I will be putting my tank back on soon and I want to check ,and clean all connections. Other than sanding each contact is there something I can spray on to clean them? Also what do I put on them after cleaned to protect them...Dielectric grease? I want to get this right the 1st time.

Thanks in advance.

dielectric grease ....no please no !!!

it is an insulator ...not a aid to conduction at all ....please dont go there

look up "deoxit " it is marketed as an aid to restore electrical connections on musical equipment ...prone to clicks farts and pops whilst in use on a stage type performance .....that is eliminating all those blooming issues and likewise on fuel injected systems ...dont forget our old girls are well over their used by date electrically (being exposed to some of the worst conditions that electronics can suffer )

you will probably find it in "pro " music shops

there are 2 types that we like ....one fights corrosion elimination the other is a protectorant

highly recommended

just a heads up !

Yes, in the USA Deoxit can be found at Radio Shack.

AJ is right, just use Deoxit D5 and follow the instructions. It's way cheaper on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-D5S6-Deoxit-Contact-Cleaner/dp/B00006LVEU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363888236&sr=8-1&keywords=deoxit

Ok,I have been properly spanked (normally I have to pay for that service).

Thanks to everyone,I will pick this magical product 2morrow at RadioShack.

Hi Frogy,

I have always advocated cleaning contacts physically (fine emery paper) only if there is an obvious layer of dirt/corrosion. Otherwise, if the connection looks reasonable, exercise the connection by making the connection and pulling it apart again a few times. This will scrape clean the contact areas. After cleaning I squirt the connectors with an insulating water repellant (WD40 in my case).

The problem with this is that most multi-connectors on modern bikes are too small to effectively clean the female part by physical means. Its not like the old days with British motorbikes and big hammers. A chemical cleaner is a good idea and Deoxit gets a good press on this forum with no dissenting voices that I've heard. But I've never tried it so can't recommend it.

Its water on the connection surfaces which causes corrosion, especially if you live near the coast and get salt in your airbourne water. So after cleaning, to keep the water off and prevent future corrosion its important to use something which does not harden with age or evaporate and leave a hard film. In addition its not a good idea to use conducting grease or
anything else which conducts on connectors. You'll get shorts between
pins and conducting paths where you really don't want them. A good non-conductive protective coating should move out of the way to allow the wiped areas of the contacts to touch.

My practise has always been to use Vaseline on contacts where you really can get at them - like the battery posts and earth rings and WD40 everywhere else. In the 45 years that I've been banging away at bikes I've never had to revisit a connection.

Hope this helps...

...and everyone always has vaseline laying around for all kinds of jobs

oops - guess I slipped up there

DeoxIT G5 and S5 is the combination to use on every electrical connector on the bike. I have seen the D5 remove tarnish on the silver plated relay connectors before my eyes on my son's old Merc. It is magic stuff.
Regards,
K-BIKE