From:    Steve Litt <slitt@???>

Date:    Fri, 17 Jan 2025 06:43:37 -0500

> https://troubleshooters.com/tpromag/200310/200310.htm

Good article. Will recommend to anyone who might be receptive. If
only every owner of an electronic machine would take an interest.
=8~/

Shielding of contacts against corrosion is known to vehicle owners.
Grease has long been used on battery posts and clamps. =8~)

A wooden toothpick is a good application tool. Wood absorbs oily and
greasy materials. That helps avoid drips. =8~)

In most situations a round toothpick is better than a flat one. The
shaft can be rolled between the fingers and the point fits into many
round sockets. The objective is to coat a surface; not sluice it.

A tissue or scrap of cloth can wipe card edge contacts with
non-conductive lubricant. Again, the objective is to coat; not
sluice.

Information about the chemistry of lubrication and shielding materials
is not easily found. Particularly for proprietary material. =8~/

Decades ago an electric motor expert rewound the rotor of a high
quality grinder. (Try to find someone to do that work now!)
Incidentally he gave advice to never apply automotive oil to a bronze
bushing. Detergent in the oil results in clogging of the porosity of
sintered bronze. Consequenty flow of oil through the bushing stops.
Then it wears and fails prematurely. =8~/ I don't know the
explanation at a chemical or molecular level but since learning to use
only non-detergent oil, bronze bushings have performed far better.
=8~)

A simple observation is easily made: detergent is chemically basic.
Generally acidic or basic pH should be avoided to preserve metal. So
don't apply engine oil or transmission fluid to valuable metals. That
includes metal in electronics and in fine devices such as mechanical
watches.

Regards,                             ... P.

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