Lubricating cabin sliding door

[petem]

I've done a search but can't seem to find an answer to this. The main sliding door to our cabin is a bit stiff and the broker recommended some lubrication. However I can't remember if he recommended Silicone lubricant or advised against it! Any thoughts?

 

[Mike k]

Vaseline?

 

[petem]

Vaseline?

I'd worry that it would attract grit.

 

[rubberduck]

Silicone spray, we use it on pool Bi folds at home & on boat, works well & only needs treatment occasionally.
Make sure track is clean & grit free before 1st application.

 

[maby]

The WD40 guys have recently launched a range of "advanced lubricants" and they are very good. They have both a silicone and a "Dry PTFE" spray - the latter is very good in circumstances where you do not want the risk of drips and long term greasiness. Our cockpit enclosure includes a lot of zips and they were beginning to get difficult to engage and move. We tried the Dry PTFE and it is excellent - it is carried in a clear, highly volatile liquid that evaporates almost immediately and it leaves a low friction finish that has worked well for us - I think I would probably try that first.

They come in a rather clever aerosol can with the spray straw permanently attached - Halfords stocks them at around a fiver each - very good value.

 

[Nigelpickin]

Remove the dust and dirt and then a small drop of fairy liquid - works well.

 

[jfm]

OMG! Petem, perleeese!

 

[tico]

Just clean the ally tracks with a damp dishwashing sponge, and lube with a mean spray of silicone or PTFE spray.


BTW the 2 things that the broker gave you with a black plastic end and a metal sticky-out piece are the keys.

 

[petem]

OMG! Petem, perleeese!

Well I've had about 4 different answers so it's not a no-brainer .

The other issue is that the rollers may be hard to access for removal, if the wrong lubricant is used and wrecks them (removal of the sliding door is a dash off job for which I was quoted £2k plus 15 years ago) so I want to do the right thing!

 

[tico]

I suspect that the setup is the same as a Targa 31.... the bearings are standard Jack Holt mainsheet runners with recirculating acetal balls (fnarr..)and straightforward (if a little fiddly) to change. wont be damaged by the wrong lubricant. Really just need a clean track

 

[jfm]

it's not a no-brainer .

FFS!!! (What IS a no brainer then?)

 

[DougH]

FFS!!! (What IS a no brainer then?)[/Q

Some of the folks who work in my factory

 

[petem]

FFS!!! (What IS a no brainer then?)

I'm struggling to think of a boating one .

Ask me an IT question and I could you hundreds!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Any thoughts?

KY jelly?

 

[BruceK]

Mine's a little stiff but I prefer it that way. Close the door on the kids and the little demons struggle to get out. Perfect. I used Copaslip previously because it was handy. A huge mistake because then the damn thing would open and shut with the swell and had to be either locked shut or wedged full open and the kids could escape easily. Lasted a whole year before it stiffened up nicely again to stop the constant slam open and shut and escaping brat issues.

 

[petem]

KY jelly?

Previous elderly owners only left Vasoline on board, no KY I'm afraid.

 

[bluetooth]

+1 Silicone spray - needs redoing every 4 months or so and is very clean.

 

[Portofino]

:highly_amused::highly_amused::highly_amused::highly_amused::highly_amused:

OMG! Petem, perleeese!

Ps -J in post # 11 the acronym that starts in F and ends in S , i used it last week on here and got an e-mail from the "moderation team ' --it's banned they asked me to reword it .I did .

 

[rubberduck]

I reckon its a no brainer on the grounds that its a boaty question I know the answer to.

 

[rafiki_]

Pete, have you diagnosed the problem? Is it lube, distortion, anything else?