What type of lubricant should be used on turnbuckles? The buggers were really difficult to turn when we took the mast off and I think I should grease them for next season. WD40, Sewing Machine Oil, Lithium (white grease)? How about a parafin based wax, the kind that is used on bicycle chains? What about it getting on the sails and all the mess that it can make? Comments...
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J
Joanie
E
Eric
I had similar problems this summer
I trailer my little boat, so the mast is up and down quite often. One turnbuckle was so tight, I had to put it in a vice to free it up;{. I sprayed it with LPS, a commercial lubricant, used in industry where *oils* shouldn't be used, like food processing machinery. Then I smeared on a little dab of Fast Trac lubricant I have for my mast track. Seemed to work OK, but I don't know how long it will last before washing off. In summary, I would use a non-oil type of lube that doesn't attract dirt! What do you sail, and where do you sail Paul? Eric
I trailer my little boat, so the mast is up and down quite often. One turnbuckle was so tight, I had to put it in a vice to free it up;{. I sprayed it with LPS, a commercial lubricant, used in industry where *oils* shouldn't be used, like food processing machinery. Then I smeared on a little dab of Fast Trac lubricant I have for my mast track. Seemed to work OK, but I don't know how long it will last before washing off. In summary, I would use a non-oil type of lube that doesn't attract dirt! What do you sail, and where do you sail Paul? Eric
E
Eric
Didn't mean to "boggle"
in my response. Should be "used in industry where "oils" shouldn't be used"
in my response. Should be "used in industry where "oils" shouldn't be used"
P
Paul
white lithium works
My turnbuckles wouldn't turn at all!!! I sprayed them with WD-40 and it didn't help...immediately. Then I sprayed with white lithium grease and when I came back a week later they were free. Now I do a 1-2 treatment where I clean them with WD-40 and then spray on some lithium grease.
My turnbuckles wouldn't turn at all!!! I sprayed them with WD-40 and it didn't help...immediately. Then I sprayed with white lithium grease and when I came back a week later they were free. Now I do a 1-2 treatment where I clean them with WD-40 and then spray on some lithium grease.
B
Bill
Grease is dirty
Grease is great, but on turnbuckles it remains and can get on sails, hands & anything that touches it. Some people like turnbuckle covers (not me) which would protect them. I prefer a lubricant that does the job without leaving a greasy residue. T-9 works. C.Sherman Johnson has a great lube for t-buckle threads. WD-40 will work. Just a few drops or, if you get liberal, wipe the buckle down. Turn buckle covers in my opinion just house spiders, don't look that great and get in the way when adjusting your turnbuckles. Shrouds covers & turnbuckle covers, if you live in a salt water environment contain salt and cover up any fresh water cleaning that you should normally do. Also, after a while the sun degrades them and then they break up into a million little pieces and you have to pick all the pieces still clinging to the shrouds away. I'd rather go sailing.
Grease is great, but on turnbuckles it remains and can get on sails, hands & anything that touches it. Some people like turnbuckle covers (not me) which would protect them. I prefer a lubricant that does the job without leaving a greasy residue. T-9 works. C.Sherman Johnson has a great lube for t-buckle threads. WD-40 will work. Just a few drops or, if you get liberal, wipe the buckle down. Turn buckle covers in my opinion just house spiders, don't look that great and get in the way when adjusting your turnbuckles. Shrouds covers & turnbuckle covers, if you live in a salt water environment contain salt and cover up any fresh water cleaning that you should normally do. Also, after a while the sun degrades them and then they break up into a million little pieces and you have to pick all the pieces still clinging to the shrouds away. I'd rather go sailing.
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