Is it OK to use Silicone Grease to lubricate Pots?

[Retro Addict]

Hi, after using Servisol Super 10 electrical cleaning lubricant in the volume, bass and treble pots, I sometimes find that the cleaner leaves the pots under-lubricated to the point where I can feel slight grating when I turn the controls. They also lose their smooth high quality feel. Surely this would wear them out eventually.

I read somewhere that silicone grease spray is the way to go, to re-lubricate the pots. Is it safe? Does it prevent the conductive nature of the control? Does it degrade the parts?

I've got some of this spray, which is meant for plumbing and guttering, but on the back it says it "can be used to lubricate all kinds of materials", so it's silicone lubricant / grease in a can. Perfect to try out, or an absolute no go? I don't want to wreck a box trying it out!

Any input will be gladly received!

Thanks.

 

[Beosystem10]

On bearing surfaces only, never on the tracks. S10 has enough of the correct type of flash lubricant for those and if they feel rough then it's time to take them apart and clean them properly and/or replace the pots' carbon wipers where fitted.

 

[Retro Addict]

Thanks for the reply. As I don't know what a pot looks like on the inside, I don't know if I'm getting the lubricant on the bearing surfaces or tracks. In fact, I don't know what those parts are. I was just going to spray it in the top where the knob fits on. The problem I have is the pots have gone dry feeling after using S10.

 

[Beosystem10]

Then it's time to get intimate with them I'm afraid. The bearing I was meaning is simply that which supports the spindle within the face plate of the pot, it's likely that the solvent content has washed the old grease out of there and there'd only have been a wipe to start with, no more needed, the wiper is the thing that looks like the tip of a pencil which is carried in the round, steel framework that moves when you turn the spindle, that wiper is the contact between the track (round carbon thing on the bottom of the face plate pointing into the can) and the contact that takes supply to the audio amplifier. The S10's flash lubricant leaves a very fine layer of silicon-free (nylon-based) material on the track and if it's rougher after applying that, then either the wiper has worn away, dropped out or it's a cheap pot that doesn't use one and relies on a direct connection between the track and an all-steel wiper with two very fine tines that move against the track. In that case, a fine layer of carbon builds up around each tip and effectively lubricates the thing, any more than a drop of S10 in there will tend to wash the carbon out and hasten the wear on the track, hence your roughness if there wasn't a separate wiper tip fitted.
I have a few apart at home and would be glad to post pics next time I'm there, if you haven't opened the pot up and sorted it by then.