==== on alcohol====
Tim, you ask if alcohol is OK to clean the button. If I may... for what I know, the answer is: Yes and No.
Alcohol solves fat so it's very effective in removing dirt AND greasy deposits. But it does not remove oxide, rather it helps its formation.
This is what I discovered when working in a circuit assembler in an electronic instruments factory during my high school summer vacations (Did a sort of a one-month stage. Building electronics was my hobby and wanted to learn more on the Pro tools and techniques)
All solvents are oxidizers, except one: 1,1,1-Trichloroethan (Chlorothene). So that was the only one we used to clean circuit boards and contacts, as it's the only one that does not oxidize them.
Unfortunately it has since been discovered that it destroys the ozone layer. Production is being phased out, or has already stopped, but what's still in stock can be legally sold.
Probably it's not easy to find and also minimal quantities might be too big and expensive for what you'd need. Yet, if you manage to get some, that's the right stuff.
=== on contact cleaning - removing oxide ===
You can use alcohol to remove dirt, grease and soot, but you're still left with the oxidation to take care of. While metals conduct electricity, mental oxide is an insulant, and if enough of it builds up it reduces or even stops the flow of electricity though the button contact.
To remove that you'll have to use some slightly abrasive thing, like very fine sandpaper as Imeo suggested and did show (The finer, the better. Coarse one will do more damage than good.)
Personally I prefer to follow NASA suggestions.NASA made a lot of tests to discover what was the best way to clean electrical contacts, and they found that erasers for typewriters were just perfect for that (you remember those flat octagonal erasers, with a hole in the center and a plastic insert?). Those are mildly abrasive, just how much is needed, and being a little elastic too they conform better to the irregularities of the surface you're cleaning.
I believe some can still be found today. One will last for the rest of your life, if you use it only for that. Otherwise, erasers for pens or ball-pens will also do fine and might be easier to find. Erasers for pencil work differently and have no abrasive particles inside (or not enough of them), so won't do.
You might even cut out a piece with a small end-point so that you can easily reach small parts, like the center connector in the atomizer-side cap. Use caution, don't cut yourself when preparing that, please.
Just rub, there's no need to use a lot of pressure, until the metal becomes shiny again.
I personally prefer it because it removes the oxidation quite well, but barely any metal, while sandpaper tends to remove a little more of the metal, and could also roughen the surface just a bit more. But if you can't easily reach inside to clean the button with an eraser piece, use fine sandpaper. They both work quite well to clean contacts, use the one that's easier for the part you're cleaning.
Hope this helps.
Great informative post NicoTico and definitely a nice alternative to the sandpaper option.
I will be sure to try this when my GG starts performing below par. ~~Thanks very much for your input!
it's really impressive.
