If you’ve ever spent days tracking down electrical gremlins—be they dim headlights or a crackle in your stereo—then we don’t have to tell you how much of a headache it is.

And for us, we often discover the problem lies in dirty, corroded electrical connectors or switches.

That’s precisely why we’re big fans of the lineup of DeoxIT Contact Cleaners from CAIG Laboratories. DeoxIT products help dissolve the surface corrosion that builds up on electrical connectors and bulb sockets, causing issues like dim lights, erratic gauge readings, and (for computer-controlled EFI applications) unpredictable engine performance.

caig deoxit on pinball machine
Light bulbs on old pinball machines—and within automotive dashes and gauge clusters—are particularly susceptible to dimming and blinking thanks to the constant vibration and shock. An occasional shot of DeoxIT ensures bulb sockets stay clean and maintain excellent contact. (Image/OnAllCylinders)

Better still, depending on the product you choose, CAIG has solutions that are much gentler on delicate finishes than some of the more harsh contact cleaners you’ll find on the market—pretty handy if you’re spraying around vintage paint, plastics, and fabrics. Some of the cleaners in CAIG’s lineup also lubricate as well, which is beneficial for separating stubborn electrical connectors and terminals, along with making sure your buttons and switches operate smoothly.

Most importantly, these cleaners can help protect against future buildup and oxidation, so you can cut down on regular maintenance intervals.

caig deoxit d100 near guitar on workbench
If you work around vintage guitars much, you know that some pickguards will actually begin to shrink(!) the minute you unscrew them—so you’ve got to work fast. Deoxit D100 has a metered, controlled blast that lets you quickly move from point to point with precision to avoid overspray. (Image/OnAllCylinders)

The key here is “lineup,” because CAIG doesn’t just make a single contact cleaner—it offers a range of formulations tailored to specific jobs around the house and garage. Here’s a quick rundown of some of our more popular choices:

  • CAIG Contact Cleaner Wash – Here’s good general-use contact cleaner that’s handy for a wide range of basic electrical jobs.
  • DeoxIT DN5 Spray – This non-flammable contact cleaner spray dries quickly and won’t drip—perfect for use around sensitive materials.
  • DeoxIT D100 Spray – D100 is pure, uncut DeoxIT Cleaner for areas that need maximum lubrication. To reduce overspray, the can has a metered one-shot dispenser.
  • DeoxIT Gold G5 Spray – It’s formulated specifically for gold-plated connectors, but works equally well on silver, brass, and copper.
  • DeoxIT Screen Cleaner – Don’t use harmful ammonia-based window cleaner on your TV and phone screens—use this! (It’s handy for those handheld EFI tuner module screens too.)
Deoxit D100 can on Mcintosh Tube Amp 2
The heat cycling seen on vacuum tubes can cause crackling in your audio signal as the tube pins slightly expand and contract with use. A regular cleaning helps prevent that. (Image/OnAllCylinders)

We’re particularly fond of using CAIG contact cleaners on our car battery terminals—in our experience, this is where a lot of electrical gremlins are born. In fact, CAIG made an entire tutorial video on how to properly clean and condition your vehicle’s battery terminals to ensure years of frustration-free operation. Give it a looksee below:

CAIG Laboratories makes a lot more electrical contact cleaning products and soldering aids too, click here to see everything available at Summit Racing.

Keywords
CAIG, Electrical Connectors, parts bin
Share this Article
Author: Paul Sakalas

Paul is the editor of OnAllCylinders. When he's not writing, you'll probably find him fixing oil leaks in a Jeep CJ-5 or roof leaks in an old Corvette ragtop. Thanks to a penchant for vintage Honda motorcycles, he spends the rest of his time fiddling with carburetors and cleaning chain lube off his left pant leg.