Greasing Fader Bushings... What kind of grease?

[Peter B.]

I'd like to restore the smooth feel to some old faders I have on a
synth of mine. I'm going to be opening up the baqcks of all the faders
and doing a proper cleaning of them. The grease is old and sticky and
the bushings (nylon?) slide too slow on the internal tracks. Pot
cleaner makes the slide action a lot faster but it's not a smooth
fast. What kind of cleaning and lubing supplies should I have stocked
on hand for this task? I don't want to use something that will break
down plastics or be an ineffective lube over the long run.


Thanks,
Peter

[Chris Hornbeck]

On 20 Nov 2003 13:43:14 -0800, (Peter B.) wrote:

>I'd like to restore the smooth feel to some old faders I have on a
>synth of mine. I'm going to be opening up the baqcks of all the faders
>and doing a proper cleaning of them. The grease is old and sticky and
>the bushings (nylon?) slide too slow on the internal tracks. Pot
>cleaner makes the slide action a lot faster but it's not a smooth
>fast. What kind of cleaning and lubing supplies should I have stocked
>on hand for this task? I don't want to use something that will break
>down plastics or be an ineffective lube over the long run.

from my archives:

"I've been on the phone on many occasions with the engineer at Caig
Labs,
the makers of fine cleaners and lubricants, regarding the best method
of
cleaning pots and switches. We use a lot of their product in the
refurbishment of our recording consoles and rack mixers.

They recommend that a generous amount of 5% solution of Calilube
(C-Lube) be applied to the switch or pot in order to purge all dirt
and
from the element and slider contacts. (Don't forget to clean the
slider
contacts!) After the 5% has been used, then apply a few drops of the
100% Calilube to the slider element. A few drops go a long way.

The 5% is available in a small spray can...that's the easiest for
enclosed sliders, and the 100% is available in a small bottle with a
needle dispenser.

If you are able to open the pots and get to the individual parts, then
after spraying with the 5% C-lube, I would also clean the resistive
element (lightly) with a C-Lube soaked cleaning swab until most of the
black residue from the resistive element is mostly eliminated. Go
really lightly if it is a glass-like element like used in P&G faders.

By the way, it's the lubricating properties of C-lube the restore the
slider!

Regards,

Vince
http://www.speck.com"

""Key Audio (Kenneth Kareta)" wrote:
>
> Denny Strauser wrote:
>
> > It's important that the inside surfaces of the faders (and everything
> > else) stay as free as possible of any fluids.
>
> This reminds me of something I've been wondering about:
> What does everyone use for "grease" on the glide bars of their P&G or Alps
> K-Faders?
> --
> Ken Kareta, Owns,
> Key Audio Services
>
> *Can we take the lovebirds with us?, They haven't hurt anyone ..*
> - Alfred Hitchcock (the Birds)

Ken,

I have done this myself at times with lithium grease.
Some faders have cast aluminum frames (on the moving part) with
plastic
or nylon bearings (end caps).
You can pop off the nylon caps and fill the aluminum cylinders with
lithium grease, then snap the nylon caps back on (and I've broken a
few
nylon caps in the process).
Only the better faders have this type of construction.
The best have faders have plastic or nylon wheels that roll on the
guide
bars.
If the faders aren't constructed like this, I suggest only using Caig
Cai Lube.
And for someone who doesn't have the experience, I suggest the same.

There are other lures for faders, but you should check with the
manufacturers for recommendations.
Most manufacturers will likely recommend only Cai Lube for faders.
I know for sure that Yamaha (3K & 4K) recommends ONLY Cai Lube -
period.

There are many styles of faders.
Some faders (cheap ones) must be totally dismantled to clean properly
(and make sure you remember how they came apart).
This is something I've learned by necessity and by expensive personal
experience; and I have ruined at least a few fixable faders in the
process.
If you have questions about your faders, I'll try to be more specific.

One thing that I noticed is that old faders will not all feel the same
after cleaning, nor will pots or switches.
Some will move with very little pressure, and some will feel a bit
stiff.
When you encounter this dilemma, it's probably time to buy some new
faders, etc.

Denny"

I have some other stuff with European brands, etc. if you'd rather.
Good fortune,

Chris Hornbeck
"That is my Theory, and what it is too."
Anne Elk

[Scott Dorsey]

Peter B. > wrote:
>I'd like to restore the smooth feel to some old faders I have on a
>synth of mine. I'm going to be opening up the baqcks of all the faders
>and doing a proper cleaning of them. The grease is old and sticky and
>the bushings (nylon?) slide too slow on the internal tracks. Pot
>cleaner makes the slide action a lot faster but it's not a smooth
>fast. What kind of cleaning and lubing supplies should I have stocked
>on hand for this task? I don't want to use something that will break
>down plastics or be an ineffective lube over the long run.

White lithium grease seems fine.

I have been using Mobil 1 Racing Grease because it stays in place and is
very slick, but don't get it on the actual elements.

Some of the faders are designed not to have any grease on the rail, just
a very light oil. In that case, rubbing them down with turbine oil is
the thing to do, to get all the old gunk off.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."