WD-40 on a mixer electrical switch??

[Tallbald]

Our KitchenAid stand mixer gets used daily mixing dry and canned dog food for our pups. The sliding switch has begun being iffy in the first (and most useful, "stir") position. Slide it to the first (stir) position and I may have to wiggle it a little to get the mixer running. Other positions are no problem.Guessing that dust or crud has gotten into the contacts because our mixer never has been a heavy used appliance in the 11 years of ownership.
Can I safely spray a little WD-40 in the switch slot to blast clean and lube anything messed up as a first try attempt? I have seen folks that use WD-40 for drying electrical contacts is why I ask.
Thanks. Don.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

I've never used WD-40 on indoor appliances, but it's brought a couple of automotive switches back to life for me. Probably the same problem as your mixer: time and dust combined in there and it helped wash things out.

I don't think you'd harm anything with a quick shot of the stuff...

Rick C

 

[daveg.inkc]

Die-electric grease if you can get to it. I use it on many electrical plugs and fittings.

 

[Tallbald]

I was hoping to avoid disassembly of the mixer. The slide switch knob comes through a rather open slot and I wondered about a shot with the WD-40 tube to clean things. The picture I put on imgur came out huge for some reason, and the photo is blurry but I'll post it to show what I mean. Sorry for the photo quality (lack of quality). Love the power and heavy build of the mixer and the meat grinder is a hoot. Just haven't used it as much as it deserves. Bought it new using a bunch of rebates and coupons for $150 at Kohl's 11 years ago as a bachelor "just because". Reminds me of a small vertical milling machine. Penny jokingly calls it "The Manly Man Mixer". Don.

 

[BDM1]

Sometimes Walmart carries spray electrical contact cleaner. You might also want to ask at an automotive supply parts store, good luck with it!

 

[Mus408]

You might find something like Brake Cleaner or spray cleaner for electronic equipment that evaporates quickly and leaves no residue. An oil cleaner like WD-40 will leave a film which will attract more dirt on contacts.

 

[daveg.inkc]

Mass Air Flow is an aerosol electrical cleaner. I think an electrical spray cleaner, as mentioned, is what you need. Does that “Manly Man Mixer” use 220 V. ?

 

[Tallbald]

Thanks all. The Manly Man Mixer is only 110V. But boy he uses those volts wisely! Don.

 

[SamV]

Just a thought, why not call KitchenAid?
I do know that when I was trying to refurbish an old grinder, I researched the old factory manual. It specifically required only food safe lubricants, as stuff could unintentionally migrate to your food. I would bet the mixer would be similar. By the way, I have tortured our KitchenAid mixer for years making pizza dough every week for the family. If I ever kill it, probably unlikely, I will get an even larger one.

 

[Pat-inCO]

An oil cleaner like WD-40 will leave a film which will attract more dirt on contacts.

An excellent observation. It also has a bit of paraffin included that
enhances the dirt acquisition. :roll:



I think I'd try some "key-board" cleaner first. Basically dry air blast.

 

[blume357]

Try the auto parts store route and get the spray electrical cleaner route... and hope that it is crude... I hate to be negative but it is also possible the two metal contacts have corroded and are not making good contact that way.... not sure the dialectic grease would even solve that.

 

[powder smoke]

Lots of that stuff may be flammable be careful. ps

 

[Dan in MI]

Contact cleaner, that's what is if for.

 

[pisgah]

Oh, for Pete's sake -- give it a little shot of WD. It ain't a Falcon Heavy moon rocket. (Of course, they probably use it on the rocket...)

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Home Depot

CRC QD 11 oz. Contact Cleaner https://www.homedepot.com/p/CRC-QD-11-oz-Contact-Cleaner-02130-6/202262505

 

[MADDOG 521]

KitchenAid mixers are warrantied for life. There should be a model number and a phone number on the bottom of the base. Call them and they will fix it.

 

[BearBio]

Our Xerox guy referred to WD-40 (Water Displacing compound no. 40) as "Tech Rep In-A-Can"

 

[Montelores]

I visited the WD-40 website and entered "electrical" in the search box.

Here is the result, and it's NOT WD-40, but WD-40-brand contact cleaner:

https://www.wd40.com/videos/on-the-job/how-to-clean-electronics-and-sensitive-electrical-components

There are safety glasses in view on the display table, but the demonstrator doesn't seem to be wearing them.

I'm not recommending contact cleaner, but I was curious.

Here's another page for interest:

https://ballistol.com/uses/electrical-equipment/

Monty

 

[Viking Queen]

I would contact KitchenAid and see what they say. It's too good of a machine to take a risk damaging it by using the wrong product on it. I have had mine over 30 years and can not imagine not having it. Bread maker, cookie maker, cream whipper, fresh butter maker, meat grinder, food processor, juicer, sausage stuffer....can't be beat...pun intended.

Some mechanical things need grease, some need oil, some just need cleaning....just like how our old sewing machines need lubricating we need to use the right product.

You might find some repair videos on youtube, if you are so inclined, but I would find out what the warranty covers.

Viking Queen

 

[Tallbald]

Thanks everyone. I plan to call KitchenAid tomorrow to ask what I should do. Love the machine too. Don.

 

[Odie808]

Please keep the WD-40 away from electronics, I have had to completely replace the electronics in guitars from people trying to use it to clean & lube the potentiometers.
Use Deoxit or CNC

 

[redhawker]

Maybe I'm completely off base but to me, using something flammable, like WD-40 on an electrical switch sounds like a recipe for a fire. I've seen it used to re-seat bead on tires because it explosively ignites (see video below) so I'm not so sure that a good idea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg2SNfg61ls

 

[graygun]

CRC makes contact cleaner.

 

[exavid]

Here's a few videos on repairing Kitchen Aid mixers. We've had on for over 40 years, it got a lot of use when the kids were young but still works just fine. Never had to do anything to it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=youtube+kitchenaid+mixer+repair&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1-ab