How to clean dirty & crackling pots (potentiometers) on a pedal

[@momanace]

Well, I just tried this out on a old Rat Pedal from the late 80s with super scratchy volume knob that would even cut out from time to time. It TOTALLY worked. Its like I have a brand new pedal. Thanks for the info.

[@TheMikeyC]

I have a boss turbo overdrive from the mid 90s that I got off a friend who passed away and I didn't want to retire the pedal because it makes so much scratchy crunchy noises. I as many went to KZbin and typed in ways to clean a pedal pot and your video came as one of the videos towards the top of the list. I clicked, I followed your steps and now the mid 90's pedal works just as good when my friend got it brand new. Thank you for an awesome video and an easy way to help keep my pedal sounding brand new-ish again. You saved me from having to retire a classic pedal and buying a new overdrive pedal.

[@GregSummersMusic]

60 percent of the time....it works EVERY time. One of my most repeated lines at work. Awesome stuff Brian. Great drone work too ;-)

[@hongkongdrifter2812]

Thank you sir. I've done this on guitars many a time but wasn't sure if I could do it to pedals. You rock!

[@lancelotlink6545]

This just saved me the time and cost of bringing in a couple of my pedals to the shop. Thank you!

[@dagkarlsson7182]

I need to do this on both of my 90’s Marshalls. This will save me heaps of money instead of paying a amp tech to do it. Thanks

[@ashwalker2395]

I'm baffled 7 people disliked this. It's simple, true, and short. How is this unlikable?

[@MM-sq5pf]

Not everybody likes the same thing you do

[@soundgardener75]

Probably cleaned the power jack while it was plugged with power.😅

[@hambuiltstudios]

I have a Univox Super Fuzz with the same issues. I'm in the process of restoring it for a friend. This is helpful. Thanks ✌️

[@tinyb69]

Back in the 70's, we used to clean dirty pot with the top of a shoebox, or sometimes in an upside down frisbee. Somehow, I think that we are talking about two different subjects. On another note, some contact cleaners break down plastic parts really quickly. Make sure that you are using a safe one to spray inside your pedal.

[@MichaelSeanHarrell]

don't bogart that de oxit my friend

[@richclayton5785]

Wish I had read this before going to work on that old CRATE amp.

[@victorramsey5575]

Yep, the frisbee method was king until I found out about the "hold a newspaper at an angle" method, those pesky round things just roll away. Learned that from an old English hippie back in the day.

[@Synonomous]

Pillow case. Just sticky enough to separate the rollers but keep them from going too far. At least that's not an issue anymore.

[@wyneedsanacoustic]

Nicest pedal genius ever!

[@mardoqueobeltran9119]

dinosaurs toys

[@richclayton5785]

Some caution here I have done this and as the man says, it works most of the time. My only bad experience was on a funky old CRATE V32 Palomino. The CRC actually dissolved a plastic pieces inside the pots - they were rendered useless which is likely because they were dirt cheap nearly useless pots when new. But, instead of having a working amp with scratchy pots I now have one that doesn't work at all.

[@wampler_pedals]

May have to just replace the pot unfortunately

[@stevennemeth6256]

I love how he's like "you can't use too much" and every other video I've watched is like "Just a little squirt is all you need"...LOL.

[@richclayton5785]

Yeah, as the old saying goes "your results may vary"

[@IloveuProductions13]

I really like the crunch of the TS9! nice tone production :)

[@mnkrantz]

Had no doubt Mr. Wampler knew what he was talking about. Bought the stuff he recommended....worked perfect. My '97 ODB-3 is like new. Thanks Brian!!!

[@Justin-qp6jq]

Thumbs up just for the "fresh pots" reference lmfao

[@rivets72]

I just fixed a crackly gain knob on my ecstasy, thanks Brian!

[@xvzf115]

Thanks a lot! Brought a Boss-DS2 back to life!

[@brainstewX]

I looked up this video specifically because my DS2 is acting up.

[@jette2001]

!!!!!!!!!!! this lesson fixed my main head i use, i thought it was a goner!!!!

[@Lustrum0005]

This is my next project.. my pedals are starting to do that, and the volume knobs on my guitar amps drive me nuts for years! But I think I'm going to spray the knobs on the outside first before opening the amps, because my amps are not as easy to open as my pedals.

[@bw2569]

Contact cleaner fixed about 90% of the problems my 1990 Ferrari Testarossa was having with the fuel pumps kicking on. I did let all the contacts dry for 3 days before I plugged anything in, though. I read that a few different places. Now off to clean my Marshall ED-1

[@StephenFinkNRP]

I need to do this on my old DOD's from the 80's.

[@B2Rockin]

Just what I needed! Now just have to figure out how to shine up the oxidized and potentially rusted nuts on the input and output of this ol' Boss DS-2 from 1987 I just bought. Any advice is appreciated. Sweet tele and chicken pickin' by the way, you sound great man! 🤘🏻🍻

[@paulhoneycutt905]

You spray a lot more then I usually do. Good to know I can drench it. Besides DeOxit, I've used Stoner Electro Klene (Yes, it's really called the Stoner Chemical Company). Hard to find, but works good.

[@hulkslayer626]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA omg the cat made this already informative vid amazing!! lol you have an awesome sense of humor and an amazing piece of property you lucky lucky man

[@middle_pickup]

Thanks dude. Great vid! I have an old Boss DF-2 with pots that sound evil in it.

[@discostuvw]

Isopropyl/rubbing alcohol works too. It got rid of the scratchiness of my friend's Joyo Vintage Overdrive.

[@84kjk]

I’m def going to try this. My Ibanez cp10 volume is all scratchy when moving adjusting volume

[@Weston_Guidero]

Thank you for the video! Does living in a salty area/on a beach contribute to the potentiometers corroding?

[@GeradHopkinsOfficial]

Love the Anchorman reference

[@russellmedeiros7927]

I think your cat is onto something... So UniVibe?... 😋

[@BerndThomasSchuller]

That cat has a weird fixation with univibes. The best univibe (apart from the Shin-Ei original) is the Vibe Machine from DryBell Effects.

[@AnthonyBurrito1313]

You mean " On Something "

[@jaycobie]

Dude, calm down on the application of that contact cleaner... I usually only need about 2-3 small squirts of DeOxit D5, aimed at the insides or openings of a pot, twisting them a bunch, then finishing with a single little spray more to fully fix them. Used that method to clean some grimy pots in a 30 year old Roland Bolt amplifier the other day and the difference was night and day. You drenched your pots and the insides of your pedal as well. You're gonna inspire some novices to use waaaay too much of their expensive contact cleaner. (I live in Iceland. The import taxes on that stuff make it way expensive here and probably elsewhere as well)

[@winfordlewis2596]

Jay Cobie Agreed!!

[@Zeric1]

Agreed, he used way more than needed. It not only wastes the product, it creates a mess. I do a quick spray for a half second or less directly into the pot using a tube with a 45 degree bend on the end, turn the pot back and forth a couple times, repeat one or two more times and it's good to go. The bend really helps to aim it the product where it's needed. To make the bend I used a hair dryer to heat the red applicator tube. I usually with a short spray of silicone lubricant which is usually found in the store near the contact cleaner.

[@stereocil]

Try just a tiny drop before. It's usually way enough. Also, you can often just squirt it on the side of the pots' poles, as you wiggle them. No need to even open the pedal's casing then.

[@refurtado]

Thanx a lot, dude. Same problem here. Not anymore! ;)

[@mkds7756]

I’ve got a dirty pot on my Ernie Ball VP JR. do I need to worry about the cleaner eating the wax on the rope? And on pedals how long do you need to wait for it to dry out before reassembling?

[@juddalexander5642]

Univibe~~~~~ Cat has good idea for Wampler project! Thanks for the how-to!

[@jeffloven839]

you're going to want to use the stuff with lube also--maybe the CRC 2-26 instead- because the the pot's lube will dry up after a bit

[@benforsey]

God daaaym that tube screamer sounds good

[@Pedalnerds]

Excellent video. Thanks!

[@georgeevans4045]

Does the De Oxit mess up the finish? Since you can use De Oxit on toggles, jacks, pots, etc, I'd be interested in seeing how to clean pots and toggles on a guitar... Any chance you'll do a vid on this? Thanks!

[@TimACroninMusic]

Ha! "Fresh Pots" reference for the win!

[@MrEmoSant]

How do you take off the circuit board? Just cleaned my Guitar and Bass knobs with a new cleaner for electronics and it worked; wanted to try the same thing on a Mosky Tube Screamer but the circuit board seems to be glued to something cause I can’t take it off to reach the actual knobs.

[@lawndart188s]

Great tip!

[@frandesalvo2450]

Thanks so much for this video. Anyway I have a doubt. Whenever I clean pots with that type of products it seems to remove de lubricant inside that comes when pots are new (factory lubricant). What would you advise to use to restore that lub in the pots. I've heard of Deoxit faderlube, but It's not available at my country so... anything like grease, oil or Vaseline. Do you know what do manufacturers use for that purpose??? Thanks in advance for your time.

[@BumbiPuck]

Hahaha! Please, that cat should join more often!

[@GearBoxTy]

A cat peed on my gig bag and the major casualty seems to be my Nobles ODR-1. Clicking the footswitch makes the light go on momentarily but no sound comes out of the pedal until the footpedal is depressed again and the pedal is in bypass. Would "cleaning the pots" help this or is it much worse than dirty electronics?

[@doublechinmask3744]

Hey,cool video.But how to clean pots on 10 series Ibanez pedals.I open it up but i cant go past first circuit board(there are 2).But first one is attached to something and i cant pull it out. Any idea how to deal with this.Do i have to solder off some wires so i can pull it out or?

[@aivopesukarhu]

Hi, does it really require so much cleaner? I have been able to fix non-functional pots by a small dose directly into the small hole in the pot. Then turn the pot back and forth a couple of times and it's like new. I bought a Yamaha E1005 analog delay unit for 40$ in "broken" condition, cleaned the pots -> Good as new.

[@wampler_pedals]

+Paavo Toiviainen maybe not, but doesn't hurt anything

[@aivopesukarhu]

Thanks for the fast answer! And thanks for the great products! I'm rocking with Pinnacle Deluxe, Velvet Fuzz and Black '65 on a daily basis.

[@elproff007]

Nice! Thank You! 🙏

[@Nikkimaya1]

Wow!! I'm quite sure you used enough for a couple hundred pots. Good video though. Thanks.

[@fearofnot]

Thanks bro! ~ You Rock! :)

[@johnny62]

I see some liquid there, I'm assuming I need to get that dried off before putting everything back in?

[@TYB439]

Would you recommend spraying DeoxIT D5 into all jacks, switches, etc. of new pedals to clean and protect them?

[@christopherlaskoski189]

i'd use D5 a long time before ever considering anything by CRC for electronics! CRC is strictly automotive in my book. Wouldn't consider CRC anything for musical equipment!

[@thejerk004]

Hello from the future! This was very helpful. Thank you so much.

[@joshserafin9948]

This seems to be the problem with my guitars volume knob. Would this same technique work for that as well? I dont know much about the inner workings of electric guitars and can deal with my issue if this technique would risk ruining any chance of playing, but i would like to not have to have the knob always cranked up and could definitely enjoy being able to occasionally bump the thing on accident and not ruin any sound im making. Although that crackle did work magically one time...

[@joshserafin9948]

Self reply: your question was seemingly answered below in the comments. Read more first. Thanks anyways!

[@bb-of3qz]

Love that stuff.

[@BassMonstrum]

How long after cleaning should one wait before plugging in and playing?

[@hambuiltstudios]

I waited for 30 minutes to an hour to be safe.

[@hambuiltstudios]

That's with the 70s Univox Super Fuzz.

[@lostfilm4380]

You think this can work on a Marshall JMP-1 pre-amp? My volume knob crackles just like that.

[@Arclight2020]

Nice! Thanks for the tip! =)

[@phatman1478]

Great editing! Does the same concept apply to volume/tone pots on a guitar?

[@wampler_pedals]

Thanks, and yes it does, to switches also! :)

[@jaydougherty5297]

Do you have to open up the guitar to spray the pots (i.e. unscrew the pick-guard,etc., or is there some way to do it from outside the guitar?

[@wampler_pedals]

Jay Dougherty you'll need to open it up

[@destroso]

What about input jacks?

[@destroso]

He just answered yes

[@lautzofriffs]

If I shouldn't do that all the time, what should I do? Replace the pots??

[@benmaguire4098]

thanks Brian .. what about latching switches?

[@OzyOzySM]

Hello I have a GE 7 Eq and making a crackling noise when I move the slides up or down And that happen with all of them,! Is that mean I have bad unit? Or just use a contact anti oxidation cleaner and point the tube in the sliding lines and spray some? Is that will trigger a new dust that generates more crackle or will help restore the condition and make the crackeling gone? Thank you

[@stevennemeth6256]

There is a CAIG Fader DeOxit spray that would probably work better, designed for faders on Mixing boards and the like. But at $16 a can for either version of DeOxit, versus buying a new $100 + pedal...you really can't go wrong trying either option.

[@stefanozurich]

The guitarist in my band has an AC30, but we cannot turn up loud enough for it to sound good. What Wampler pedal do you recommend for getting that sweet squashy tone?

[@SlechtAdvies]

Is this the same stuff as CRC QD Contact Cleaner?

[@AnthonyBurrito1313]

GIGANTIC thumbs up amigo, UNIVIBE!!!

[@debarunpaul73]

Can I use CRC 2-26 spray cleaner for this purpose....

[@anisoo-m7i]

Hello sir i have a wampler dual fusion sometimes it works sometimes not sometimes it works on the 1 circuit and some time on the 2 i have to say that when it works it sound more than great but sometimes doesnt at all with very low pedal output so can not use for live situations and only for home use and im really frustrated coz i have no idea how to fix this pedal

[@wampler_pedals]

Shoot us an email and we can fix it, [e-mail]

[@AxeLady66]

I took the back/sides off of my Marshall DRP-1 pedal, but I can't get to the back of the potentiometers to spray them. I watched a video about pulling off the volume knobs, but I'm afraid to do that. Any suggestions?

[@stereocil]

Late answer but... Try squirting just a bit through the side of the knob poles as you wiggle them left to right. I've fixed potentiometers this way before, no need to even open the casing.

[@johnmarquez333]

Hey Brian, what would you say is the issue with a pedal that sometimes picks up radio frequencies when it's turned on? I have a dirt pedal that does this once in a while. If I get this and then jiggle the switch or even tap on the enclosure with my foot, the noise goes away. Any thoughts?

[@OneAvsta]

this happened to me with a velvet fuzz actually!

[@johnmarquez333]

I'm guessing it has something to do with shielding. I've heard of this happen with guitars or cables but not with pedals. I only ever get this issue with one certain pedal (for the record, a J Rockett Tim Pierce Overdrive). Is there something I can do to the interior of the pedal to eliminate the problem?

[@niftykeentypedog]

This can have a few causes, but the symptom disappearing with a light tap is indicative of a physical problem, most likely with a ground connection. Most pedals make their ground connections to the chassis via the jack sockets and sometimes the potentiometer bodies. Over time the connections can become loose or may develop corrosion between the surfaces. When conditions are just right a parasitic envelope detector circuit will form with just the right parasitic component values to demodulate a radio signal. Wah pedals are notorious for this for some reason. I recommend that you 'disturb' all these connections by undoing all the nuts - if possible, remove the electronics from the chassis then use contact cleaner and an old toothbrush to clean up the mating surfaces. Also clean the contacts of the jack sockets and your cables jack plugs. While you're in it up to your elbows, don't forget to clean the pots as well! Make sure all the wires from the circuit board to the connectors and pots are intact with solid looking solder joints. When you reassemble, make sure the nuts are nice and snug. (I searched for days on an old Morley Power Wah only to fix the fault in half a second when I found a loose nut in one corner of the circuit board.) If none of this does the trick you may need to consider looking for dry solder joints on the components on the circuit board.

[@wsosae]

Thanks man

[@panhandlegeardemos6837]

That is one bossy cat!

[@antonkeulers9983]

Would you use contact cleaner to clean a circuit board?

[@heliobluesrock]

THANK YOU!

[@nicom2457]

can isopropyl alcohol act as a replacement?

[@guitarslim56]

What do you do when the CRC doesn't fix the problem?

[@wampler_pedals]

That gets more difficult, you would have to determine if it’s indeed the pot or a different problem, which can often end up meaning you’re replacing various parts.

[@TM42]

Does this apply to tone switches as well? My tone switch on my Les Paul is getting a little wonky.

[@wampler_pedals]

+Trent Morrison yep

[@soundknight]

eventually overtime won't this create a build up of crc film and eventually it just won't work?

[@wampler_pedals]

+Brian Cullen yes, you don't want to do it very often, and at some point every mechanical device wears out

[@soundknight]

Do you if the pros just get all their parts replaced every now and then like a car gets an annual oil change? I live in the tropics and nothing much lasts past 2 years.

[@panhandlegeardemos6837]

After cleaning how long should someone wait until plugging it back in?

[@wampler_pedals]

+Panhandle Gear Demos a minute or two is fine

[@StephenFinkNRP]

btw in 2020 we wash our hands just for looking at something germy. LOL

[@liberty4all885]

Is it normal for a brand new volume pedal to do that? I bought a mission vmpro and it’s been 2 weeks and already cutting out on me

[@djholmesmusic]

Old comment, but did you ever get it figured out? I have the same problem with my vm pro

[@igetmycalcium]

That’s all good for that type of pedal but how the hell do you get to the blend pot on your ego compressor. Mines scratchy.

[@wampler_pedals]

Spray some cleaner into it. You will have to take it out of enclosure

[@igetmycalcium]

I thought I’d break something because I suck at life. I got it fixed thought. Just took the knob off and sprayed the stem (?). All good now.

[@dcharby35]

should you wait for the Deoxit to dry completely before plugging it back in?

[@DMNKLR_official]

Absolutely, yes. It usually takes 2-5 minutes, but yes, let it dry/evaporate first.

[@erkundfx]

Level pot is B100K is that correct or not..?

[@johnclarke5711]

Yeah but how do you open the switch cavity & ? clean the switch

[@bluesysamurainao4557]

This is really useful!!!!! Coz I've got vintage OD-9 which doesn't work well recently. I'll try. I play amazing tunes like Every Breath You Take and If I Ain't Got You on fingerstyle in my channel!!!! Hope you see and like them!!!!!

[@lizzietheheretic7831]

Yeah it worked cool

[@luckylicks3497]

Please feature more of your cat! :)

[@vladvartosu]

Will WD40 work for cracking pots? Thank you

[@wampler_pedals]

No, I wouldn’t use that for pots

[@vladvartosu]

Wampler Pedals Thank you. Did some extra research, Deoxit it is ;) cheers!

[@sixsentsoldiers]

Mr. Wampler, please send more Low Blow pedals to Sweetwater.

[@wampler_pedals]

That pedal is discontinued unfortunately

[@sixsentsoldiers]

@@wampler_pedals - The Best distortion OD bass pedal i ever heard.

can i use WD-40?

[@DMNKLR_official]

Only if it's their Specialist line contact cleaner spray.

[@eisbaellsche175]

giant thump up ;-)

[@albertoromero3431]

Do you think WD-40 works too?

[@wampler_pedals]

Nope don’t use that for this purpose

[@tobeyforsman]

Regular deoxit can ruin pots long term. Deoxit brand makes “fader f5” for this purpose.

[@nathanguilford2387]

Get it done tone doctor. Hilarious!

[@noahlangseth5196]

60% of the time, it works all the time.

[@zackperkins6107]

Void that "lifetime" warranty

[@zioncabilangan332]

Can i have you ibanez tube screamer? i really hope you could give it to me

[@khills1181]

hold a lit match under the stream of cleaner for a great flame thrower. lol.

[@wampler_pedals]

This comment not endorsed by Wampler Pedals :D

[@jaibandroide]

Will wd40 work as well?

[@stereocil]

May work but will leave gunk, which may scrap them in the long run. So no. Oppositely, contact cleaner is made of volatile products that evaporate.

[@Synonomous]

Contact cleaner. Works.