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What is this stuff?
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micky
May 29, 2021, 5:55:31 PM5/29/21
to
Someone on Freecycle gave me a nice tv, pretty old, but comelete with
owners manual and remote control.
The remote works fine except for the buttons used the most, volume up
and down, channel up and down, power, and muting.
I took it apart and expected to find oxidized contact points, but no.
Instead those buttons, on the circuit board and on the buttons, are
shiny and a little bit sticky. I forced myself to taste it, but I don't
taste anything.
3 other buttons have a little of those, but no more than 4% of any
button.
What is this, how does it get in there, and [what do I do about it}?
I have DeoxitIT, what I've read is the best, but I guess I've never used
it before, and it didn't remove the stickiness. Not only that, these
contacts aren't copper-colored, and as the name impplied, it's really to
remove and prevent oxidization, so I switched to isopropyl alcohol and
that did a good job.
So I know what to do about it, but what is that stuff? Finger oil?
owners manual and remote control.
The remote works fine except for the buttons used the most, volume up
and down, channel up and down, power, and muting.
I took it apart and expected to find oxidized contact points, but no.
Instead those buttons, on the circuit board and on the buttons, are
shiny and a little bit sticky. I forced myself to taste it, but I don't
taste anything.
3 other buttons have a little of those, but no more than 4% of any
button.
What is this, how does it get in there, and [what do I do about it}?
I have DeoxitIT, what I've read is the best, but I guess I've never used
it before, and it didn't remove the stickiness. Not only that, these
contacts aren't copper-colored, and as the name impplied, it's really to
remove and prevent oxidization, so I switched to isopropyl alcohol and
that did a good job.
So I know what to do about it, but what is that stuff? Finger oil?
Rayner Lucas
May 29, 2021, 8:36:44 PM5/29/21
to
In article <grb5bghglhuog6va9...@4ax.com>, NONONOmisc07
@fmguy.com says...
substance I found inside someone else's remote control.
I'd bet on something like a spilled drink of some kind, KFC/pizza
grease, or some other such residue from someone's movie-night snacks.
R
@fmguy.com says...
>
> Someone on Freecycle gave me a nice tv, pretty old, but comelete with
> owners manual and remote control.
>
> The remote works fine except for the buttons used the most, volume up
> and down, channel up and down, power, and muting.
>
> I took it apart and expected to find oxidized contact points, but no.
> Instead those buttons, on the circuit board and on the buttons, are
> shiny and a little bit sticky. I forced myself to taste it, but I don't
> taste anything.
>
[snip]
> Someone on Freecycle gave me a nice tv, pretty old, but comelete with
> owners manual and remote control.
>
> The remote works fine except for the buttons used the most, volume up
> and down, channel up and down, power, and muting.
>
> I took it apart and expected to find oxidized contact points, but no.
> Instead those buttons, on the circuit board and on the buttons, are
> shiny and a little bit sticky. I forced myself to taste it, but I don't
> taste anything.
>
>
> So I know what to do about it, but what is that stuff? Finger oil?
I don't think I'm capable of feeling enough curiosity to taste a
> So I know what to do about it, but what is that stuff? Finger oil?
substance I found inside someone else's remote control.
I'd bet on something like a spilled drink of some kind, KFC/pizza
grease, or some other such residue from someone's movie-night snacks.
R
whit3rd
May 29, 2021, 9:27:26 PM5/29/21
to
On Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 2:55:31 PM UTC-7, micky wrote:
> The remote works fine except for the buttons used the most, volume up
> and down, channel up and down, power, and muting.
>
> I took it apart and expected to find oxidized contact points, but no.
> Instead those buttons, on the circuit board and on the buttons, are
> shiny and a little bit sticky. ...
> The remote works fine except for the buttons used the most, volume up
> and down, channel up and down, power, and muting.
>
> I took it apart and expected to find oxidized contact points, but no.
> Instead those buttons, on the circuit board and on the buttons, are
> What is this, how does it get in there, and [what do I do about it}?
>
> I have DeoxitIT, what I've read is the best, but I guess I've never used
> it before, and it didn't remove the stickiness. Not only that, these
> contacts aren't copper-colored, and as the name impplied, it's really to
> remove and prevent oxidization, so I switched to isopropyl alcohol and
> that did a good job.
'plasticizer'. Lots of plastic formulations 'sweat' this stuff, and isopropyl
is a good solvent for it. Glycerine, too, should work.
DeOxit formulations DO enhance contact, it's worth applying after cleaning.
Rod Speed
May 29, 2021, 9:40:30 PM5/29/21
to
micky <NONONO...@fmguy.com> wrote
> Someone on Freecycle gave me a nice tv, pretty old,
> but comelete with owners manual and remote control.
> The remote works fine except for the buttons used the most,
> volume up and down, channel up and down, power, and muting.
That's pretty common with older remotes.
> I took it apart and expected to find oxidized contact points,
They are normally gold plated so don't oxidise.
> but no. Instead those buttons, on the circuit board
> and on the buttons, are shiny and a little bit sticky.
Likely someone managed to spill something on the remote.
> I forced myself to taste it, but I don't taste anything.
Likely because it has been there a while.
> 3 other buttons have a little of those,
> but no more than 4% of any button.
> What is this, how does it get in there,
Likely someone spilt something on the remote.
> and [what do I do about it}?
Wash it off.
> I have DeoxitIT, what I've read is the best, but I guess I've
> never used it before, and it didn't remove the stickiness.
Not surprising that it didn't.
> Not only that, these contacts aren't copper-colored,
> and as the name impplied, it's really to remove and
> prevent oxidization, so I switched to isopropyl
> alcohol and that did a good job.
> So I know what to do about it, but what is that stuff? Finger oil?
More likely spilled drink. Finger oil isnt sticky.
> Someone on Freecycle gave me a nice tv, pretty old,
> but comelete with owners manual and remote control.
> The remote works fine except for the buttons used the most,
> volume up and down, channel up and down, power, and muting.
> I took it apart and expected to find oxidized contact points,
> but no. Instead those buttons, on the circuit board
> and on the buttons, are shiny and a little bit sticky.
> I forced myself to taste it, but I don't taste anything.
> 3 other buttons have a little of those,
> but no more than 4% of any button.
> What is this, how does it get in there,
> and [what do I do about it}?
> I have DeoxitIT, what I've read is the best, but I guess I've
> never used it before, and it didn't remove the stickiness.
> Not only that, these contacts aren't copper-colored,
> and as the name impplied, it's really to remove and
> prevent oxidization, so I switched to isopropyl
> alcohol and that did a good job.
> So I know what to do about it, but what is that stuff? Finger oil?
micky
May 30, 2021, 1:10:35 AM5/30/21
to
In alt.home.repair, on Sun, 30 May 2021 11:40:21 +1000, "Rod Speed"
Lines in some pattern that filled the cirular area that matched the
button.
I figured a little bit couldn't kill me. The guy who gave it to me
seems like a very clean guy!
>> I have DeoxitIT, what I've read is the best, but I guess I've
>> never used it before, and it didn't remove the stickiness.
>
>Not surprising that it didn't.
Before I took it apart, I figured DeoxitIT was what it needed, and I was
a slow to change plans.
But as to something spilled on it, I don't see how that could be since
the buttons affected were at 4 corners of the remote with lots of
buttons in between, unblemished rows and columns in between.
Only the controls people use a lot, plus Mute, were dirty. It must
have to do with normal use.
<rod.sp...@gmail.com> wrote:
>micky <NONONO...@fmguy.com> wrote
>
>> Someone on Freecycle gave me a nice tv, pretty old,
>> but comelete with owners manual and remote control.
>
>> The remote works fine except for the buttons used the most,
>> volume up and down, channel up and down, power, and muting.
>
>That's pretty common with older remotes.
>
>> I took it apart and expected to find oxidized contact points,
>
>They are normally gold plated so don't oxidise.
They weren't that either. Everything was black, but not solid black.
>micky <NONONO...@fmguy.com> wrote
>
>> Someone on Freecycle gave me a nice tv, pretty old,
>> but comelete with owners manual and remote control.
>
>> The remote works fine except for the buttons used the most,
>> volume up and down, channel up and down, power, and muting.
>
>That's pretty common with older remotes.
>
>> I took it apart and expected to find oxidized contact points,
>
>They are normally gold plated so don't oxidise.
Lines in some pattern that filled the cirular area that matched the
button.
>
>> but no. Instead those buttons, on the circuit board
>> and on the buttons, are shiny and a little bit sticky.
>
>Likely someone managed to spill something on the remote.
>
>> I forced myself to taste it, but I don't taste anything.
I didn't like tasting it, expecially since I was sick two nights ago but
>> but no. Instead those buttons, on the circuit board
>> and on the buttons, are shiny and a little bit sticky.
>
>Likely someone managed to spill something on the remote.
>
>> I forced myself to taste it, but I don't taste anything.
I figured a little bit couldn't kill me. The guy who gave it to me
seems like a very clean guy!
>
>Likely because it has been there a while.
>
>> 3 other buttons have a little of those,
>> but no more than 4% of any button.
>
>> What is this, how does it get in there,
>
>Likely someone spilt something on the remote.
>
>> and [what do I do about it}?
>
>Wash it off.
I went back and put that in brackets after I figrued out what to do. ;-0
>Likely because it has been there a while.
>
>> 3 other buttons have a little of those,
>> but no more than 4% of any button.
>
>> What is this, how does it get in there,
>
>Likely someone spilt something on the remote.
>
>> and [what do I do about it}?
>
>Wash it off.
>> I have DeoxitIT, what I've read is the best, but I guess I've
>> never used it before, and it didn't remove the stickiness.
>
>Not surprising that it didn't.
a slow to change plans.
But as to something spilled on it, I don't see how that could be since
the buttons affected were at 4 corners of the remote with lots of
buttons in between, unblemished rows and columns in between.
Only the controls people use a lot, plus Mute, were dirty. It must
have to do with normal use.
Andy Burns
May 30, 2021, 1:43:42 AM5/30/21
to
micky wrote:
> what is that stuff? Finger oil?
I've always assumed so, combined with whatever gets spilled on remotes,
> what is that stuff? Finger oil?
I'd never taste my own remote juice, let alone someone else's, yesh
alcohol usually works (vodka if necessary and doing it for a favour when
away from home)
Rod Speed
May 30, 2021, 3:11:43 AM5/30/21
to
micky <NONONO...@fmguy.com> wrote
>>> The remote works fine except for the buttons used the most,
>>> volume up and down, channel up and down, power, and muting.
>> That's pretty common with older remotes.
>>> I took it apart and expected to find oxidized contact points,
>> They are normally gold plated so don't oxidise.
> They weren't that either. Everything was black, but not solid black.
> Lines in some pattern that filled the cirular area that matched the
> button.
That's normal, the button end that touches those electrically
connects those lines. They should be two separate electrically
separate lines, usually each set joined at one end of each set
with the lines interspersed
>>> but no. Instead those buttons, on the circuit board
>>> and on the buttons, are shiny and a little bit sticky.
>> Likely someone managed to spill something on the remote.
>>> I forced myself to taste it, but I don't taste anything.
> I didn't like tasting it,
Yeah, specially if the previous owner had been into the porn channels.
> expecially since I was sick two nights ago but
> I figured a little bit couldn't kill me. The guy
> who gave it to me seems like a very clean guy!
>> Likely because it has been there a while.
>>> 3 other buttons have a little of those,
>>> but no more than 4% of any button.
>>> What is this, how does it get in there,
>> Likely someone spilt something on the remote.
>>> and [what do I do about it}?
>> Wash it off.
> I went back and put that in brackets after I figrued out what to do. ;-0
>>> I have DeoxitIT, what I've read is the best, but I guess I've
>>> never used it before, and it didn't remove the stickiness.
>> Not surprising that it didn't.
> Before I took it apart, I figured DeoxitIT was what
> it needed, and I was a slow to change plans.
> But as to something spilled on it, I don't see how that could be since
> the buttons affected were at 4 corners of the remote with lots of
> buttons in between, unblemished rows and columns in between.
It might well be that that proves it was a spill because the
rubber buttons are usually in a mat and the spilled liquid
could only get around the corners of the mat.
> Only the controls people use a lot, plus Mute, were dirty.
> It must have to do with normal use.
Not necessarily with the buttons on the corners.
But its possible it is plasticiser out of the buttons.
>>> Not only that, these contacts aren't copper-colored,
>>> and as the name impplied, it's really to remove and
>>> prevent oxidization, so I switched to isopropyl
>>> alcohol and that did a good job.
>>> So I know what to do about it, but what is that stuff? Finger oil?
>> More likely spilled drink. Finger oil isnt sticky.
But plasticiser can be.
> Rod Speed <rod.sp...@gmail.com> wrote
>> micky <NONONO...@fmguy.com> wrote
>>> Someone on Freecycle gave me a nice tv, pretty old,
>>> but comelete with owners manual and remote control.
Whats the brand and model ?
>> micky <NONONO...@fmguy.com> wrote
>>> Someone on Freecycle gave me a nice tv, pretty old,
>>> but comelete with owners manual and remote control.
>>> The remote works fine except for the buttons used the most,
>>> volume up and down, channel up and down, power, and muting.
>> That's pretty common with older remotes.
>>> I took it apart and expected to find oxidized contact points,
>> They are normally gold plated so don't oxidise.
> They weren't that either. Everything was black, but not solid black.
> Lines in some pattern that filled the cirular area that matched the
> button.
connects those lines. They should be two separate electrically
separate lines, usually each set joined at one end of each set
with the lines interspersed
>>> but no. Instead those buttons, on the circuit board
>>> and on the buttons, are shiny and a little bit sticky.
>> Likely someone managed to spill something on the remote.
>>> I forced myself to taste it, but I don't taste anything.
> I didn't like tasting it,
> expecially since I was sick two nights ago but
> I figured a little bit couldn't kill me. The guy
> who gave it to me seems like a very clean guy!
>> Likely because it has been there a while.
>>> 3 other buttons have a little of those,
>>> but no more than 4% of any button.
>>> What is this, how does it get in there,
>> Likely someone spilt something on the remote.
>>> and [what do I do about it}?
>> Wash it off.
> I went back and put that in brackets after I figrued out what to do. ;-0
>>> I have DeoxitIT, what I've read is the best, but I guess I've
>>> never used it before, and it didn't remove the stickiness.
>> Not surprising that it didn't.
> Before I took it apart, I figured DeoxitIT was what
> it needed, and I was a slow to change plans.
> But as to something spilled on it, I don't see how that could be since
> the buttons affected were at 4 corners of the remote with lots of
> buttons in between, unblemished rows and columns in between.
rubber buttons are usually in a mat and the spilled liquid
could only get around the corners of the mat.
> Only the controls people use a lot, plus Mute, were dirty.
> It must have to do with normal use.
But its possible it is plasticiser out of the buttons.
>>> Not only that, these contacts aren't copper-colored,
>>> and as the name impplied, it's really to remove and
>>> prevent oxidization, so I switched to isopropyl
>>> alcohol and that did a good job.
>>> So I know what to do about it, but what is that stuff? Finger oil?
>> More likely spilled drink. Finger oil isnt sticky.
Peeler
May 30, 2021, 4:23:32 AM5/30/21
to
On Sun, 30 May 2021 11:40:21 +1000, cantankerous trolling geezer Rodent
Speed, the auto-contradicting senile sociopath, blabbered, again:
<FLUSH the trolling senile asshole's latest trollshit>
--
Richard addressing senile Rodent Speed:
"Shit you're thick/pathetic excuse for a troll."
MID: <ogoa38$pul$1...@news.mixmin.net>
Speed, the auto-contradicting senile sociopath, blabbered, again:
<FLUSH the trolling senile asshole's latest trollshit>
--
Richard addressing senile Rodent Speed:
"Shit you're thick/pathetic excuse for a troll."
MID: <ogoa38$pul$1...@news.mixmin.net>
Dave Platt
May 30, 2021, 8:08:07 PM5/30/21
to
In article <4ae56e2a-3a73-499d...@googlegroups.com>,
oil as a plasticizer... I'm not sure what the non-silicone rubbers
use. Isopropyl on a Q-tip has always gotten it off the board and
buttons.
>DeOxit formulations DO enhance contact, it's worth applying after cleaning.
I've had some success in rejuvinating flaky contact pads by cleaning
the rubber with isopropyl, and then applying a thin coating of Neolube
No. 2 (sold by Micro-Mark). It's a graphite and collodion solution in
alcohol, and dries to form a somewhat-conductive film.
whit3rd <whi...@gmail.com> wrote:
>On Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 2:55:31 PM UTC-7, micky wrote:
>
>> The remote works fine except for the buttons used the most, volume up
>> and down, channel up and down, power, and muting.
>>
>> I took it apart and expected to find oxidized contact points, but no.
>> Instead those buttons, on the circuit board and on the buttons, are
>> shiny and a little bit sticky. ...
>
>> What is this, how does it get in there, and [what do I do about it}?
>On Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 2:55:31 PM UTC-7, micky wrote:
>
>> The remote works fine except for the buttons used the most, volume up
>> and down, channel up and down, power, and muting.
>>
>> I took it apart and expected to find oxidized contact points, but no.
>> Instead those buttons, on the circuit board and on the buttons, are
>> shiny and a little bit sticky. ...
>
>> What is this, how does it get in there, and [what do I do about it}?
>The liquid (I think) is a plastic component intended to keep it flexible; a
>'plasticizer'. Lots of plastic formulations 'sweat' this stuff, and isopropyl
>is a good solvent for it. Glycerine, too, should work.
Correct. Some silicone-rubber contact pads seem to contain a silicone
>'plasticizer'. Lots of plastic formulations 'sweat' this stuff, and isopropyl
>is a good solvent for it. Glycerine, too, should work.
oil as a plasticizer... I'm not sure what the non-silicone rubbers
use. Isopropyl on a Q-tip has always gotten it off the board and
buttons.
>DeOxit formulations DO enhance contact, it's worth applying after cleaning.
the rubber with isopropyl, and then applying a thin coating of Neolube
No. 2 (sold by Micro-Mark). It's a graphite and collodion solution in
alcohol, and dries to form a somewhat-conductive film.
Miguel Giménez
May 31, 2021, 7:28:48 AM5/31/21
to
fabrication process. Pressure on the keys make this grease flow, then
the contact begins to fail needing more pressure, more grease flows...
That's why the keys used more often fail more than those seldom used.
You can clean it with ethanol, it will work for some months before
needing another cleaning.
--
Saludos
Miguel Giménez
Three Jeeps
May 31, 2021, 9:38:12 PM5/31/21
to
I had a small panasonic TV that sat on our kitchen table that had its remote control sit next to it. Had to wash the key pad about every 9 months...it was usually in the sunlight from the skylight which I think the UV light accelerated the release of the grease.
Good luck
J
Rheilly Phoull
Jun 2, 2021, 10:17:12 PM6/2/21
to
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