Is DeoxIT® safe on phenolic wafer switches?
I have been using DeoxIT® D5 (flushing, slow drying version) on switches in my ham radio gear for more than five years.
I have had excellent results, especially with dirty contacts on rotary switches. Now I have heard that contact cleaners can damage the phenolic switch wafers over time.
Do I have this possible problem to look forward to after using the DeoxIT®? If so, can you advise me how and what to use to remove the residue on the switches?
Thank you for your assistance. .....
Phenolic surfaces may absorb fluids depending on how porous they are. It is very important not to apply any polar (conductive) liquids onto the surface. For example, no solvent that has alcohol in it.
The alcohol may potentially be absorbed into the phenolic material and may not completely evaporate. Then the phenolic itself may become conductive, causing the switch to short.
The DeoxIT D5 (flushing, slow drying version) or DN5 (quick drying, non-drip version) would be fine for the CONTACT AREAS of the switch. If a little gets on the surrounding area, it should not be a problem, but you would NOT want to saturate the adjacent area.
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