Best Way To Lubricate a Wah

[diablo175]

Gotta VERY squeaky (not scratchy i.e. potentiometer) Dunlop Crybaby 535 Q Wah pedal. Any thoughts on how to lubricate it to eliminate squeak? Reasonably sure it's the pivot point in the chassis and not the pot itself. I'm leery of applying lithium grease or 3-in-1 oil as both have netted less than stellar results in the past. It may very well have been HOW I applied it, too.

 

 

[hamerhead]

Tri-Flow. Comes in different forms. Works awesome.

[murkat]

die electric grease, found in most electrical sections at common hardware stores.

[bubs_42]

Sex Wax @diablo175, you know that's what your potting your pickups with anyway. 

[HamerCustomEr]

On 9/10/2020 at 3:19 PM, diablo175 said:

Gotta VERY squeaky (not scratchy i.e. potentiometer) Dunlop Crybaby 535 Q Wah pedal. Any thoughts on how to lubricate it to eliminate squeak? Reasonably sure it's the pivot point in the chassis and not the pot itself. I'm leery of applying lithium grease or 3-in-1 oil as both have netted less than stellar results in the past. It may very well have been HOW I applied it, too.

 

 

For a fatter tone, try lard!  (Just kidding!)  Seriously, it looks like you already got some good advice.

[diablo175]

Unfortunately, none of these have worked. I am left to conclude that it's not the hinges on the chassis but is likely the pot or some part of that mechanism that operates it. F-ing annoying!!!

[Menehune]

6 hours ago, diablo175 said:

Unfortunately, none of these have worked. I am left to conclude that it's not the hinges on the chassis but is likely the pot or some part of that mechanism that operates it. F-ing annoying!!!

Might it be a resonance between the toothed bar and the plastic "pressure pad" piece used to keep the bar teeth pressed against the pot pinion? Absent that, unscrew the pressure pad, swing back the toothed bar, and rotate the pot by hand. If THAT squeaks, new pot time.

Edt: If it's the pot, and you want to try to save it, score a can of Caig Labs Calilube MCL (Moving Control Lubricant). Besides lubing and refreshing the electrical properties of moving control surfaces, it will also lube the other moving surfaces of a pot, such as the shaft and bushing. There are some fabulous high-tech lubricants out there, but they will eventually creep onto conductive surfaces, so you'll want to research their effects upon conductivity before using them.

[DaveH]

Maybe Remington 'Dri Lube'... its in a spray can. Goes on wet and dries to the touch in a few seconds. 

https://www.amazon.com/Interstate-Arms-Corp-Remington-DriLube/dp/B0000C50JZ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&hvadid=78065379719383&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=remington+dry+lube&qid=1602454233&sr=8-1&tag=mh0b-20