Hi, folks - thanks to the recommendations of the good folks here, and
having reasonably assured myself that the MFJ-1026 does not have
plastic pots inside (or any other similarly sensitive innards), I gave
a couple quick squirts of DeOxit D5 Power Booster 5% to each of the
three key pots (main antenna gain, aux antenna gain and phasing
adjust), rocked the knobs several times as prescribed on the DeOxit
can, and allowed the stuff to evaporate for about 24 hours. I was
careful to gently cover the rest of the innards with a clean cotton
terry cloth while spraying the stuff into the pot holes. Two amazing
things happened:

(1) The static of the dirty pots is GONE GONE GONE! Huzzah!
(2) The degree of AM BCB intermod, especially below 4 MHz, is
dramatically increased, almost to the point where nothing legitimately
below 4 MHz can get through. All preamps off, still get the gunk
where it wasn't before. Booo.

So, a mixed bag (it least for now)!

It could be that the DeOxit worked so well that it brought the unit
back to its normal operating status - that is, a collector of intermod
junk from lower freqs (I do live in an area where BCB powerhouses
abound, on the edge of SF Bay). Or, it could be that I did not let
the stuff evaporate enough (so it gets another 24 hours as we speak).

Or, the DeOxit had some unintended effect on the unit, either inside
or outside the pots. I think this is unlikely.

As I investigate more, I will try to fill in the gaps. I also have a
PAR BCB intermod reduction filter I will try ahead of and behind the
unit. Meanwhile, I will appreciate any other ideas folks might have.

73, and don't let the political junk get you down,
Bruce Jensen