Tweaks

Dekay is right about this. It is hazardous!

Rodman:

Smaller and closer maybe, but smaller and closer with say 400-500 volts? What happens to the gunk driven into those little connectors?

As Mechans sain, how do you clean it out? Pipe cleaners just just spread it about. Solvent sprays the same. It is a conductive substance. Even if it doesn't cause a hard short, it can increase leakage across the sockets effecting sonics. It is specifically not intended for this use. My tube dealer shakes his head at the thought. He has been around for 25 years and has undoubtedly seen more than you could ever have in this regard.

If it were a one time thing, maybe. But it needs to be reapplied every 6mths or so and seems too risky or difficult. One would be better of polishing the pins for starters. Take a look at miniature 9 pin tube. They are usually blueish from the heat in manufacture. That is scale, and less conductive than a clean pin. One of the most common issues with tube gear is worn tube sockets. People attempt to cram a tube with bent pins into the sockets, subsequently enlarging them. That leads intermittent opens and noisy gear.

If you must, you would be better off with Stabilant 22, it is a better contact enhancer in the first place. Even that stuff may have issues high voltage though. It doesn't dry out and is used in the communications, IT and military industries.

Rodman:

As I suggested, try Stabilant 22. It IS the stuff to use for ICs, you do not even need to remove them. It is the active ingredient in what used to be called "Tweak". I am sure you remember that stuff. FWIW, I realize that it can be done and is of benefit in all connections, just problematic...

My assumption was not erroneous, I have an EE background myself. I was talking about shear experience. He has been selling tubes to people for 25 years and has heard it all over that period of time is all I meant. It was not intended as a put down.