Licking headshell contacts, what's a good solution?

So I always have trouble getting a calibration signal, until I lick the contacts of my headshell (I know I know, bad idea in the long run), at that point I get a nice clear signal and am good to go..

both my headshell contacts and the contacts inside the tonearm's are nice and bright and super clean, golden beauty I must say.. but I'm not sure why it takes that bit of moisture to get a good clean contact going. I don't want to keep having to do this because I know how bad it is for your contact prongs...

Thus leading me to this post... what's a good way to fix this situation? Any types of lubricants or cleaners, D.I.Y., or at home solutions to get these prongs transferring a good clean signal?

Sometimes the springs behind the contacts just need a little flexing, and I've had reasonable success with an eraser pencil which just happens to fit right in the tonearm. Carbon fiber brush pens get a few votes here and there too, they're probably more efficient but harder to come by.
I was wondering about getting a tiny spray like I have for carrying record cleaning fluid to gigs and filling it with WD40 for this (and also unlocking the height adjust) but I wouldn't feel too comfortable spraying stuff on venue/rented gear.
Looking forward to reading what others have to add!

sometimes you just gotta lick it before you can make contact...

The old ways always get the job done. :rolleyes:

Reminds me of using a pencil eraser on the contacts for the slot car tracks we had as kids :)

A new flat pencil eraser is what I use.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXoOdcO6Bbc

Deoxit Pen

In a pinch, pencil eraser. Got time, alcohol and a pencil eraser. Don't lick your contacts, it works for the time, but it's bad for your contacts. We have all done it, just dont.

You guys are answering a question the OP never asked... what is going on in here? lol. Yes, a pencil is a good tool to clean off your contacts if they are dirty. He said his are clean though.:tongue_smilie:

As for improving your contacts, Deoxit will work good as someone mentioned earlier. Marine grade electrical contact sprays will work well too.