Non-boaty - Sticky stuff on plastic gears

[alan_d]

This is non-boaty, but I am constantly impressed by the expertise on this forum.

My paper-shredder has been getting slower and slower and overheating after only a few sheets. I have taken it apart and can find nothing obviously wrong, but the plastic gear wheels are covered in a sticky substance resembling honey or golden syrup. It does not appear to have come from anywhere else, so is presumably meant to be there, but what on earth is it? (It cannot be a lubricant because its properties are exactly the reverse.)

Can anyone explain what it is, or suggest where I could find out?

Alan

 

[tinkicker0]

Probably a silicone / lithium grease for plastic parts. Used to use it on sticky plastic heater controls at one time. Think the brand was either Molykote or Molyslip.

 

[alan_d]

But shouldn't a lubricant be slippery? This stuff is horribly sticky. I wonder if it started off slippery but has undergone some sort of physical or chemical change.

 

[tinkicker0]

Naw its quite sticky to stop it dripping off.

 

[2Tizwoz]

Sounds like the grease has dried up.

Grease is typically a mixture of oil to lubricate and a soap to keep it in place.

Put some oil back, a few drops from time to time will no doubt suffice, or remove all the remaining grease and re-grease it.

 

[DinghyMan]

Get some PTFE or Silicon lubricant and spray liberally onto a sheet of paper then shred it, repeat a couple of times. We do this regularly on our cross cut shredder.