/diy/ - Do It Yourself

Need some diynosaur advice on a circuitry issue I'm having.

Recently built variable-speed stir plates, using a 1k pot to vary the speed of a 12v fan motor. Got the pots from China, so I don't expect much out of them in terms of longevity, especially since they are graphite-film.

In a few of them, there is some arcing between the internal contacts, occasionally giving off smoke. I'm guessing it's because of loose graphite between the moving contact and base plate.

Would injecting silicone/dielectric grease into the internals reduce the friction and increase the lifespan, or would it just insulate the contacts, ruining the pot? I have a few I can test it on first, but if y'all have any recommendations, they'd be appreciated.