Potentiometer Cleaning Tools

A potentiometer or pot for short is an electronic devise that is used to regulate the flow of electricity. When the pot is turned one way, the channel is open allowing electricity to flow through. As the pot turns the other way more and more electricity flow is blocked. Does this sound familiar? Guitar volume knobs and tone knobs are pots. They simply regulate the flow of electricity to the pickups. After years of use guitar pots can collect dust and dirt. They can also corrode from sweat and poor weather conditions. This can cause problems not only with your guitar signal but also the smoothness of your volume and tone knobs. Have you ever turned your guitar knobs and heard your guitar crackle? Well, this is a good sign that your guitar pots need to be cleaned.

How it works

There are many different products to help clean electric guitar pots but a few that I actually use. I like to use Deoxit. Deoxit is an electronic cleaning product that seeps into your electronics, cleans, and clears the electrical path. This stuff has proven to work. That is why I always keep some on my guitar repair bench. To clean out your guitar pots, simply remove your guitar knobs and spray Deoxit in the crack around the knob shaft. Then turn the knob a few times. Deoxit will do the rest of the work. After a few seconds, plug your guitar back in and see if the pots still crackle. If they do, just repeat.

Deoxit is a great product. You will be amazed at how good you can make your guitar or your customer's guitar sound once the pots are cleaned out. Deoxit is a must have when it comes to electric guitar electronic repair. Buy a bottle; you won't be disappointed. If you would like more information about how to clean out your guitar pots, please see my how to clean electric guitar pots article.