I have learned to clean the tube pins (and test tubes)
first, before attempting any service. As Tubejunke points out, that can save embarrassing head-scratching later on.
http://antiqueradio.org/FirstStepsInRestoration.htm
Tube pins aren't so delicate that you need to fear cleaning them. I have brightened up many, many of them using fine sandpaper or a scraper, with no problem.
Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
htt[://antiqueradio.org/index.html