Contact cleaner is a fast-evaporating dielectric solvent designed to clean electrical contacts, switches, relays, connectors and electronic assemblies without leaving conductive or insulating residue. Used in workshop maintenance for ECU connectors, fleet vehicle wiring loom faults, motor servicing, audio equipment, and electronics repair — but the wrong product, the wrong technique, or the wrong moment can damage plastic enclosures, dissolve wire markings, or compromise dielectric properties. This guide covers what contact cleaner actually is, when to use it versus brake cleaner versus WD-40, plastic safety, AS/NZS compliance for energised work, the CRC and WD-40 brand range stocked at AIMS, and the common mistakes that cost electronics technicians their warranty claims.
Quick answer — contact cleaner essentials
What it is: A fast-evaporating dielectric solvent that cleans electrical contacts, switches, relays, connectors and PCBs without leaving conductive or insulating residue. Safe to use on energised circuits when correctly applied.
Common brands AU: CRC 2-26 / CRC Contact Cleaner · WD-40 Specialist Fast Drying Contact Cleaner · CRC Lectra Clean (heavier degreaser) · Dy-Mark Electrical Contact Cleaner · Molytec.
Contact cleaner vs brake cleaner: Contact cleaner is dielectric and plastic-safe — won't damage rubber seals or sensor housings. Brake cleaner is aggressive and will destroy plastic housings and rubber boots. Never substitute.
⚠️ MAF sensor warning: Standard contact cleaner can damage Mass Air Flow sensor hot wires. Use only MAF-specific cleaner on MAF sensors. AS/NZS 3000 governs electrical contact maintenance.
AIMS Industrial stocks the full range of industrial electrical contact cleaners across CRC, WD-40 Specialist, Molytec and Dy-Mark Protech — plus the CRC Lectra Clean electric motor and equipment cleaner range for motor-specific applications. Contact the AIMS team or call (02) 9773 0122 for technical selection advice or bulk supply.
What is contact cleaner?
Contact cleaner is a fast-evaporating solvent formulated specifically for electrical and electronic equipment — non-conductive when wet, dielectric, residue-free on the formulas designed for precision work, and chemically distinct from a workshop degreaser or brake cleaner. The defining characteristics are dielectric strength (won't conduct electricity), zero residue (won't leave a film that attracts dust or interferes with contact pressure), and fast evaporation (the solvent must clear before equipment is re-energised).
Contact cleaner removes oxide layers from contact surfaces, flushes dust and debris from connectors and switches, displaces moisture from accidentally-wetted electronics, and dissolves the carbon film that builds up on heavily-used switches and potentiometers. The performance differential between brands is small for the cleaning step itself; the differential that matters is residue profile, plastic compatibility, dielectric strength and flammability.
⚠️ This is industrial electrical contact cleaner — not contact LENS cleaner
If you're looking for contact lens cleaner — the saline or peroxide solution used to clean optical contact lenses — you're in the wrong place. This guide covers industrial electrical contact cleaner. For contact lens cleaning solutions see your optometrist, pharmacy or eye care specialist.
The two products are completely unrelated. Industrial electrical contact cleaner is a flammable hydrocarbon solvent that will damage soft contact lens material and burn your eyes. Boston, Menicon Progent, Bausch & Lomb and similar contact lens products are saline-based solutions in completely different chemistry families. Don't confuse the two.
Contact cleaner vs brake cleaner vs WD-40 — the disambiguation
These three workshop aerosols look similar in the can, smell similar in the air, and partially overlap in chemistry. They are not the same product. Substituting one for another is the single most common mistake in workshop electrical maintenance.
| Product | Residue | Designed for | Wrong use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact cleaner | None (zero-residue formulas) or conditioning film (DeoxIT-style) | Electrical contacts, switches, PCBs, connectors, relays — dielectric, non-conductive when wet | Heavy oil/grease removal (not enough solvency); brake friction surfaces (not formulated for the application) |
| Brake cleaner | None — dries to nothing | Brake dust, oil contamination, weld prep on metal | Electronics (some formulas leave conductive residue; attacks plastic enclosures more aggressively) |
| WD-40 original | Yes — leaves a thick oily film | Water displacement, light lubrication, rust loosening | Electrical contacts (oily film attracts dust, can short low-current contacts, interferes with switch action) |
| WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner | None | This is a different product to original WD-40 — chemically a true contact cleaner | Don't confuse the blue/yellow original WD-40 can with the WD-40 Specialist contact cleaner SKU |
The cardinal rule: "WD-40 is a contact cleaner" is wrong unless you mean the WD-40 Specialist range. Original WD-40 (the blue and yellow can) is a light lubricant and water displacement spray — it leaves an oil film that's the opposite of what an electrical contact needs. The WD-40 Specialist Fast Drying Contact Cleaner is the correct product in the WD-40 family for electrical work.
For brake-side cleaning work see the Brake Cleaner Guide; for general workshop degreasing see the Industrial Degreaser Guide. The three products live alongside each other in any working shop — they solve different problems with different chemistry.
Flammable vs non-flammable contact cleaner
Most modern AU contact cleaners are flammable hydrocarbon-based formulas. The non-flammable formulations historically used chlorinated solvents (perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene) — but Cat 1A carcinogen classifications and environmental concerns have shifted most AU products to non-chlorinated chemistry.
| Type | Primary solvent | Flammable | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable hydrocarbon | Hexane, heptane, naphtha, isopropyl alcohol blend | Yes | AU workshop default. Most CRC, WD-40 Specialist, Molytec, Dy-Mark Protech products. |
| Non-flammable chlorinated | Tetrachloroethylene or methylene chloride | No | Legacy formulations — being phased out. Some specialist industrial SKUs still available. |
| HFE / HFC fluorinated | Hydrofluoroether or hydrofluorocarbon | No | Specialist electronics manufacturing — high cost, very low VOC. |
The flammability rule:
- Never spray flammable contact cleaner on hot equipment, near sparks, near open flame, or onto a live high-current circuit where arcing is possible.
- Always de-energise equipment before cleaning where practical (see AS/NZS 4836 section below).
- Allow full evaporation before re-energising — minimum 2 minutes for trace amounts on small contacts, 5-15 minutes for heavy application or in cool/humid conditions.
- The aerosol propellant adds flammability — typically LPG. Even "low-VOC" formulas can be flammable as aerosols.
The historical AU naming convention — "CRC CO" (Contact Cleaner Original) and "CRC NF" (Non-Flammable) — referred to flammable and non-flammable variants respectively. Both names still appear in search but the CRC product line has been simplified at retail. The current CRC Contact Cleaner range at AIMS is the standard hydrocarbon (flammable) formula in 150g, 311g, 350g and 400g aerosol sizes.
Plastic-safe formulas — what's at risk and which products are tested
Contact cleaner solvents attack plastics. Some formulations are "plastic-safe" (tested compatible with most engineering thermoplastics); others will craze, embrittle or soften ABS, polycarbonate, polystyrene and acrylic with prolonged contact.
| Plastic | Risk with standard contact cleaner | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ABS (relay housings, connector bodies) | High | Crazes and embrittles. Brief contact usually OK; pooling causes damage. |
| Polycarbonate (display windows, light pipes) | High | Crazes immediately on contact. Cracks may appear hours later. |
| Polystyrene (low-cost cases) | Very high | Dissolves rapidly. Avoid all contact. |
| Acrylic (PMMA — clear gauge faces, lenses) | Very high | Crazes and clouds immediately. |
| Polypropylene (battery cases, terminal blocks) | Low | Generally resistant. Brief overspray usually fine. |
| HDPE (high-density polyethylene) | Very low | Resistant. Safe for most applications. |
| PTFE / Teflon | Very low | Chemically inert. Safe. |
| Nylon (cable ties, harness clamps) | Low-medium | Generally resistant; some plasticiser leaching with prolonged exposure. |
| PVC (cable insulation, conduit) | Medium | Brief contact OK; prolonged exposure softens and leaches plasticiser. |
| Rubber (NBR, EPDM seals) | Medium | NBR swells; EPDM tolerates brief contact. |
Practical rules:
- For relay housings, connector bodies, switch housings and any visible plastic — apply contact cleaner sparingly via short bursts, not flood spray. Most damage is from pooling, not brief contact.
- For acrylic and polycarbonate (gauge faces, display windows, light pipes) — mask before spraying, or use a different cleaning method (isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud is the safe alternative).
- The WD-40 Specialist Fast Drying Contact Cleaner publishes a plastic-safe compatibility list. The standard CRC and Dy-Mark formulas list compatibility on the SDS.
- When in doubt, test on a hidden surface for 60 seconds before treating a visible area.
Can I use contact cleaner on live electrical equipment?
No — not safely, and not legally for most work in Australia. AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules require electrical work to be carried out on de-energised equipment under most circumstances, and the contact cleaner SDS for every major brand explicitly states the product is for use on de-energised equipment only.
The combined risk profile is:
- Flammability: Most contact cleaners are flammable hydrocarbon aerosols. Spraying near a live circuit where arcing is possible — a switch making/breaking, a relay closing, a contactor cycling, a brush motor commutating — creates ignition risk.
- Dielectric breakdown: Solvent in liquid form has different dielectric properties to solvent fully evaporated. Spraying flooding amounts of solvent across an energised assembly can cause flashover between conductors that would otherwise have safe clearance.
- Shock risk: The person spraying becomes a path to ground via the wet aerosol stream. Low-voltage circuits are usually safe; mains-voltage and higher are not.
The relevant standards:
- AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules — primary AU standard for electrical installation. Work on de-energised equipment is the default; energised work requires specific authorisation and procedure.
- AS/NZS 4836:2023 Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment — defines minimum approach distances, isolation procedures, PPE for working on or near energised low-voltage equipment.
- Lock-out / Tag-out (LOTO) procedure under each state's WHS regulations — formal isolation before cleaning work begins.
The practical workflow:
- Isolate the circuit — disconnect, lock out, tag out per company LOTO procedure.
- Verify dead with a voltage tester rated for the supply voltage.
- Allow capacitive discharge time on equipment with large filter caps (VFDs, inverters, switchmode power supplies).
- Apply contact cleaner — spray, work the connector/switch through several actuations, allow full evaporation.
- Wait — minimum 2 minutes for trace amounts, 15+ minutes for heavy application or in cool conditions.
- Reconnect and re-energise.
Some products advertise "use on energised equipment" — typically chlorinated or HFE/HFC-based non-flammable formulas. Even these require operator judgement: if there's any possibility of arcing during cleaning, isolate first. The convenience of skipping LOTO is rarely worth the consequences.
PCB and electronics cleaning — contact cleaner vs IPA
Contact cleaner is acceptable for PCB connector cleaning, edge-card contact cleaning, through-hole component contacts and large switch contacts. For delicate SMT (surface-mount technology) work, flux residue removal after soldering, and electronics manufacturing assembly cleaning, isopropyl alcohol (IPA) at 90%+ concentration is the standard cleaner.
| Application | Best cleaner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Edge-card connector (RAM, expansion cards) | Contact cleaner | Fast, displaces oxide, removes dust effectively |
| D-SUB / DB9 / DB25 connector pins | Contact cleaner | Same — designed for this application |
| Audio jack and headphone socket | Contact cleaner (or DeoxIT for premium audio) | Contact cleaner for routine; DeoxIT D5 leaves conditioning film for vintage gear |
| SMT pad flux residue (after rework) | IPA 99% on cotton bud | Precision, no excess solvent pooling on neighbouring components |
| Through-hole solder joint cleaning | IPA | Same precision rationale |
| Switch contacts (relay, toggle, microswitch) | Contact cleaner | Penetrates internal mechanism via case vents |
| Potentiometer (analog volume knobs) | Contact cleaner (or DeoxIT F5 specialty) | Spray inside via case vent, work pot through full travel |
| Conformal coated PCBs | Manufacturer-approved cleaner only | Some conformal coatings dissolved by contact cleaner solvents |
| Optoelectronics (LED, photodiode lenses) | IPA + lint-free wipe | Avoid solvent residue on optical surfaces |
The boundary: Contact cleaner is fast and effective for general electrical maintenance — workshop, automotive, motor, switch, connector work. IPA is the precision tool for benchwork on PCBs and electronics manufacturing. For audio equipment restoration, the DeoxIT family (D5, F5, GoldX) is specialty — leaves a conditioning film that protects against re-oxidation. AIMS doesn't currently stock DeoxIT — it's a CAIG niche product available through electronics specialty retailers.
Automotive sensors and connectors — and what NOT to spray
Contact cleaner is the standard workshop tool for diagnosing and fixing intermittent automotive electrical faults. ECU connectors, body harness connectors, sensor leads, lamp sockets, switch packs and trailer harness terminals all benefit from periodic contact cleaning.
When you're chasing a heat-related intermittent fault that only appears once a component warms up, pair contact cleaner with the freeze spray diagnostic technique — cooling a suspect capacitor, IC or solder joint on cue is the fastest way to confirm which part is the actual culprit before you start replacing modules.
Standard automotive contact cleaning procedure:
- Disconnect the battery — even for low-voltage work. Modern vehicle electronics dislike sudden circuit changes; static-sensitive ECUs can be damaged.
- Identify the connector — pin count, locking style, retention clip.
- Spray contact cleaner into both halves of the connector — generous on the male side, brief blast on the female.
- Mate and unmate the connector several times — the wiping action is what cleans contact surfaces.
- Final spray, then allow 5-10 minutes for full evaporation.
- Reconnect, reconnect the battery, verify operation.
What NOT to spray with contact cleaner:
- MAF sensors (Mass Air Flow): The heated platinum-wire or hot-film element is destroyed by hydrocarbon solvent. Use a dedicated MAF sensor cleaner — chemically distinct from contact cleaner, no propellant residue, no oily film.
- O2 sensors (Oxygen sensors / Lambda): The ceramic element and platinum catalyst layer are contaminated by silicone vapours common in lubricant sprays. Most contact cleaners are OK but never use silicone-based aerosols (window squeak silicone spray, etc.) near O2 sensors.
- ABS wheel speed sensors and Hall-effect sensors: Generally OK with contact cleaner; the magnetic sensing element is sealed.
- Optical sensors (cameras, lidar, parking sensors): Solvent leaves film on optics — use IPA + lint-free wipe instead.
For brake-side cleaning work — caliper rebuilds, brake dust removal, weld prep on brake-related fabrication — see the Brake Cleaner Guide. Brake cleaner and contact cleaner are not interchangeable: brake cleaner is more aggressive on plastics and not formulated for dielectric strength.
Audio equipment cleaning — potentiometers, switches, gold contacts
Vintage audio gear restoration, professional audio mixing console maintenance and electric guitar repair all use contact cleaner as a primary maintenance tool. The application is slightly different from automotive work.
Potentiometers (volume, tone, EQ pots): The wiper inside a pot ages and oxidises over time, causing scratchiness, dead spots and sudden jumps in level. Spray contact cleaner into the case via the small vent slot (don't pry the case open), then rotate the pot through its full travel 20-30 times to work the cleaner across the carbon track and wiper. Allow 5 minutes evaporation before powering up.
Switches: Same approach — work the mechanism through its full range while wet, allow evaporation, retest. Toggle switches, rotary switches and slide switches all respond to this treatment.
Gold-plated connectors (RCA, XLR, balanced 1/4"): Use contact cleaner sparingly. Gold doesn't oxidise; if a gold connector is dirty, the contamination is dust, dirt or sulphide tarnish on the plating. Light spray, wipe with lint-free cloth.
DeoxIT vs CRC philosophy: The CAIG DeoxIT family (D5 cleaner, D100 concentrate, GoldX gold-treatment, F5 fader lubricant) is the gold standard for premium audio restoration. DeoxIT D5 leaves a conditioning film that protects against re-oxidation; CRC Contact Cleaner dries to zero residue. For routine maintenance, CRC is cheaper and equally effective. For vintage gear where the contacts will sit for years between use, DeoxIT's conditioning film is worth the higher cost. AIMS doesn't stock DeoxIT but can source on request.
Motor & electrical equipment cleaning — CRC Lectra Clean
Contact cleaner is the right product for connectors, contacts and switch mechanisms. For larger electrical equipment — motor windings, generator coils, contactor stacks, switchgear — the workshop-tier product is the CRC Lectra Clean Electric Motor & Equipment Cleaner in 400g aerosol, or the CRC Lectra Clean 4L TCE-Free for dip cleaning and brush application.
Lectra Clean is a heavy-duty electrical-grade degreaser — solvent-based, dielectric, fast evaporating, designed to flush oil, grease, dust and contamination from motor windings without leaving residue or damaging insulation varnish. The 4L TCE-Free variant is specifically formulated without trichloroethylene (a Cat 1A carcinogen) and complies with stricter solvent regulations.
When to use Lectra Clean vs contact cleaner:
- Small connector, switch, relay → contact cleaner.
- Motor windings, contactor stack, switchgear, large electrical assembly → Lectra Clean.
- Outdoor electrical equipment, generator coils, transformer bushings → Lectra Clean (more volume capacity).
For electric motor selection, lifespan factors and IP rating context, see the Industrial Electric Motor Guide. The CRC Electrical Parts Cleaner Quick Drying 400g is the third option in the AIMS range — sized between contact cleaner and Lectra Clean, suited to medium-scale electrical parts cleaning.
Australian WHS, SDS and disposal requirements
Contact cleaners are scheduled hazardous chemicals under Australian WHS regulations. Workshops handling them have specific obligations under the model WHS Act and the chemicals regulations.
SDS register: A current Safety Data Sheet must be available for every contact cleaner product in use. CRC, WD-40, Molytec, Dy-Mark and other major suppliers publish current SDS online. AIMS can supply SDS documentation on request.
Solvent exposure standards (Safe Work Australia):
| Solvent | WES TWA (8-hr) | WES STEL (15-min) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| n-Hexane | 20 ppm | — | Common contact cleaner solvent. Peripheral neuropathy risk with chronic high exposure. |
| n-Heptane | 400 ppm | 500 ppm | Lower toxicity than hexane. Common replacement. |
| Isopropyl alcohol | 400 ppm | 500 ppm | Used as solvent and propellant. |
| Petroleum naphtha (light) | — | — | Variable composition. Check SDS for specific WES. |
| Tetrachloroethylene (legacy NF) | 50 ppm | 200 ppm | Cat 1A carcinogen. Used in some legacy non-flammable formulas. |
Ventilation: Use contact cleaner in ventilated areas. For prolonged or enclosed-space use, local exhaust ventilation or organic-vapour respiratory protection is required — see the Respirator Guide for AS/NZS 1716 Type A or AB cartridge selection.
PPE: Solvent-resistant nitrile gloves, safety glasses with side shields, organic-vapour respirator for enclosed-space use.
Disposal: Non-chlorinated contact cleaner waste is typically controlled waste in most AU jurisdictions — licensed disposal required, not general waste, not the drain. Aerosol cans must be fully discharged before recycling; most councils accept fully-empty aerosols in metal recycling streams. Chlorinated formula waste is hazardous waste — licensed liquid waste contractor required.
AU brand guide — CRC, WD-40 Specialist, Molytec, Dy-Mark, DeoxIT, Ambersil
The AU contact cleaner market splits clearly between industrial supplier tier (CRC, WD-40 Specialist, Molytec, Dy-Mark Protech — AIMS stocked) and specialty niches (DeoxIT for audio, Ambersil for UK industrial, Boston/Bausch for contact lens — wrong product class).
| Brand | Tier | Range | AIMS stocked? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRC | Industrial flagship | Contact Cleaner (4 sizes 150g/311g/350g/400g), Lectra Clean motor cleaner, Electrical Parts Cleaner Quick Drying | ✅ Full range |
| WD-40 Specialist | Industrial | Fast Drying Contact Cleaner 290g — chemically distinct from original WD-40 | ✅ Yes |
| Molytec | Industrial AU | M866 Electric Component and Contact Cleaner Aerosol 300g | ✅ Yes |
| Dy-Mark Protech | Industrial AU | Contact Cleaner Flammable 350g | ✅ Yes |
| DeoxIT (CAIG) | Specialty audio premium | D5, D100, GoldX, F5 — leaves conditioning film | Source on request — electronics specialty retailers usually stock |
| Ambersil | UK industrial | Various electrical-grade cleaners | Not stocked — source on request |
| Boston / Bausch & Lomb / Menicon | Contact lens (wrong product class) | Saline-based contact lens cleaning solutions | Not stocked — see optometrist |
| Selleys / Penrite / Repco / Bunnings own-brand | Consumer DIY | Single-can retail | Not stocked — direct to consumer retailers |
CRC dominates the AU industrial market — the Contact Cleaner four-size lineup (150g for occasional, 311g for general workshop, 350g for medium-use, 400g for high-volume) covers nearly every workshop scenario. WD-40 Specialist Fast Drying Contact Cleaner is the chemically-similar credible Tier 2 alternative — important not to confuse with the famous blue/yellow original WD-40 which is NOT a contact cleaner. Molytec M866 is an AU-formulated industrial option. Dy-Mark Protech is the entry-tier industrial option.
AIMS-stocked range deep dive
| Product | Size | Price guide | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRC Contact Cleaner 150g | 150g | $14.73 | Occasional use, kit bag, low-volume electrician |
| CRC Contact Cleaner 311g | 311g | $31.15 | General workshop, medium volume |
| CRC Contact Cleaner 350g | 350g | $22.00 | General workshop, AU standard size |
| CRC Contact Cleaner 400g | 400g | $26.59 | High-volume workshop, fleet maintenance |
| WD-40 Specialist Fast Drying Contact Cleaner | 290g | $21.36 | WD-40 ecosystem buyers; plastic-safe formula |
| Molytec M866 Electric Component and Contact Cleaner | 300g | $13.89 | AU industrial entry tier, value option |
| Dy-Mark Protech Contact Cleaner Flammable | 350g | $17.44 | AU industrial entry tier |
| CRC Lectra Clean Electric Motor & Equipment Cleaner | 400g aerosol | $28.34 | Motor windings, contactor stacks, large electrical assemblies |
| CRC Lectra Clean TCE-Free 4L | 4 litres | $321.26 | Dip cleaning, brush application, bulk motor servicing |
| CRC Electrical Parts Cleaner Quick Drying | 400g | $16.44 | Medium-scale electrical parts cleaning between contact cleaner and Lectra Clean |
Browse the full contact cleaners collection or the broader parts washers and cleaners range for adjacent products.
Common contact cleaner mistakes
| Mistake | What goes wrong | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Using original WD-40 (blue/yellow can) as a contact cleaner | Heavy oil film attracts dust, shorts low-current contacts, sticks switches | Use a true contact cleaner. WD-40 Specialist Fast Drying Contact Cleaner is fine; original WD-40 is not. |
| Spraying on energised equipment | Fire risk (flammable), flashover risk, shock risk, AS/NZS 3000 non-compliant | De-energise per AS/NZS 4836 + LOTO. Re-energise after evaporation. |
| Flooding plastic enclosures | Crazing, embrittlement, eventual cracking of ABS/PC/polystyrene | Short bursts, not flood spray. Use plastic-safe formula for visible plastics. |
| Re-energising too quickly | Solvent vapour ignites in arcing contact; flashover | 2 minutes minimum for trace amounts; 5-15 minutes for heavy application. |
| Spraying MAF sensor with contact cleaner | Destroys hot-wire sensing element | Use dedicated MAF sensor cleaner only. |
| Using brake cleaner on electronics | Conductive residue (some formulas), aggressive plastic attack | Use contact cleaner. Brake and contact cleaners are not interchangeable. |
| Spraying on optical sensors / camera lenses | Residue on optics; clouding | IPA + lint-free wipe. |
| Skipping the actuation step | Cleaner sits in the connector but doesn't reach the contact wiping surface | Spray, then mate/unmate connector several times to wipe contacts clean. |
Selection checklist
- Is this electrical/electronic work? Yes → contact cleaner. No → use brake cleaner or degreaser (see Brake Cleaner Guide / Industrial Degreaser Guide).
- Is the equipment de-energised? Required for almost all work per AS/NZS 3000. LOTO before spraying.
- Plastic-rich enclosure? Choose a plastic-safe formula (WD-40 Specialist or CRC standard with light application).
- Audio equipment / vintage gear? CRC Contact Cleaner for routine; DeoxIT D5 for premium conditioning (source on request).
- Motor windings or large electrical assembly? CRC Lectra Clean rather than contact cleaner.
- MAF sensor? Dedicated MAF cleaner, not contact cleaner.
- SMT board / PCB rework? IPA 99% rather than contact cleaner for precision work.
- Volume more than 2 cans/week? Move to the 400g size or talk to AIMS about bulk supply.
For supply, SDS documentation or technical selection advice, contact the AIMS team or call (02) 9773 0122.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is contact cleaner?
Contact cleaner is a fast-evaporating dielectric solvent designed to clean electrical contacts, switches, relays, connectors and electronic assemblies. Key properties: non-conductive when wet, zero residue (on residue-free formulas), fast evaporation, dielectric strength. Most modern AU contact cleaners are hydrocarbon-based (flammable); some legacy formulas are chlorinated (non-flammable). Distinct from brake cleaner (different application focus) and original WD-40 (which leaves an oil film and is not a contact cleaner).
Is contact cleaner the same as contact LENS cleaner?
No — completely different products in completely different chemistry families. Industrial contact cleaner is a flammable hydrocarbon solvent for electrical and electronic equipment. Contact lens cleaner is a saline or peroxide-based ophthalmic solution. Don't use industrial contact cleaner on contact lenses — it will damage the lens material and burn your eyes. For contact lens cleaning, see your optometrist or pharmacy.
Can I use contact cleaner on live electrical equipment?
No — not safely and not legally for most AU electrical work. AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules require work on de-energised equipment under most circumstances. Contact cleaner SDS documentation for all major brands states use on de-energised equipment only. The combined risk is flammability (most formulas are flammable hydrocarbons), dielectric breakdown (liquid solvent across an energised circuit can cause flashover), and shock risk. Isolate per AS/NZS 4836 and LOTO, clean, allow evaporation, re-energise.
Does contact cleaner damage plastic?
Depends on the plastic and the formula. ABS, polycarbonate, polystyrene and acrylic can craze and embrittle with prolonged contact cleaner exposure. HDPE, polypropylene, PTFE and nylon are largely resistant. Some products (WD-40 Specialist Fast Drying, certain CRC formulas) are tested plastic-safe. Practical rule: short bursts not flood spray for plastic enclosures, mask acrylic/polycarbonate surfaces, test on a hidden surface if unsure.
What's the difference between flammable and non-flammable contact cleaner?
Flammable contact cleaners use hydrocarbon solvents (hexane, heptane, naphtha, IPA blends) plus aerosol propellant — most modern AU products. Non-flammable contact cleaners historically used chlorinated solvents (perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene) but these are Cat 1A carcinogens and most have been phased out. Specialist non-flammable HFE/HFC fluorinated cleaners exist for electronics manufacturing but cost significantly more. AU workshops default to flammable hydrocarbon formulas with proper ventilation and ignition control.
Can I use WD-40 as a contact cleaner?
Original WD-40 (blue and yellow can) — no. It leaves a thick oil film that attracts dust, sticks switch mechanisms and can short low-current contacts. WD-40 was designed as a water-displacement spray and light lubricant, not an electrical contact cleaner. WD-40 Specialist Fast Drying Contact Cleaner — yes. That's a chemically distinct product in the WD-40 Specialist range, formulated specifically for electrical work, fast-evaporating with no residue. Don't confuse the two.
Is CRC Contact Cleaner safe on circuit boards?
Yes for general PCB connector and contact cleaning. CRC Contact Cleaner dries to zero residue and is non-conductive when wet. For precision SMT (surface-mount) work or flux residue removal after rework, isopropyl alcohol 99% is preferred — better precision, no excess solvent pooling near sensitive components. For conformal-coated PCBs, check the conformal coating manufacturer's compatibility before spraying — some coatings dissolve with contact cleaner solvents.
What's the difference between contact cleaner and brake cleaner?
Different design priorities. Contact cleaner is formulated for electrical work — dielectric strength, plastic compatibility, zero residue for contact pressure preservation. Brake cleaner is formulated for brake surface cleaning — aggressive solvency on oil and brake dust, often more aggressive on plastics, not formulated for dielectric strength. Don't substitute brake cleaner for contact cleaner in electronics — risk of conductive residue (some formulas) and plastic damage. Don't substitute contact cleaner for brake cleaner on caliper assemblies — not aggressive enough on brake fluid contamination.
Can I use contact cleaner on car ECU connectors?
Yes — contact cleaner is the standard workshop tool for ECU connector cleaning. Procedure: disconnect the battery first (modern ECUs dislike sudden circuit changes), spray contact cleaner into both halves of the connector, mate and unmate several times to wipe contacts, final spray, allow 5-10 minutes evaporation, reconnect battery and verify operation. Effective for intermittent fault diagnosis caused by corroded, dirty or oxidised connector pins.
Is contact cleaner safe on a MAF sensor?
No — use a dedicated MAF sensor cleaner. Mass Air Flow sensors use a heated platinum-wire or hot-film element that is destroyed by hydrocarbon solvents. Standard contact cleaner formulas, brake cleaner and degreaser all damage MAF sensors. CRC Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner is chemically distinct — no propellant residue, no oily film, formulated specifically for the hot-wire element.
DeoxIT vs CRC Contact Cleaner — which is better?
Different design philosophies. CRC Contact Cleaner dries to zero residue — fast, cheap, suited to routine workshop maintenance and connectors that will be cycled or reused soon. DeoxIT D5 leaves a conditioning film that protects against re-oxidation — preferred for vintage audio gear, premium switches, and contacts that will sit unused for months or years. DeoxIT D5 is the audio restoration gold standard but costs 4-6x as much per can as CRC. For routine work, CRC is the better economic choice. AIMS doesn't currently stock DeoxIT — source through electronics specialty retailers.
How long should I wait before re-energising after spraying contact cleaner?
Minimum 2 minutes for trace amounts on small contacts. 5-15 minutes for heavy application, cool or humid conditions, or large enclosed assemblies. The risk of re-energising too soon is solvent vapour igniting in arcing contacts at switch-on (flashover) and dielectric performance degradation while solvent is still present. When in doubt, wait longer — there is no benefit to rushing this step.
What is CRC CO and CRC NF — are they the same product?
Legacy AU/NZ naming convention. "CO" originally meant "Contact Cleaner Original" — the standard formulation. "NF" meant "Non-Flammable" — the chlorinated solvent variant. The current AIMS-stocked CRC Contact Cleaner is the standard hydrocarbon (flammable) formula in 150g/311g/350g/400g sizes. The non-flammable chlorinated variant has largely been phased out due to Cat 1A carcinogen classification. The keywords "CRC CO" and "CRC NF" still appear in search but reflect legacy product naming.
Can I use contact cleaner on a keyboard?
Generally not the right tool. Mechanical keyboard switches are sealed; contact cleaner can pool inside the case and craze plastic. Membrane keyboards are even worse — the conductive trace layer can be damaged. Better approach: compressed air to blow out debris, isopropyl alcohol 99% on a cotton bud for stuck keys, full disassembly for severe contamination. Contact cleaner is overkill and risky for routine keyboard maintenance.
What's the workplace exposure standard for contact cleaner solvents in Australia?
Safe Work Australia exposure standards for common contact cleaner solvents: n-Hexane 20 ppm TWA (peripheral neuropathy risk), n-Heptane 400 ppm TWA / 500 ppm STEL, Isopropyl alcohol 400 ppm TWA / 500 ppm STEL, Tetrachloroethylene (legacy NF) 50 ppm TWA / 200 ppm STEL (Cat 1A carcinogen). Use contact cleaner in ventilated areas; for prolonged or enclosed-space use, organic-vapour respiratory protection is required.
