Question re: P&G fader maintenance

[the-oger]

G’day folks. I hope this is the right place to post this…

My console (Ward Beck) has P&G 1550 series faders, and I’m hearing some “fader flutter” here & there. I took the covers off a few faders... they're not all "gunked up", but they're certainly not brand new looking either. Also, some of the faders feel “tighter” than others (not a good "tight"... more like, stiff), especially at the “down” end. I’d like to do some cleaning, but have a couple questions:

1- How do I clean the conductive plastic? I was going to squirt some Caig “CaiLube MCL Moving Fader Lubricant”. Is this good stuff? Anything better? And after the squirt, do I just exercise the sh!t out of them?

2- What should I use to lube the guide rods… Caig “ProGold”? Silicon oil? Should they be cleaned with anything first?

Upon searching the net I also came across references that suggested to only use warm water for cleaning the conductive plastic, and even other references suggesting that NO lubrication should be used on either the plastic conductor strip OR the guide rods because undesirable buildup could occur….???

Thanks in advance... any suggestions will be appreciated.

Oger

[Rick Sutton]

I'm not a tech but I've been maintaining my P&G faders on my last three consoles for 25 years. Long ago when I had some fader problems I contacted P&G directly and they said to use only distilled water (NOT tap water) on the conductive plastic with a cotton swab. Any thing else, including any lubrication is NOT recommended.
On the slider rod, clean first with lint free cloth ( I honestly don't remember what cleaning fluid they recommended, but something like isopropyl alcohol would work) then lubricate with silicon lubricant (I use some that is sort of like a lipstick form that I rub on to the rod).
Hope that helps.

[brianroth]

Contact Dale Menquen for the proper procedures, lubes, etc:

http://www.manquen.net/png/

In addition to being the "small quantity" supplier for P&G in the USA, he also was one of the developers of the Flying Faders system (and, he's a super nice guy!).

Bri

[Matt Syson]

Hi folks
The advice from Rick is what I have been told by P+G themselves. If the track is a bit messed up, after cleaning it with water (distilled) you can spray it with PTFE dry lubricant. Just the mearest hint of spray then polish it up with a lint free cloth until it has a mirror like finish. When silicone oiling the bars, make sure it can't migrate to the tracks. P+G should have spare parts available via dealers for bits that are really worn out.
Matt S

[the-oger]

Originally Posted by Rick Sutton

I use some that is sort of like a lipstick form that I rub on to the rod

Rick… you just keep yer damn lipstick away from my rod!

Thanks for the link to Manquen Brian – lots of great info there.

Thank you all for the info.

Oger