Contact Cleaners

2100 Views 16 Replies 12 Participants Last post by bobarama, Apr 22, 2013

MikeBen

Discussion Starter · Apr 20, 2013

Ok, 2 Questens here
1: contact cleaners for sticky buttons, where, and what kind, i have went to autozone, walmart, they have nothing, where can i get it and what is the name brand?
2: i have a 86 aspencade, i have the built in compresser, isnt there supposed to be an extra hose to fill the tires somewhere? one that connects to the onboard to the tire? would anyone have a pic of one soi i know what to look for? thanks so much for any replies.

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rayworx

· #2 · Apr 20, 2013

I prefer the contact cleaner sold by Radio Shack or other electronic shops for computer keyboards. There are thin plastic pieces inside the switches that can melt if the contact cleaner is TOO strong. It's a good idea to have some compressed air handy…. the cans of air work good.

If I recall…. the hose was not supplied with the bike. I think it was available as an additional purchase.
Try this ebay link…..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-GL180...Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d3614ce4b&vxp=mtr

JerryH

· #3 · Apr 20, 2013

I used spray brake parts cleaner from Walmart as contact cleaner for years, but it may be too strong for what you are wanting it for. You can get real contact cleaner at NAPA. Not cheap. I would first try WD-40 if you haven't already. It is a fairly decent solvent for cleaning handlebar switches, and will not harm plastic. It also leaves a protective coating to help prevent corrosion. If that doesn't work, you can still try the contact cleaner.

rpeters549

· #4 · Apr 20, 2013

I have a can of electrical contact cleaner I use, forget the brand, but it is a white can with blue and red writing on it. I have used WD40 successfully also though.
As for the hose, yes it is an aftermarket item. I think I got mine from Chromeworld or something.

tricky

· #5 · Apr 20, 2013

rayworx said:
I prefer the contact cleaner sold by Radio Shack or other electronic shops for computer keyboards. There are thin plastic pieces inside the switches that can melt if the contact cleaner is TOO strong. It's a good idea to have some compressed air handy…. the cans of air work good.

If I recall…. the hose was not supplied with the bike. I think it was available as an additional purchase.
Try this ebay link…..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-GL180...Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d3614ce4b&vxp=mtr

The air hose was supplied as standard equipment on the Aspencade and Ltd editions.

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rayworx

· #6 · Apr 20, 2013

tricky said:
The air hose was supplied as standard equipment on the Aspencade and Ltd editions.

I stand corrected…. but it's been lost over the years. I'm guessing that's not so uncommon.

Ken Bergen

· #7 · Apr 20, 2013

rayworx said:
I stand corrected…. but it's been lost over the years. I'm guessing that's not so uncommon.

Yep. it's rare to find an older bike or car for that matter with a full tool kit.

fujimo

· #8 · Apr 20, 2013

Q-d electronic cleaner at wal-mart = $4.47 .... Same thing at advance auto = $7.75 per/can. Been using it for years .... Not harsh, and evaporates super quick.

luckyone

· #9 · Apr 20, 2013

I generally just use silicone spray. You can buy it at any auto parts store. I find that silicone spray dries well and leaves no noticeable residue to collect dirt. I have also used WD-40 to flush out greasy residue left over from poor contact cleaners or from wax and soap left over from bike cleaning. Then I follow that up with silicone spray as a lubricant.

I bought my 1990 GL1500 used and all the electrical switches were gunked up. I believe the previous owners used spray wax after washing the bike. It was so bad that I had to take apart both left and right handle bar switch clusters and disassemble the switches to clean the gunk out. It wasn't a difficult job, but there are lots of tiny bits and springs. You have to study the switches a bit to figure out how they snap together so you can pry them apart, but they do come apart. I did not break a single switch body or have to unsolder the switches from their wires. At 53 I needed a good strong pair of reading glasses.

When I wash my bike I always cover the handle bar switch clusters with plastic bags.

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rpeters549

· #10 · Apr 20, 2013

Berryman.
I think the name of the contact cleaner I use is Berryman.
And I was mistaken on the hose, also. I missed the model of the bike.

bobarama

· #11 · Apr 22, 2013

I bought my can of electrical contact cleaner off of eBay.
It was advertised as: "Max Blow Off™ #2053 Electrical Contact Cleaner 4 oz"
Well worth it. It fixed the air pump buttons and the radio buttons on my 83 Aspencade AND my neighbor's non-functioning starter button on his BMW.

Wingnoob

· #12 · Apr 22, 2013

tricky said:
The air hose was supplied as standard equipment on the Aspencade and Ltd editions.

rayworx said:
I stand corrected…. but it's been lost over the years. I'm guessing that's not so uncommon.

My '85 Aspy came with the air hose, original owner's manual, leather wrapped Aspencade tool kit, and the original fitted Aspencade luggage bags . . .

oldwing99

· #13 · Apr 22, 2013

Be careful with overspray. I used the Radio Shack "Control Contact Cleaner and Lubricant" number 64-4315. It says safe on most plastics and my experience is that it has worked well on my switches. I also agree with the use of compressed air with the process.

tricky

· #14 · Apr 22, 2013

Wingnoob said:
My '85 Aspy came with the air hose, original owner's manual, leather wrapped Aspencade tool kit, and the original fitted Aspencade luggage bags . . .

Your one of the lucky ones

But of course it is the right color

JerryH

· #15 · Apr 22, 2013

I found both CRC and Berryman contact cleaners at O'Reilly's Auto Parts. Make sure you don't use Berrymans carb cleaner, also known as B-12 Chemtool. It melts plastic.

Dodge

· #16 · Apr 22, 2013

Caig Deoxit brand, best by far. Will clean and lube at the same time. Plastic safe and non flammable is expensive however. I have used it on my bike and my stereo gear for a while. I have never been able to find it locally also buy it online. Just my 2 cents worth.

bobarama

· #17 · Apr 22, 2013

oldwing99 said:
Be careful with overspray. I used the Radio Shack "Control Contact Cleaner and Lubricant" number 64-4315. It says safe on most plastics and my experience is that it has worked well on my switches. I also agree with the use of compressed air with the process.

The stuff i got on eBay did not hurt my radio, dash or fairing. It said "safe for plastics" on the can, and it was.

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