lubin' it January 19, 2005, 11:20:05 am Yahoo Message Number: 49618Hi all,I mentioned earlier I'd like to be LD's supplier of polyurethane caulk . . . they must use a ton of it to make our LD's tight, secure, well sealed and rattle free. Being their supplier of white lithium grease would pay the rent too. LD uses it on all manner of screws, latches, locks and fittings. During the first several thousand miles, this stuff seems to ooze out to attract and gather dirt, bleed, run and streak, and generally get on stuff it shouldn't. While lithium grease may be a reasonably good lubricant, but it's not an all-purpose one! Dear LD, instead please consider using:anti-sieze on threads (Permatex makes a good one)graphite lube or other lube made especially for locks (dirt won't gum-up the works) silicone spray or dry-lube for the lock latches (won't bleed or make a mess on hands and clothes)Silicone spray or dry-lube spray for the TV mount slide.Other:The lock knob on my TV mount (26 MB) was stiff to turn even though it had plenty of lithium grease. At first I figured this was normal, but when I removed the knob completely, I could see the problem. The threads were contaminated with glue and gunk. I chased the threads with a die and re-lubed (not w/lithium grease!) and all is well.BTW, there are some more modern alternatives to lithium grease in case anyone is looking. One such is a synthetic grease made by Synco and sold as "Super Lube". It's also sold under private label by Permatex and others, including Radio Shack ("Super Lube Gel", at $3 for a 3 ounce tube). Super Lube is milky clear in color, has a very broad temperature range and good pressure lube qualities. Oh, and it's slicker than snake snot on a flat rock. A spray version, "Super Lube Spray" is available and on the shelf at Lowe's.all the best,bumper
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] lubin' it Reply #1 – January 20, 2005, 02:10:17 am Yahoo Message Number: 49635Anything that's slicker than snake snot on a flat rock has my vote of confidence f'sure! Thanks for the lube info Bumper. I was told by Mimi and have read on this board that the silicon spray to use is a non petroleum-based silicon (preferably "food grade"), and I'm wondering if you can recommend a brand preference and direct me to a retail source. Seems like every time I pick up a can, there's a label cautioning that it's "extremely flammable" I'm assuming Silicon Flambe isn't the "food grade" type. Right?!! So what/where should I be looking? Ditto for "dry-lube spray." Thanks Bumper Lorna, enjoying a Santa Cruz Summer day in the yacht harbor while Sambo romps in the poison oak. (He snot snuggling with this kid tonight!!)
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] lubin' it Reply #2 – January 20, 2005, 10:06:48 am Yahoo Message Number: 49651QuoteAnything that's slicker than snake snot on a flat rock has my vote of confidence f'sure!Thanks for the lube info Bumper. I was told by Mimi and have read on this board that the silicon spray to use is a non petroleum-based silicon (preferably "food grade"), and I'm wondering if you can recommend a brand preference and direct me to a retail source. Seems like every time I pick up a can, there's a label cautioning that it'sQuote"extremely flammable" Lorna,Do a quick Froogle search using and it'll turn up a bunch of them. However, don't be surprised if most *all* these spray cans are flamable while spraying and often the propellent is hydrocarbon bases (propane etc).A search for is not quite so focused, but you'll find suitable ones after you get past the chain lubes. I have a couple of cans of Borden dri-lube I found at some hardware store years ago - - lasts forever I think.PS If spraying on surfaces that may stain, always test first on the recommended, but sometimes impossible to find, obscure area. To lubricate things like rubber door seals, where overspray will be an issue, spray silicone on a scrap of paper towel 'till wet, then wipe on rubber seal (rubber door seals like this and you'll be amazed at how much easier doors close/open and seals last longer too). Give the main door latch a shot of silicone spray while you're at it. (g)bumper
Re: lubin' it Reply #3 – January 20, 2005, 12:23:28 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49658Quote from: John Morgan" "...you'll find suitable ones after you get past the chain lubes..."bumperBumper, and those with Kwikee electric stepsWhile all you good folks are spraying this and that here and there, what are you using on your Kwikee steps???Are you aware that Kwikee Products Co. makes a lube they recommend for their electric steps? They call it (what else) "Kwik Lube" and claim it is a "Grease Gun in a Can." I've used it on my electric steps for over 10 years with very good results. You will find it at Camping World among other places.Steve S. Lazy Bones
Re: lubin' it Reply #4 – January 20, 2005, 12:43:23 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49661Do Kwikee steps have actual grease fittings ?
Re: lubin' it Reply #5 – January 20, 2005, 12:54:16 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49664Quote Bumper, and those with Kwikee electric stepsWhile all you good folks are spraying this and that here and there,Quotewhat are you using on your Kwikee steps???Are you aware that Kwikee Products Co. makes a lube they recommend for their electric steps? They call it (what else) "Kwik Lube" and claim it is a "Grease Gun in a Can." I've used it on my electric steps for over 10 years with very good results. You will find it at Camping World among other places.Steve S. Lazy Bones Steve,I s'pose one could have a "branded" lube from most anything, but I think it only takes a few differant types to cover the bases:Silicone spray for: rubber, things that need a light duty lube without a mess.Dry lube spray: won't penetrate like silicone and not for rubber seals, otherwise good for stuff like drawer slides and more."Super Lube" or "Tri-Flow" spray: for things (like the electric step) than need a penetrating lubricant with a carrier that evaporates to leave behind a grease-like coating. This coating will have better high pressure lubrication properties and will be longer lasting than a surface lube like silicone or dry-lube spray. (of these two, I prefer Super Lube)both, like grease or oil, will tend to attract dirt and so shouldn't be used on door locks etc.Grease: "Super Lube Gel" (a synthetic grease) or just regular old grease (most greases are really just an oil with a thickener to hold it in place) for those applications that require heavy duty lubrication that tends to stay in place. WD-40: Not really a good lubricant, does displace moisture, works as a penetrating oil to free stuck things (but nowhere near as good for this as "Kroil" or "Liquid Wrench"), is petroleum based so not compatible with some rubbers. Tends to dry and leave behind a sticky film that some say allows corrosion beneath. In a pinch, works acceptably well as a cutting oil on some materials (drilling steel etc).LPS-3, Boe-Shield, ACF-50: these dry to leave a waxy, heavy film that helps prevent corrosion. The latter two are also intended for spraying large areas inside aluminum aircraft to help prevent corrosion, and are good for battery terminals and the like. Purpose made products for battery terminals, as well as grease, Vasoline, or Super Lube spray or gel will also do the job.A light machine oil such as "3-in-1" oil: good for more delicate things where a petroleum oil is called for.I'm sure I've left off a few, but the above should handle most things and do a better job than "snake snot" (g).all the best,bumper
Re: lubin' it Reply #6 – January 20, 2005, 01:05:24 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49669Quote Do Kwikee steps have actual grease fittings ? No Bob, no grease fittings as such! But, there are a lot of friction points at each knee joint on those steps and at the actuator mechanism as well. The instructions that come with the Kwikee steps have the lube locations listed.Kwik Lube is an aerosol spray and with the extension tube provided you can zero in on the exact point where lube is needed. It helps to reduce overspray.Steve S. Lazy Bones
Re: lubin' it Reply #7 – January 20, 2005, 01:06:30 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49670Quote Do Kwikee steps have actual grease fittings ? Zerk fittings would be nice, but no. They also don't have nice bronze or oilite bushings, or probably even cheap plastic ones. Just plain old steel-on-steel pivot points that will wear into each other over time if you don't give 'em a shot of lubricant now-and-then. I suppose most people neglect this sort of thing, and with the typical number of cycles a step would see, they still last for years and years. However, I was born with a love for things mechanical, and so can't ignore their silent (but sometimes squeeky) pleas for help!bumper
Re: lubin' it Reply #8 – January 20, 2005, 01:11:52 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49674I have a small lithium grease gun. I'll see if it can squirt grease into the joints.
Re: lubin' it Reply #9 – January 20, 2005, 01:20:49 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49677If it can't, many automotive stores will have a needle attachment that attaches to your grease gun with a zerk fitting. Works like a charm!bumper
Re: lubin' it Reply #10 – January 20, 2005, 01:25:04 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49679Thanks. I'll get one.
Re: lubin' it Reply #11 – January 20, 2005, 01:49:37 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49681Quote "Just plain old steel-on-steel pivot points that will wear into each other over time..."Quotebumper bumperWhile that is true for the current version of the Kwikee being used on the LD, it was not true for my 10 year old SOB RV. On that one I have a double Kwikee step and there is a nylon bushing at every pivot point. None the less, they still recommend lubrication.When I took delivery of Lazy Bones last October one of the first things I wanted to change was a double step in lieu of the single that LD installs. Alas and alak, I was told by Temecula Valley RV that there was insufficient clearance for the double step. Oh well, it was worth asking but now I have to carry an extra step to accomodate the wife's bad knees.Steve S. Lazy Bones
lubin' it Reply #13 – January 19, 2005, 04:03:26 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49627Oh, and it's slicker than snake snot on a flat rock.Hmmmm...and just how do you know this? :-)Linda & Earl 2004 23.5' Red TK From Quartzsite, AZ
Topic: lubin' it (Read 8 times)
previous topic - next topic
Topic: lubin' it (Read 8 times)
previous topic - next topic