Cleaning corroded contacts

[colind3782]

I have a corroded terminal connection that's difficult to get at to remake the connection. I will do it properly when time permits but, in the meantime, can the gathered throng recommend a product that will clean off the corrosion on electrical contacts?

 

[TradewindSailor]

Phosphoric acid ...... OSPHO, and several rust removing gels have it. Ospho is wet like water ... so it's good if you can soak the terminals for a few minutes. The gel type you brush on. Both need rinsing of with fresh water .... and then spray with a corrosion protector like Corrosion Block which is a thin grease for spraying on electronics.

 

[RobBrown]

I also use Servisol:
eg

http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/3006...&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=63

(Its not just for audio kit!)

 

[nigelmercier]

Phosphoric acid ...

Surely that will turn the copper into copper phosphate: "Copper phosphate is the salt of copper and phosphoric acid with the chemical formula Cu3(PO4)2. Its color ranges from blue to green and is insoluble in water." (Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_phosphate

 

[Sailingsaves]

Surely that will turn the copper into copper phosphate: "Copper phosphate is the salt of copper and phosphoric acid with the chemical formula Cu3(PO4)2. Its color ranges from blue to green and is insoluble in water." (Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_phosphate

Agree with that; phosphoric acid is main constituent of many rust treatments and creates that black coating.
Try bicarbonate of soda on cotton bud, or try vinegar = depends what type of corrosion you have, green stuff or white powdery stuff (yes it is an acid but not phosphoric), or (vested interest please note) www.allproductdesign.co.uk/Electronics.html contact cleaner (scroll to base of page) or tie some emery cloth to a slim stick and give it a rub?

 

[nigelmercier]

... or tie some emery cloth to a slim stick and give it a rub?

To me, this is a last resort. If chemicals on cotton buds don't work, I use a brass brush in a Dremel.