balance pots are not well sealed. Get the dust out of your volume pots. It should go without saying but be sure to unplug the unit before cleaning. 75K subscribers Subscribe Aug 28, 2016 · An easy way to fix scratchy and noisy volume and tone pots on older audio gear using contact cleaner Deoxit. 1. That often removes material from switches and pots that would only be extra difficult if you were to wet it first with contact cleaner. This method can rejuvenate old stereo gear, as most common issues are solvable with basic troubleshooting and maintenance. In this video I'll be disassembling the receiver the cleaning out the switches and potentiometers with DeOxit. Once things warm up, the volume control seems to operate Subscribed 358 29K views 4 years ago Quick tip on cleaning those dirty RCA jacks! https://lusterlace. The steps below will walk you through cleaning the interior of any audio component using a basic contact cleaner. If your Pioneer VSX-918V receiver ha 102K subscribers in the vintageaudio community. To clean vintage stereo equipment, gently wipe the surfaces with a microfiber cloth and a mild cleanser. Gathering The Necessary Tools For Cleaning To clean a scratchy potentiometer, gather the necessary tools like a small brush, contact cleaner, and a screwdriver. It is SAFE, EFFECTIVE & has alwa DIY - How to Clean Amplifier Pots - Fix Scratchy Volume Control on Guitar Amp Peavey Backstage Plus Crave Guitar 390 subscribers Subscribed Mar 8, 2021 · How To Really Clean a Kenwood KR-4600 and KR-5600 Stereo Receiver Recently, a friend of mine asked if I would clean up “some Kenwood receivers” he found at his Dad’s house. Oct 19, 2023 · I have a 1970 Technics receiver that sounds great but the pots are dirty. If it sounds scratchy, noisy when you turn the knob, this is the Cleaning Knobs on Vintage Audio Equipment. --Link to the e May 17, 2005 · cleaning pots in an old electronic stereo Discussion in ' Audio Hardware ' started by thestereofan, May 17, 2005. Just do it youself and save money. Remember to do this with the unit unplugged and I'd go so far as to wait HOW TO CLEAN YOUR VINTAGE FACEPLATE SANSUI MARANTZ PIONEER YAMAHA SONY MCINTOSH ONKYO JVC KENWOOD Skylabs Audio 161K subscribers Subscribed Nov 26, 2018 · The Marantz 2238b has the following pots and switches to clean: Five pots to clean: Bass, Mid, Treble, Balance and Volume (the most important). Jul 8, 2025 · If you want to use Deoxit to clean electrical components like a stereo receiver it's important to know the right way to handle it. Luckily, we can help you safely get your delicate electronics clean again. It-is not small and easy job and is ours specialty give us a call we can help! I fix a noisy volume knob on a vintage Sansui receiver using Deoxit spray. After spraying, I 'work' the knob for a couple of minutes and this usually does the trick. Remove the cover and (hopefully) you can find a small hole at the rear of the pot to spray the De-Oxit into. I want to avoid the "gritty" (non-fluid) feel that can result when a cleaner damages the pot or removes the lubrication. Spray and work the knob back and forth to spread the cleaner around inside the pot. Here’s a rundown of the most common issues and how to troubleshoot and repair them. Clean the PCBs. Apr 27, 2024 · Long story short, I am not un-experienced, but up until now I have only worked on my own stuff, and that was just pot and switch cleaning and bulb replacements those, and a good dusting and cleaning inside and out. First, with the power still unplugged from the receiver, you need to remove all screws underneath the unit. I usually pull off the knob and give a short burst of the stuff down the shaft while the amp/receiver is tilted upwards. I currently have on the bench a Harman Kardon HK 460i that had sat in a basement for years. I need some advice on how to clean inside a vinatge Yamaha CR 2040 receiver that I bought some months ago and am just now getting around to cleaning. Always dispense of any dirty Q-tips and use another one. 2K subscribers Subscribe Some noisy pots on older gear can be very difficult to access. Dec 28, 2018 · From this website Fader F5 can also damage the carbon track on Vintage potentiometers: There is some discussion about using Deoxit Fader F5 on vintage pots as one of the chemicals contained in the flushing solution is known to degrade the carbon in the pots, thus degrading them over time until they become useless. Marantz 2252B CLEANING THE POTS #marantz #vintageaudio #stereo #musicsystem #integratedamplifier Stairway to Music 1. I agreed to try. Vintage stereo equipment holds a special place in the hearts of audiophiles, collectors, and music enthusiasts. All the others just needed air and de-oxit.