I have been using Caig Laboratories electronic cleaners since 1985 when one of my repair techs (who also worked at the local NBC Television affiliate) left a can in our repair shop.
DeoxIT is not like other electronic spray cleaners, it contains magic (my own terminology, not theirs :-).
Seriously, I've had DeoxIT bring brand new cables to life.
The places where cables are made are typically not what you'd call "Clean Room" environments, they're kind of dirty by nature. There is smoke from soldering and there are lots of "lubricants" in use which keep connectors from sticking together when they're stored in big plastic tubs or job boxes.
CLEAN NEW CABLE PLUGS
The shiny plugs on your new guitar cable may look clean but contaminates are lurking and waiting to spoil your electrical connections. DeoxIT to the rescue.
When I buy new guitar cables the first thing I do is hold the plugs over the kitchen waste basket and give them a quick spray with DeoxIT. With a firm grip and a clean paper towel give all the surfaces a good wiping. This will help remove any petroleum based lubricants left over from the manufacturing and packaging process. After you finish wiping off any residual goo, give your plugs a fresh shot of DeOxit. It does not take much to do the job.
CLEAN YOUR EXISTING CORDS
Guitar cables and patch bay cables pick up dirt and funky stuff from their existence. When you grab a cable that has been out of service for a while, clean the plugs as previously described BEFORE you plug it into your gear. Dirty plugs contaminates the jacks in your gear, before you know it dirty connections are spreading throughout your studio.
Stop bad electrical connections before they stop your music. A can of DeoxIT lasts a long time if you're careful with how much you spray.
IT'S NOT CHEAP, OR MAYBE IT IS?
At around $17 from various online resellers, DeoxIT is not cheap for electronic spray cleaner but it is so worth-it when you start running clean connections. Your sound will thank you.
NOT FOR SLIDE POTS
Don't spray DeOxit in your slider or rotary faders. Caig Labs makes a special treatment for potentiometers (but that's another story).
EPILOGUE
High on Technology receives ZERO financial support or consideration for this article.
We use and believe in this product. Used respectfully, Caig Labs D5 DeOxit can improve your connections too.
Thanks for reading High on Technology, Good Music To You!
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©April 2022 by Mark King for High on Technology. It's not ok to copy or quote without written permission.
