[miklorsmith]

How do people clean their XLR and RCA connections?  I'm about to tackle a complete cleaning of everything possible.  I'll be using Caig Pro Gold and Deoxit.  The outsides of connections will be easy enough, but do folks try to get into the female ends of things, with their stereo connections I mean?

If so, what do you use?  Pipecleaners would seem a little coarse for this, any ideas?

[twitch54]

pipecleaners are perfect, just use the ones that are all fabric. I do my connections twice a year @ clock change time, smoke alarm batteries, etc.

[woodsyi]

Here is an alternative.
http://www.promotorcarproducts.com/pbrush.htm/?searchterm=micro%20brush

[Toka]

I'm a Caig guy all the way (DeOxit/ProGold). I don't really go out of my way to get to the female connections, though. How often depends on where you live...if I lived in a humid/salty environment (like on/near a beach), I'd probably clean them at least once a year. In colder/drier climates, I clean them when I first hook something up, and maybe when I add something new. No real schedule or anything, mostly for peace of mind.

[goldlizsts]

Here is an alternative.
http://www.promotorcarproducts.com/pbrush.htm/?searchterm=micro%20brush

Good recommendation.  But... just called several places, and going in circles.  I called a NJ Autobody Jobbers place after the company gave me the info.  Then, NJAJ told me they don't sell to the public, and I was given a local company, Katz Bros. in Harlem here in NYC.  Katz told me they don't stock it, they'd have to order from NJAJ, and they don't have a price for me.  So I called NJAJ, and NJAJ told me they don't give prices to the public (me!).  I called Katz, and Katz will call NJAJ to get the prices for me.  I will call back to find out tomorrow....  Hard to get stuff, but seems a good recommendation.

For cleaning contacts, I use Kontak .  It's from England, I've seen it listed in eBay (or even Audiogon! tho not too sure), for like $30 for a small bottle (exxxxxpensive! ).  But, it really cleans.  When I use it, the Q-Tip really comes out with the corrosive evidence (blackish deposit).  There IS audible sonic results too (immediate gratification).  It was highly recommended by Stereophile or ABS, don't quite remember who recommended it.  Think it's more likely Stereophile.

[jonwb]

I have a question while we're on the topic...

I have both of the aforementioned Caig products.  What's the best order? I'm thinking Deoxit and then Pro Gold?

[djbnh]

I have a question while we're on the topic...

I have both of the aforementioned Caig products.  What's the best order? I'm thinking Deoxit and then Pro Gold?

Yes, if you are married to using those products.

I own both the Caig DeoxIT and ProGold products. I use DeoxIT on medium to heavily oxidized tube pins, and initially on untreated but used ICs, RCAs and RCA connectors, speaker cable banana-spades-prongs / intra-speaker & amp-speaker cable connectors, IECs, and PCs. From my experience it seems the DeoxIT pen delivery system works quite well for some things, and the spray is the more efficacious treatment for other items.

However, I hardly ever use ProGold anymore. I find that Walker SST is much better in my system with my gear to my ears.      [NOTE: Use maximum care in applying the Walker product; FYI - works great on phono cartridge and tube pins!] I can plug and unplug the Walker treated connectors / etc a number of times before having to reapply the SST. The only use ProGold currently gets is for my headphone system's IC plugs / IC connectors, and 1/4" headphone plug / 1/4"-to-1/8" plug adaptor. YMMV.

FYI: ProGold's name was changed in 2006 to DeoxIT Gold.