Top Tips : Cleaning Your Connections

Did you know that by cleaning the connectors for your cables, you can improve the quality of the signal passing through astronomically? Over time connectors oxidise and reduce their performance but by cleaning them once every few months, you can keep them in pristine condition and ensure that you always have the best connection possible.

Future Shop has two products that can be used by you to clean your plugs:

Caig DeoxIT Contact Cleaning Fluid 2ml Tube

The DeoxIT Contact Cleaning Fluid dissolves oxidation and corrosion on metal surfaces, filling in the microscopic gaps to form a better contact surface, and ultimately enhancing the flow of electrical signals.

The cleaning fluid is 100% liquid and contains only 20% active chemical cleaner making it safe to use around most materials.

Directions for use:

1. Turn off, unplug the device.
2. Apply a small amount to the metal contact/connector surface.
3. Operate the part/device to help break up oxides and contamination. Wait a few minutes, then wipe the surface with clean lint-free cloth or swab to remove oxidation and contamination.
4. Re-apply the DeoxIT to the metal surface and wipe off excess. It is important to wipe off the excess as it works best when a thin coating is on metal surfaces. Wait two minutes before turning on the equipment. Test for compatibility before use.
5. In extreme cases (severe oxidation or corrosion), you may need to leave this on overnight. If that is necessary; apply, then the following day removes any contaminants lifted with a lint-free swab or cloth on accessible surfaces (If the surface is not accessible, repeat step two above.) When the surface is clean (no residue on the swab/cloth), finish with an extra small amount, then remove excess leaving a thin layer.
6. If you notice a green or black colouration on the surface (may take a few days) after applying the contact cleaner, this indicates dissolved oxidation (surface was severely oxidized). Follow step “2-5” above one more time.

Caig DeoxIT Gold Contact Cleaning Fluid 2ml Tube

The DeoxIT Gold Contact Cleaning Fluid further improves on the standard contact cleaner by enhancing the conductivity of metal surfaces and ensuring optimum signal quality is maintained. Additionally, the DeoxIT Gold coating is excellent at reducing wear abrasion, arcing and RFI.

DeoxIT Gold encourages molecular bonds between both base-metals and plated surfaces, sealing out oxygen and protecting both surfaces. Not only does DeoxIT Gold remove the nasty spotting and discolouration of metal connectors, regular use of DeoxIT contact cleaner really breathes life into an old system for hardly any outlay.

Directions for use :

1. Turn off, unplug the device.
2. On surfaces that have been in service or have visual signs of oxidation or corrosion pre-treat with the DeoxIT D-Series contact cleaner
3. Apply a small amount to the metal contact/connector surface.
4. Operate the part/device to help distribute the DeoxIT Gold and break up minor amounts of oxides and contamination. Test for compatibility before use.
5. Re-apply DeoxIT Gold to the metal surface and wipe off excess. It is important to wipe off excess, DeoxIT Gold works best when a thin coating is on metal surfaces. Wait two minutes before turning on the equipment. Test for compatibility before use.
6. If you notice a green or black colouration on the surface (may take a few days) after applying DeoxIT Gold, this indicates dissolved oxidation (surface was severely oxidized). Follow step “2-5” above one more time.

By using these two products on all your cable connectors once every few months, you will notice a consistent cleaner sound with no interference from excess oxidation build-up.

You can find both products on our website using the links below:

Caig DeoxIT Contact Cleaning Fluid

Caig DeoxIT Gold Contact Cleaning Fluid