[greenhorn]

My control stalks are becoming a bit hard these days, so was planning to dismantle the outer shrouds and apply something to lubricate the switches/the plastic parts, but was not sure what to apply.

I was thinking along the lines of WD 40, or some silicone grease (which I use for electronic parts)

Google tells me there is another thing called an "electrical contact cleaner" which needs to be used too

Can someone please explain what exactly should be done?

[1self]

Contact cleaner will make your control stalks harder. Use the one in the pic. The results will be pleasing AND your contacts will be clean.

[greenhorn]

Is this available locally?

[1self]

Yup, most good electrical shops ought to carry it. I got my 2nd can in Pune itself.

[Gandhi]

I use ArmorAll for all plastic parts in the car. Interiors + exteriors. Works really well. All the plastic parts in my 2 and a half years old car still look like new.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by Gandhi

I use ArmorAll for all plastic parts in the car. Interiors + exteriors. Works really well. All the plastic parts in my 2 and a half years old car still look like new.

HE is talking about the interior mechanism of the stalks. Not the exterior looks

Originally Posted by greenhorn

My control stalks are becoming a bit hard these days, so was planning to dismantle the outer shrouds and apply something to lubricate the switches/the plastic parts, but was not sure what to apply.

I was thinking along the lines of WD 40, or some silicone grease (which I use for electronic parts)

Google tells me there is another thing called an "electrical contact cleaner" which needs to be used too

Can someone please explain what exactly should be done?

You can buy cyclo silicone spray. I got it from Shell pump here in Bangalore.Maybe you can get it on ebay. Does its job nicely