Sorry to disagree! I would NEVER use steel wool!!! A few fine shavings or strands left on the pins or base, and you could be in for a MAJOR fireworks show!!! A dremel tool on miniature tube pins requires the touch of a micro-surgeon, then all traces of the jewelers paste must be removed. Kudos to you, 1markr, if you have the eyesight, dexterity, and dedication to perform this procedure, especially if you have multiple tube to clean! And don't forget, you should also clean the pin sockets, so forget about the dremel for this. I use Caig DeOxit for cleaning, and then Caig ProGold GX5 (high temp.) after, for pin surface preservation. Only a minute amount is required for the pins, so don't overdo! Make sure to remove any cotton fibers in the tube socket pins, and on the pins themselves. A can of compressed air works well, but DO NOT SPRAY hard enough to release the chemicals in liquid form (unfortunately, it is not just compressed air, but also contains tetrafluroethane, WHICH IS FLAMMABLE!) Caig also makes some dandy miniature cotton swabs for cleaning tube pin sockets, as well as other nifty cleaning devices. Remember to unplug your amp/preamp overnight, as electrocution from charged capacitors will put and end to your listening pleasure! Caig also makes ProGold G5 for non hi-temp applications. Caig products are convenient, and used for electronic cleaning and preservation all the way up to computers and also mil-spec electronics as well.
