CD Tray Lube?

F1nut
F1nut Posts: 52,104
edited January 2011 in Electronics
I got to wondering what lube is used for CD transport rails and laser sleds, so I spent some time researching and came up with a lot of different suggestions. Some like WD-40 and Vaseline are obviously really bad suggetions as would be anything that contains silicone. I saw mention of a product from Dow called Molykote and after further research found that their Molykote EM-30L seemed to be a good fit.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280612855824&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I'm interested in your opinions/suggestions and any first hand knowledge.
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  • Libertyc
    Libertyc Posts: 915
    edited January 2011
    Synthetic grease would be a very good choice. Light oil, WD40 would gunk up and attract dirt causing sticking.
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  • Libertyc
    Libertyc Posts: 915
    edited January 2011
    This might be good too:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Super-Lube-21010-Synthetic-Grease-PTFE-1-2-oz-tube-/310162240166?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item48371c32a6#ht_1184wt_698
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,104
    edited January 2011
    The Super Lube is interesting...seems to be good for just about everything. I noted that it too contains Teflon.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited January 2011
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  • ESavinon
    ESavinon Posts: 3,067
    edited January 2011
    http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/CRC-Dry-Graphite-Lube-4JB39?cm_mmc=Google%20Base-_-Lubrication-_-Lubricants-_-4JB39
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  • smglbrth
    smglbrth Posts: 1,500
    edited January 2011
    Points grease might work too. As in cars/motorcycles that used to run on points for spark. Gee..., guess I am that old...:cool:
    Remember, when you're running from something, you're running to something...-me
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited January 2011
    That distributor cam/points grease is getting hard to find !:mad:
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited January 2011
    White lithium grease?
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • smglbrth
    smglbrth Posts: 1,500
    edited January 2011
    gdb wrote: »
    That distributor cam/points grease is getting hard to find !:mad:

    I've got a bunch! A couple of tubes anyway, I think..., somewhere..., might take me a while to find them though...
    Remember, when you're running from something, you're running to something...-me
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,598
    edited January 2011
    Hello F1nut,
    I certainly don't want to throw another product at you, but I have found Rislone to be a very good lubricant. This was recommended to me, several years ago, by some pro tape recorder mechanics. You can find it at any car parts shop, a quart will last forever.
    For a thicker lubricant I've used Garcia fishing reel lubricate for many years with great results. A lot of old-timers who did service work in the 60's would use Singer sewing machine oil.
    I hope this gives a few additional choices.
    Cheers, Ken
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  • fishbones
    fishbones Posts: 947
    edited January 2011
    F1, I have some "Penn Reel Lube" tubes that are brand new. They're older, but have been in my garage the whole time. It is a light oil type. I tried finding out what the ingredients are, but couldn't find it? I'll send you two of them at no charge if you want to try them? Got a bunch of them a long time ago from a fishing store I used to manage for free and always figured I'd find a use for them.

    pennlube_g.jpg

    ...though the one you have picked out looks pretty good? Up to you.
    ..... ><////(*>
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,104
    edited January 2011
    Lots of suggestions, thanks everyone.

    One thing to keep in mind is it has to be plastic safe and products like caliper grease, points grease, the reel lubes and white lithium grease are all petroleum based and therefore, not safe for plastics. The dry graphite lube and the electronics lube, although safe for plastics, aren't really suited for the job. I've inspected my transports and it is definitely a grease type of product rather than an oil or spray type of lube.

    I was hoping someone here whould know exactly what product was used by the manufacturers, but it seems like we're all in the same boat as the rest of the folks out there....that is clueless. :wink:

    I'm going to get some of the Molykote and see if it looks like the same stuff on my transports.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited January 2011
    You want to use the plastic/nylon safe stuff that model railroaders use, or not.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,250
    edited January 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    ... Some like WD-40 and Vaseline are obviously really bad suggetions as would be anything that contains silicone.

    What is the problem with silicone?


    "Silicone lubricant spray can be used on plastic gears, is common in electronics applications such as remote-controlled vehicles and CD/DVD slide tray mechanisms. Silicone lubricant is safe to use in these applications, as it also can be applied to electronic components to prevent corrosion."

    http://www.ehow.com/how_7202885_use-silicone-lubricant.html




    "However, silicone lubricants do have sufficient load-carrying capacity for all metal-to-plastic and plastic-to-plastic lubrication applications."

    http://www.dowcorning.com/content/discover/discoverchem/si-lubricants.aspx?bhcp=1
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  • LessisNevermore
    LessisNevermore Posts: 1,519
    edited January 2011
    Maybe this will fit the bill, Jesse.

    http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11368-155_TRIPS0-2-Accessories-26-Cleaners/Lubricants/Tri-Flow-High-Performance-Synthetic-Grease-3oz.htm
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,104
    edited January 2011
    What is the problem with silicone?

    I read some comments that stated not to use silicone based products for this purpose. I do know that silicone creeps like crazy and is not something one wants to get on the laser lens. Another issue with silicone is that once it gets on something, it's pretty much there for life, which isn't always a good thing.

    Anyway, thanks for the suggestion.


    http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/113...Grease-3oz.htm

    The Tri-Flow looks like it might be a possibility. Seems to be along the same line of the Molykote and Super Lube grease. Thanks, I'll keep that one in mind.




    I already ordered the Molykote, so I'll let ya'll know what I think.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited January 2011
    I used the tri-flow alot back when I was a smithy, it was useful.

    RT1
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited January 2011
    Maybe ask the manufacturer what they recommend?
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,598
    edited January 2011
    I looked in "Compact Disc Player, Maintenance and Repair" by Gordon McComb and John Cook and found, "A non-petroleum based grease is the best lubricant for sliding and meshing parts, the bulk of which are found in the pickup assembly and disc loading mechanism. As with oiling, apply only a small dab of grease. Spread the grease by moving or sliding the part back and forth a few times."
    "With slide pickups, the optical assembly slides along the two metal rails, which should be kept lubricated to assure smooth travel."
    I hope this helps.
    Cheers, Ken
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,104
    edited January 2011
    Thanks Ken. It appears that I am on the right track. :smile:

    Chuck, yeah that would have been too simple. :redface:
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited January 2011
    TimothyYousefs wrote: »
    Hello everybody. Nice to be here!
    so dep kiem viec

    reported....buh bye!
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  • Monster Jam
    Monster Jam Posts: 919
    edited January 2011
    Keiko wrote: »
    free-sexy-smileys-947.gif
    :eek:
    Do you hear that buzzing noise? :confused:
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  • Monster Jam
    Monster Jam Posts: 919
    edited January 2011
    Damn - that post didn't turn out so well.
    Do you hear that buzzing noise? :confused:
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  • fishbones
    fishbones Posts: 947
    edited January 2011
    Here ya go...Is this better? LMAO


    :eek:****.gif
    ..... ><////(*>
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,502
    edited January 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    I got to wondering what lube is used for CD transport rails and laser sleds, so I spent some time researching and came up with a lot of different suggestions. Some like WD-40 and Vaseline are obviously really bad suggetions as would be anything that contains silicone. I saw mention of a product from Dow called Molykote and after further research found that their Molykote EM-30L seemed to be a good fit.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280612855824&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

    I'm interested in your opinions/suggestions and any first hand knowledge.

    MolyKote would work brilliantly. Think of it a billions of metallic, molecular sized ball bearings, I'm not sure there is anything slipperier on earth (all snide comments above included).

    My dad worked in the aerospace field and specifically in metallurgy. We used MolyKote on my pinewood derby axles in the 60's to bring home a few 1st place trophies with cars that weren't otherwise that special.

    Caveat, you need to you use 10 time less than you think you need and localize it. Think of grinding the tip of a lead pencil into dust and mixing it with ink, and then trying to get of out of a white shirt.

    I don't know the Dow designation, but it was like a slippery graphite powder (maybe what they now refer to a as dry film lubricant) in a tube that looked like Super Glue and not the EM-30L designation you saw. If you squeezed the tube into the air it would release a puff of the stuff in a dustcloud, but when you rubbed it between a finger and thumb, it felt like a liquid and not a powder.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,104
    edited January 2011
    Thanks Greg, good info.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,502
    edited January 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    Thanks Greg, good info.

    I just called my dad and he told me what were were using was actually the "raw material" powder that could be used stand-alone, but was normally to be added to a vehicle.

    The EM-50L looks to be what manufactures might select for the production line

    http://www.dowcorning.com/applications/search/default.aspx?bhcp=1&Ntx=mode%20MatchAllPartial&Ntk=ProductFinder_en&Ne=4294965469&DCCD=PRODUCT&WT.svl=molykote_distributor_hor_EN&Nty=1&Ntt=molykote&N=4294956440+4294955995&DCCT=DISTRIBUTOR

    I didn't see the EM-30L on the Dow site, but the eBay description sure looks good.

    At any rate, I swear this stuff is SLIPPERY !!!
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,104
    edited January 2011
    I saw the EM-50L in my research, but could not find anyone selling a small quantity.

    I found this on Dow's site, http://www.dowcorning.com/content/news/molykote_news_EM30L.asp
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2011
    Morgan Scientific Lubricant,, British product,,used in medical equipment,specifically oxygen enriched environments,won't gunk,,slipperier than Woodstock mud,,I kid you not,,just let some get on the floor and you are on your a$$,, you can have all you want if you like,,I have the last few remaining containers which will last a few lifetimes.I'll send you some,if you'd like.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,104
    edited January 2011
    George, is it safe for plastics?
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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