Slide gear lube ??

[rrray]

Our Owner's Manual advises not to lub the slider gears. - Just wash with mild soap and water -
Ours are getting a little rusty and I feel should treat them in some way. Obviously, grease or WD-40 would attrack dirt. One suggestion was to rub parifin wax on the gears. Another was a dry Silicon.

Anyone have experience in this area ?

Ray

[Cat320]

Any dry lub.

[Dunner]

Spray graphite will work.

[Donr827]

DuPont makes a Teflon spray that can be purchased from one of the big box stores. Do not use a silicone spray.
Don

[Dunner]

If it is like the Teflon® spray I have used, it leave an ugly white film. Works, but doesn't look too good on the exposed springs/shocks on a sandrail.

[rrray]

Went and tried the wax using a candle. Made a huge diff on the window slides. Don't know yet if residue will be an issue in hot weather. Tried it on the jack worm gear in back. Seemed to make a difference. Can't see how it would hurt, just parfin wax but does lub the gears.

ray

[Dunner]

For most people, you won't even have to go buy it. Just rub a bar of soap on any moving surface. Did I say that out loud?

[rrray]

Dunner - Tks for idea. Guess a wax candle would be similar to soap. Wax might last longer in wet weather ??

Others suggest Teflon. As long as it doesn't attrack dirt and grime. Wonder what is wong wiht Silicone ? One reader said to say away.
Ray

[Dunner]

Don't know about the silicone. Don't cha just hate it when somebody makes a bold statement and doesn't back it up with the facts or results.

Like I said before, Teflon works, but leaves an ugly stain, so to speak.

I've heard White Grease also doesn't attract dirt.

[Ray,IN]

Anything sticky will hold dirt, sand, and road grime; making a crude grinding compound-not good for sliding surfaces. I recommend a dry molybdenum spray. It applies wet (and black), the carrier dries leaving a dry film of lubricant and protectant.

[bob109]

Most slide mechanisms, consisting of gears and cogs, are the perfect candidate for pariffin wax. There are few lubricants that will not attract dust, grime, grit etc. Pariffin is the exception, is stable under most conditions, except extreme heat, stays water proof and is easy to apply. If a surface can be slightly heated, with a heat gun or butane toarch before applying, the pariffin will flow over all surfaces. A prime example of using paraffin as a lubricant are bi-cycle riders. They melt pariffin in a pot and dip their chains to lub and protect them from rust. Those who live and shovel snow in the north also apply it to metal snow shovels. It acts like Teflon

[rrray]

Bob - Thanks for your endorsement of pariffin. A ACE employee first suggested it to me when I was looking for a dry spray lubricant. He said just take a candle and rub it off on the gears. I first tried on interior window slides. Sure did free them up. Next rubbed it on my rear jack gears. Seemed to make a difference. Previous owner had been using WD 40 and they collected grime. Your suggestion to heat first is another good idea. Plan to go ahead and do all the slide gears. If hot weather, degrades it, can just re-apply. Would you agree using a candle is acceptable source of pariffin ? Have one of those big,fat ones used for holiday table decorations.

Ray

[Dunner]

DW's not gonna like you walkin` off with her favorite candle.

I wonder if machinist's wax would work. It has a lot higher melting point.

[bob109]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrray Bob - Thanks for your endorsement of pariffin. A ACE employee first suggested it to me when I was looking for a dry spray lubricant. He said just take a candle and rub it off on the gears. I first tried on interior window slides. Sure did free them up. Next rubbed it on my rear jack gears. Seemed to make a difference. Previous owner had been using WD 40 and they collected grime. Your suggestion to heat first is another good idea. Plan to go ahead and do all the slide gears. If hot weather, degrades it, can just re-apply. Would you agree using a candle is acceptable source of pariffin ? Have one of those big,fat ones used for holiday table decorations. Wal Mart also has it in stock! http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/06...72_300X300.jpg Ray

Ray:

Save the candle! Visit any ACE or True Value Hardware Store and you'll find Pariffin by the 1 lb. box. There's usually four 1/2 thick bars to a box. It's really inexpensive and won't go bad with long term stowage. The particular brand I purchased from my local Ace Store is Gulf Wax.
Reading the back of the box, which explains the general uses of the pariffin, you'll realize you have a product which has many uses
Wal Mart has Gulf Wax in stock!
Walmart.com: Gulf Wax: Household Paraffin Wax For Canning, Candlemaking & Many Other Uses, 16 Oz: Kitchen & Dining