Spinnaker Pole ends

DeeGee

DeeGee

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Some time ago had a discussion on siezing spi pole end plungers. Various things emerged, including DO NOT USE WD40. Well, first, I can confirm the WD40 thing by bitter experience; but I have just spoken to Selden, and they say pour (immerse?) a kettle of hot water over the end, repeat if necessary.

Has anyone tried this? and does it work?
 
I presume you're talking about the aluminium body & stainless steel plunger and spring holder type. I tried it and it improved things, so now its stiff but not seized. I also soaked it in a warm solution of vinegar to try and remove the aluminium salts, you've reminded me I ought to take it off again this winter and try and free it up a bit more again.
 
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Various things emerged, including DO NOT USE WD40. Well, first, I can confirm the WD40 thing by bitter experience;

[/ QUOTE ]Why not use WD40? I used it with great success to free off the plungers on my #2 spi pole
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
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Various things emerged, including DO NOT USE WD40. Well, first, I can confirm the WD40 thing by bitter experience;

[/ QUOTE ]Why not use WD40? I used it with great success to free off the plungers on my #2 spi pole
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hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

[/ QUOTE ]The first time I had this problem, jammed plungers, I worked very hard at getting them moving again, and this involved much WD40 and sort-of-pumping the plunger until free. It seized by the next season. I repeated the exercise, but had more difficulty in getting them working, they were more gummedup than ever. On SB or R2R, a number of voices were raised against WD40. This time round, I will use a Teflon spray which I use on sail slides and various blocks around the boat - it seems v successful, as it is a dry lubricant.

(I would not put silicon on s/s, as Si is high enough in the galvanic scale to be certain to corrode the s/s).
 
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How about the silicon spray which we spray all our hanks with?


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I would not put silicon on s/s, as Si is high enough in the galvanic scale to be certain to corrode the s/s

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I think you are confusing silicon with silicone.

Silicon is a hard non metallic element (some would say semi-metallic). It occurs as silica and silicates. It is no good as a lubricant or for breast implants, but it is used in electronics and metal alloys. Silicones are used as lubricants, sealants, breast implants, water repellants etc etc.

The reference to the position of silicon in the galvanic series has no relevance to the use of silicones as lubricants
 
Vic S is spot on - I work in the silicone industry! I use a teflon and silicone spray which I bought from Maplin Electronics for my sail slides - one application per season works very well, and would be worth a shot on the pole ends.
 
I had the problem of the plungers sticking. My pole is a Proctor type and the ends have bronze springs inside nylon tubes with a slot in the side for the lug which opens the end.

It helped to disassemble the ends and clean them, but in the end I had to scrape some plastic off the outside of the nylon tube as it was being squeezed by the aluminium casting every time I reassembled it. Since doing that, silicone based grease has kept the plungers mobile. The real problem is that almost anything hydrocarbon based soaks into nylon and makes it swell. Rain down wind of Fawley Refinery probably counts as well.
 
Silicon vs silicones - I stand corrected. I based this observation on advice received re silicon(e?) grease - ie. do not use underwater on anything, due to the galvanic position. Comments welcome...
 
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