Can you lubricate/loosen a potentiometer?

[Stormy151]

I'm working on building my own SW yoke, and I'm using 5k Radio Shack pots.  They have that "volume knob" feel to them when turned, making the assembly feel kind of tight.  IIRC the original SW yoke was pretty loose- is there a way to loosen or lube a pot to make it move more freely?

I mean, I'd just squirt WD into the thing- but I'm worried about messing up the electric properties of them.

[Tailgunner]

I'd give it a little time to wear in, it should both smooth out and loosen up after a bit of use.

[Ken Layton]

Never use WD-40 as volume control cleaner. Radio Shack has a good volume control spray cleaner (# 64-4315).

Of course I use an excellent cleaner called Nu-Trol Control Cleaner (# 401B-140g) by M.G. Chemicals (www.mgchemicals.com). It's for professional use only not normally sold to the general public.

[Stormy151]

Does it also serve as a lubricant?

I wasn't going to spray WD-40 in there, I know it would gunk up the contacts.

[Ken Layton]

Yes, the Radio Shack and Nu-Trol have lubricants in them.