Cleaning rust off electronics

Any thoughts on a gentle but effective method of rust removal that wont hard the nearby PCB?

I'm thinking a toothbrush and some cleaning solution, but also debating a gentle dremel polish. My usual wire brush or soaking methods are a no-go.

Emery cloth would be my weapon of choice for something like that.

Use a hole punch to cut a piece and super glue it to a pencil eraser for the fine work.

Glue a piece to a pencil or popsicle stick for the inside and between sections of the lugs and the underside of the prongs.

The switches might need to be desoldered and replaced depending on how bad the internals are.

I don't understand rust on electronics contacts, which are usually made of a copper alloy, frequently plated in gold.  Throwing ideas against the wall:   Maybe start with a Q tip or toothbrush and solvent, then vinegar?  I would consider replacing the affected parts if you can get to the back of the board.  The screw terminals just have to work mechanically, the inside of the terminals need to be oxidation free.  Or maybe soldering wires directly to the terminals to insure a decent connection?  In any case, I suspect those switches might be beyond saving and probably need replacing.  Good luck.

Appreciated! Emory board is a great idea. I also remember from some old mixing gear a contact cleaner called Deoxit and see it's sold online. I'll give that a go.

My theory on this is the wires rubbing on the terminals removed the protective (cheap=thin) coating, then the mixture of industrial pollution and salt air breed this interesting chemistry experiment. This isn't anything critical, so i'll try to clean it before i decide to replace any parts.

Coke cola on a q tip.

Follow-up question, can anyone figure out the name of the screw lug terminals? The ones used for the 6 primary wires. My google skills are failing me...

I don't have a good feel for how they're mounted or large they are, but they look like they're high amperage through hole mountable wire lugs.

https://lugsdirect.com/IHI_HIGH_CURRENT_PCB-TERMINALS-_SELECTION_CHART2.htm

Thanks, that is much closer than what I was finding. If you loosen the screw you can remove the "nut" from the offset terminal spade that is soldered into the PCB. It can take up to 8AWG.

Edit: I think we have a winner

I've had pretty good luck with Fertan Rust Remover and a toothbrush.  A 1 oz. bottle is ~$10.

I know Evapo-Rust claims to be gentle and non-toxic.  It supposedly only eats rust by a process known as selective chelation.  I have no idea if you could dunk a PCB in the stuff.

I've successfully used Evaporust on delicate things by wrapping the rusty bits with a paper towel soaked in it.  That may work for those terminals.

Be careful using any abrasives, the terminals are plated that may be damaged or removed if you're too aggressive.  My go to for cleaning electronic parts with tarnish is a soft pencil eraser.

bbbbRASS said:

Appreciated! Emory board is a great idea. I also remember from some old mixing gear a contact cleaner called Deoxit and see it's sold online. I'll give that a go.

My theory on this is the wires rubbing on the terminals removed the protective (cheap=thin) coating, then the mixture of industrial pollution and salt air breed this interesting chemistry experiment. This isn't anything critical, so i'll try to clean it before i decide to replace any parts.

I've seen DeOxit5 at Guitar Center