Removing Plastic From Alpha Pots

[audiolife]

Is there a way to remove the plastic backing that comes on Alpha pots? I'm repotting my guitar and need the back for grounding. Couldn't find anything in the search, thanks for your help!

[J0K3RX]

Is there a way to remove the plastic backing that comes on Alpha pots? I'm repotting my guitar and need the back for grounding. Couldn't find anything in the search, thanks for your help!

yeah, just pop it off...

[armdnrdy]

yeah, just pop it off...

Despite his handle....He's not joking!

Get underneath the plastic with a small screwdriver and pop it off.
If your not going to reuse the dust cover for anything you can cut it off with a utility knife. But above all....be careful.

Disclaimer: A sharp object is anything with a sharp point or edge that could inflict injury or even death. Injury could be anything that breaks the skin, from a prick, a puncture, or a cut type wound or a screwdriver sticking out of your arm.

[chromesphere]

As 'basic' as this question sounds, i have to say, i've had some of those pot condoms stuck on.  No amount of force or prying would get them off!  I had to get sidecutters and cut them off...it was ridiculous...doesnt happen all the time, but occasionally i get one that just wont budge...

[Mark Hammer]

You can certainly get the backs off but I don't know that it will put you any further ahead.  The back covers of the pots appear to be aluminum and largely unsolderable.  If you want to use the chassis as a ground connection, you may have better luck soldering to a washer on the inside of the guitar.

Alternatively, consider getting a piece of brass/copper shim and soldering to that, or some of that copper shielding tape.

[Scruffie]

You can certainly get the backs off but I don't know that it will put you any further ahead.  The back covers of the pots appear to be aluminum and largely unsolderable.  If you want to use the chassis as a ground connection, you may have better luck soldering to a washer on the inside of the guitar.

Alternatively, consider getting a piece of brass/copper shim and soldering to that, or some of that copper shielding tape.

Little bit of scuffing up and it should be possible, plenty of guitars have grounds soldered to the back of pots.

Although with a washer you can do some nice star grounding & shielding to keep the guitar all nice and quiet.

[Perrow]

As 'basic' as this question sounds, i have to say, i've had some of those pot condoms stuck on.  No amount of force or prying would get them off!  I had to get sidecutters and cut them off...it was ridiculous...doesnt happen all the time, but occasionally i get one that just wont budge...

If you can't get the condom off you should probably have washed first


Sorry, couldn't resist.

[jymaze]

You need to scuff the metal with 120 sandpaper in one spot to get a good grip for the solder and you should be fine. I even use a Dremel sandpaper drum-tip, very aggressive but quick.

[Paul Marossy]

I pick a spot and scrape off the coating in a small area with a small flathead screwdriver. Solders up just fine after that.

As mentioned, you could also use a piece of sandpaper too.

[zombiwoof]

Why did you buy the pots with the plastic cover on the back if you were going to use them in a guitar?.  You can get Alpha pots without those covers, and I don't think they are the best option for guitar pots anyway.  I would save them for pedals, and get some good guitar pots myself.

Al

[Paul Marossy]

Why did you buy the pots with the plastic cover on the back if you were going to use them in a guitar?.  You can get Alpha pots without those covers, and I don't think they are the best option for guitar pots anyway.  I would save them for pedals, and get some good guitar pots myself.

Al

They make pots with a plastic cover on them?! I thought the O.P. was referring to getting the coating off the back that prevents you from soldering to it. I don't know what that stuff is, some sort of lacquer or a polyurethane?

[Perrow]

They make pots with a plastic cover on them?! I thought the O.P. was referring to getting the coating off the back that prevents you from soldering to it. I don't know what that stuff is, some sort of lacquer or a polyurethane?

There's a plastic cover on the upper pot in this image. They can be removed and put back on but removing takes some force/tools.

[Paul Marossy]

First time I've ever seen that. 

[GoranP]

you can get these for cheap on taydaelectronics.com

[Paul Marossy]

you can get these for cheap on taydaelectronics.com

I fail to see the point in having the plastic cover on it. Is it supposed to "seal" up the pot or something?

[davent]

Prevents shorts with free floating circuit boards. SmallBear also sell the covers seperately.

[Paul Marossy]

Prevents shorts with free floating circuit boards. SmallBear also sell the covers seperately.

I suppose so. But there's lots of other things a free floating circuitboard could short out on...

[psychedelicfish]

the cover also keeps dust out of the pot, so it takes longer to get scratchy

[rullywowr]

You can pop em off with your thumbnail or use a small pair of pliers too. If you are soldering to the back, scuff it up and apply some flux (using a flux pen us ideal. )