Lubricating mainsail mast track an slides

[Cspirit]

What do people use for the above? I used to use candle wax and have tried other lubricants with varying degrees of success. Recommendations gratefully received.

 

[lustyd]

What do people use for the above? I used to use candle wax and have tried other lubricants with varying degrees of success. Recommendations gratefully received.

These posts usually end with an agreement that just cleaning the track properly is the best long term solution. Anything else tends to attract dirt and make things harder.

 

[Poignard]

PTFE spray works fine.

 

[michael_w]

McLube. Horribly expensive, but it works.

 

[simonfraser]

These posts usually end with an agreement that just cleaning the track properly is the best long term solution. Anything else tends to attract dirt and make things harder.

+1

What's the setup ?

Up or Down a problem ?

 

[skip50]

McLube. Horribly expensive, but it works.

+1

 

[jwilson]

McLube. Horribly expensive, but it works.

+1 McLube is best, very cheap spray furniture polish (ie 69p a can) second best to McLube or other made-for-the-job marine products. Don't use expensive furniture polish with beeswax etc., just collects dirt.

 

[nigelmercier]

PTFE spray works fine.

As long as it is a dry PTFE, so it doesn't attract dirt. I use this http://amzn.to/1nZGa3L

 

[Keen_Ed]

McLube. Horribly expensive, but it works.

Anybody tried this?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-ptfe-spray-lubricant-400ml/80487

 

[duncan99210]

Anybody tried this?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-ptfe-spray-lubricant-400ml/80487

Yes. I've used it on the mast track but came to the conclusion that it didn't really need it. Using it on the runners of the companionway hatch was a revelation - the hatch now moves so easily it nearly takes you fingers off.

 

[tillergirl]

I've used this. The can lasts for years. Puts a nice coating on mast and track. Never have a problem and that's on a MAB.

http://marinestore.co.uk/Hempel__Alu_Protect_500ml__Mast_Care_Oil_.html

 

[VicS]

Or this one from Toolstation

............... http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Automotive/Lubricants+Sprays/PTFE+Spray+400ml/d60/sd2795/p63929​

Used it around the house to good effect. Not yet tried it on the boat.

Also consider the awning track lubricant for caravans.

 

[nickd]

I use silicon lube
http://www.amazon.co.uk/WD-40-400-SILICONE-SPRAY-LUBRICANT/dp/B003GXBGZ6
Have done for many years
Important thing is it is dry so no sand or rubbish sticks to it

 

[catlotion]

I use silicon lube
http://www.amazon.co.uk/WD-40-400-SILICONE-SPRAY-LUBRICANT/dp/B003GXBGZ6
Have done for many years
Important thing is it is dry so no sand or rubbish sticks to it

+1 for silicon spray. Got some from a local motor spares shop. Works a treat! Be careful not to get it on anything else though!

 

[Ruffles]

I've used ptfe spray in the past and pledge recently.

Eventually you do need to clear the slot out. A cloth soaked in WD40 seems to work well. Best done on the way down for obvious reasons!

 

[Searush]

I used WD40 for cleaning the hatch tracks. Brilliantly effective, but you do need a few rags to soak up the filthy black gunge that comes out or it will stain everything.

 

[Searush]

Anybody tried this?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-ptfe-spray-lubricant-400ml/80487

Out of stock, clearance item.

 

[Ripster]

McLube. Horribly expensive, but it works.

+2 used it for few things around the boat. It works.

 

[charles_reed]

McLube. Horribly expensive, but it works.

Dry PTFE spray, of which McLube is one brand - buy from engineers merchants for about 20% of the price.

 

[rogerthebodger]

This has been covered before

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...-than-McLube-is-it-effectively-the-same-stuff