Stuck Strat tone and volume knobs

Every once in a while, the tone and volume knobs on my Strat would get 'stuck'. As in, it takes a herculean effort to turn them and more likely the grooves on my plastic knob buttons would be grated smooth than the damned knobs turning.

Usually, a couple of sprays of pot cleaner would do the job of lubricating them. But after an extended period of not touching my Strat, I found that the knobs are now completely stuck and no amount of pot cleaner or plain brute force would turn them.

What should I do now? Would changing the pots be the only solution? Can anybody offer any advice on this? Mucho gracias for any help here!

Thanks

Definitely should be replaced. Also try:
www.guitarelectronics.com

It sounds like water got into those pots somehow.

Cheap pots tend to get stuck like this

Realistically, yes.

Shouldn't cost more than $10 to do if you can solder. No need to remove the strings even (if you are careful!). Slacken the strings, remove the scratch plate screws and wiggle the scratch plate out taking care not to break the earth to the trem block or the screened lead to the output socket. Put a towel over the guitar body so that it doesn't get scratched. Replace each pot one at a time (so that you don't confuse the wiring). Use a 50 watt soldering iron to make a good connection to the pot cases. Should take around 30 minutes.

While you've got the scratch plate out, it would be a great excuse to upgrade the pickups, fit a coil tap, fit some screening, whatever

You could try a true pot lube, like Caig MCL. If you don't own a can, you might as well replace pots. If this is a vintage guitar, don't through them out.