The WD-40 Specialist contact cleaner is a fast-drying electronic contact cleaner spray made for circuit boards, switches, connectors and battery terminals. This 400mL can comes with a Smart Straw applicator and removes oil, dirt, flux and condensation from sensitive electronics without leaving residue behind. The sections below cover what it cleans, how it fits into a soldering and repair workflow, and how to use it safely.
WD-40® Specialist Contact Cleaner – 400mL
- Purpose: Cleans sensitive electronics like circuit boards, switches, connectors, and battery terminals.
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Features:
- Fast-drying formula
- Leaves no residue
- Safe on plastics and rubber
- Removes oil, dirt, flux, and condensation
- Dielectric Strength: >25,000 volts
- Application: Spray directly on the surface. Allow to dry before powering equipment.
- Packaging: 400mL spray can with Smart Straw
- Flammable – use in a well-ventilated area
Safe for Electronic PCBs and Connectors
What an Electronic Contact Cleaner Spray Removes From Sensitive Electronics
Dirt, oil and moisture build up on switches, connectors and board surfaces over time, and a poor contact is often the real reason a device works only some of the time. An electronic contact cleaner spray like this one is made to remove those contaminants: oil, dirt, flux and condensation.
It has a dielectric strength above 25,000 volts, and WD-40 describes its contact cleaner as a non-conductive spray suitable for sensitive electrical components. It dries quickly and leaves no residue, so no film is left behind on the contacts.
WD-40's product information lists these typical uses:
- Printed circuit boards and switches
- Battery terminals
- Connectors such as HDMI sockets
- Electric motors
- Game controllers
The Smart Straw sprays two ways: flip it up to reach tight, hard-to-reach spots, or flip it down for a wider spray over larger areas.
Contact Cleaner for Circuit Boards After Soldering
Flux is applied during soldering to help the solder flow, and what is left around the joints afterwards is just another contaminant on the board. WD-40 states that this type of cleaner removes the contaminants that cause current leakage and component failure, and flux is one of the residues it is made to remove.
After reworking or soldering a board with a Hot Air 878D Digital Control SMD ESD + Soldering Station, a spray of contact cleaner around the joints clears the leftover flux. Let the board dry completely before powering it up, as the application instructions say. You can browse RAM's full range of soldering and desoldering tools for the equipment that goes with this cleaning step.
Using This Flux Residue Remover Safely
- Spray directly on the surface and let it dry before powering equipment.
- Use it in a well-ventilated area, as the product information advises. WD-40's safety data classes this contact cleaner as a flammable aerosol, so treat it with the same caution as any flammable spray.
- WD-40 states it is safe on most plastics, rubber and metal. Test on plastic before using, and avoid adhesives, device screens and keyboards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is contact cleaner used for?
It cleans oil, dirt, flux residue and condensation from electronic parts such as circuit boards, switches, connectors and battery terminals, so contacts work reliably.
Is WD-40 Specialist contact cleaner safe on plastic?
WD-40 states it is safe on most plastics, rubber and metal. Test it on plastic before using it, and avoid adhesives, device screens and keyboards.
Does it leave residue?
No. It is a fast-drying formula that leaves no residue.
Can I power equipment right after spraying?
No. Allow the surface to dry before powering the equipment.
Is it flammable?
Yes. RAM's product information lists it as flammable and says to use it in a well-ventilated area, and WD-40's safety data classes it as a flammable aerosol.
What does dielectric strength mean?
Dielectric strength measures how much voltage an insulating material can withstand before electricity breaks through it. This cleaner has a dielectric strength above 25,000 volts.
What does the Smart Straw do?
It gives you two ways to spray from the same can: flip it up for tight, hard-to-reach areas, or flip it down for a wider spray over larger surfaces.
Need a reliable electronic contact cleaner spray for your workshop or school electronics lab this term? The WD-40 Specialist contact cleaner clears flux, oil, dirt and condensation from circuit boards and contacts, and dries without leaving residue. Contact RAM Electronics to check availability.