Lubricating Deck Filler Cap Threads

[scotts_mist]

I connected up the old girl's fresh water tank over the weekend (one of those jobs that never got completed over winter when we bought her).

Had an absolute b* of a job trying to free up the cap on the deck filler. Does anyone have any tips on lubricating the threads to stop them seizing? I'm not sure I fancy WD40 dripping into the water supply even if it is diluted in 60+ litres of water.

On a plus, I at least found out what the hitherto unknown stop-cock was for... when the float switch alarm triggered I realised the tank was emptying straight out into the bilge!

 

[Silent Lady]

Vasaline .. Can be used for all sorts of things

 

[Biggles Wader]

Vasaline .. Can be used for all sorts of things

Thats what I use.Also for battery terminals,hatch sliders,genoa cars,mast and boom sliders and just about everything else.

 

[macd]

Vaseline would work. If there's any possibility of galvanic corrosion, a smear of lanolin might be better. Handy stuff to have on board in any case.

 

[Heckler]

Vasaline .. Can be used for all sorts of things

Plus one
Stu

 

[Retired in Crete]

I always have a Lypsyl in my pocket to guard against chapped lips.

Excellent for lubricating anything plastic.

John

 

[LittleShip]

Silicone grease !!

Tom

 

[FullCircle]

Going a bit further....

Vaseline will still attract dust and dirt particles.

I would use a silicone spray onto a kitchen towel, and wipe each component with that.

Makes it very free running, and the silicon should also make it food grade compliant too, and no dust attraction.

If it works on your sail slides, it will work on the deck filler caps.

I use BOGOD, but the posher boats will no doubt have some SailKote or McLube.

 

[Leighb]

Silicone grease !!

Tom

+1. These alloy fittings can get seriously seized. When we acquired our boat it had been out of commission for a few years. It seemed impossible to undo the water filler. In the end I had to use a centre punch and a lump hammer for a long time to knock it free, that was after trying penetrating oil and heat. Fortunately it did come undone and has been fine since. It would have been a bu8888r to replace because of access .

 

[nigelmercier]

Another vote for silicone, Vaseline is so last century.

 

[LittleSister]

Vaseline is so last century.

Actually the century before last! But then sails and motors go back quite a bit, too. ;-)