Does pushbutton switching need lubrication?

[BrianAllen]

I have cleaned the switching mechanism on my Bush PB 22 and was wondering if the switching should now be lubricated?

Thank you

[Radio Tech]

Use some wd40 just as good as proper switch lubricant

Ken

[Techman]

No, sorry, do NOT use WD40 here, although you may get away with it. You don't say whether it's the electrical contacts or the metal to metal mechanics that you're talking about - you need to make it clear as to exactly what you're asking.

[BrianAllen]

Hello Ken, it is the 8 pushbutton rods that change the wavebands.

[stuarth]

There seem to be differing views on WD40 as a switch cleaner.

Some objections to it were based on a fear it contained silicone, but apparently the original WD40 doesn’t and never has contained silicone. I say “original WD40” because you can now get specialist lubricants with WD40 written on the can, including silicone and switch cleaner variants.

Are there general problems with using WD40, or specific problems, for example volume controls (and other pots) where the wrong stuff might damage the carbon track?

I tend to use DeoxIT D5, bought from RWB, which seems well thought of, but I know there are different DeoxITs for different applications. Are there any switch cleaners to avoid on high voltage circuits because of leakage through the residue they leave behind? What about the OPs application, push button switches, where a degree of mechanical lubrication is required?

I only use switch cleaner occasionally, so it’s hard to put together reliable data on the performance of different cleaners, just cycling the switch/pot with no cleaner sometimes makes a significant improvement.

Stuart

[BrianAllen]

Good evening all, thank you for your comments.

On closer inspection of the push button mechanism, I have decided to just just use a very small amount of Singer sewing machine oil on the metal to metal parts.

Brian