[Shop-talk] conductive rubber

[scottmryan]

The conductive rubber does wear away with time, depending on how it was 
manufactured. (if you have cleaned the pcb/other surface w/ tarnex (for 
metal) and then water, or alcohol if carbon based contacts, it's probably 
the pad (ohmmeter should show no more than 100-200 ohms when the points are 
laid across the pad within 1/16" or so of each other, if it's greater than 
500ohms, the pad is worn out). I did superglue very thin foil onto a few 
pads once, it's still working, but does bounce sometimes. (it's the mute 
button mostly)
I have seen a compound, I believe MCM electronics sells it, that is supposed 
to work that you brush onto the contact pad. I also saw someone use silver 
conductive paint on contact pads, but this was not working at all when it 
came in (was used on a memorymoog, contact pads have not been avail for 
those for around 15 years).
Scott R
----- Original Message ----- 
> eric at megageek.com wrote:
>> OK, so I have a remote control that gets used alot.  The main buttons 
>> aren't registering any more.
>>
>> Is there a way to "clean" or "resurface" the button's conductive rubber 
>> back side?
> I clean remotes and other keypads with just a dry paper towel and a little 
> knuckle grease.  Unless it was immersed in something sticky, this is 
> enough.  Also, I've found the contacts, not the pads, are what need 
> cleaning; they oxidize.  A paper towel is rough enough clean them. If its 
> really bad, use a pencil eraser followed with the paper towel.  Pencil 
> erasers have some mind grid embedded in them.  Electrical engineers use an 
> eraser to clean non-gold plated contacts, the eraser will completely 
> remove the gold and even copper plating.
>> What would happen if I just put a piece of metal there?
>>
> Don't know, just guessing, but you might get bounces (multiple button 
> hits).
>
> Peter Thomas
>> TIA!
>>
>> Moose

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