Cleaning and lubricating sail track
If you ever used a commercial sail track 'lube', then you probably have to go aloft with a scrubbing brush and spray bottle of strong detergent. Strong sodium silicate based deterngents seem to work best. I simply take a bit of sponge of braided cotton rope (shaped to fit INSIDE the track, etc.) soaked in detergent and put it in between the topmost slugs and raise and lower the sail a few times, let soak in the track then spray/rinse with a hose from the deck. IMPORTANT - I then scrub/clean and lightly sand (400 grit) the slugs. The slugs will have more 'goo' attached than the aluminum track. If the slugs are abraded/worn thin its easier foir them to 'cock' in the track and 'stick'. If you need to replace (especially the top two, consider to replace with teflon coated 'long' slugs (www.sailrite.com) .... ditto the terminal outhaul slug. To lubricate the track, take a simple paraffin candle and heavily rub into the track as high as you can reach. Shape a 'torpedo' of the wax carved slightlly smaller than the geometry of the track and put in between the top two slugs ..... everytime you raise the main the 'torpedo' will lubricate the track. Also rub the candle on the appropriate faces of the slugs - half the job is lubricating the slugs! If you cant get the track clean without going aloft at least clean and wax the slugs - the paraffin will transfer to the track. Paraffin wax doesnt seem to attract atmospheric 'goo' as does the commercial track lubricants. If your main doesnt use slugs, simply rub the candle all over the boltrope. Youll know when you have the right amount of paraffin in the track as the mainsail will drop in a nanosecond when you let go of the halyard. hope this helps
