What is best lubricant for a styrene-styrene slide?

[ship69]

Hello

Please can you recommend the best lubricant for a styrene-styrene slide.

Background

I have a styrene model that involves quite a lot of force going through a pair of styrene-on-styrene slides. I am looking for a light lubricant. Doesn't need to be water resistant. To perform at room temperature. Aging not critical. Must allow fairly fast movements.

My thinking so far:

- I understand that mineral oil dissolves styrene so not good.

- Someone say that silicone oil is safe on styrene, so maybe a light 100% synthetic silicone oil or grease?

- What about dry lubrication?

e.g. dry teflon sprays or possibly graphite (though how to apply - the surfaces are currently pretty smooth so wont take much off rubbing with a pencil)

Talc powder?

Soap?

Something specialist: molybdenum disulfide / Tungsten disulfide??

Problem: how do you stop any dry lube powder blowing away eventually? ( in wind etc).

- WD-40 / 3-in-1 may contain mineral oils??

- Other suggestions: NyOil II or Labelle #108 "plastic-safe" oil ?

Thanks

J

[bhouse]

In my experience Airfix model cement seems to do most of the things you ask

[cmatthewbacon]

Plastic parts silicone grease from your local bike shop. Intended for brake and gear maintenance, but my current mid size tube has done years of car and railway engine mechanics and is barely touched...

Bestest,

M.

[ship69]

On a whim I bought some "WD-40" branded "Specialist Anti Friction Dry PTFE lubricant" which I found in my local car accessories shop.

Bizarrely it does not appear to be remotely dry! I have tried leaving some to evaporate for a few hours and there is definitely still some grease/oil stuff left behind.

More:

http://wd40specialist.com/products/dry-lube/

On the can itself it says it is safe on "thermoplastics"

I am slightly concerned about what the propellant carrier fluid is and whether it will dissolve my styrene-cement bonds.

To take no chances I also bought some powered graphite but:

1. It doesn't appear to offer quite as much lubrication

2. All the black crud will look really messy on my (white) styrene model

So I am reluctant to use it at this point.


"Plastic parts silicone grease" sounds more sensible though. Hmm...

[Space Ranger]

Look for Labelle #108 multi-purpose light oil. It's plastic safe.

[CharlieNZ]

Graphite powder burnished onto the plastic contacting surfaces. Make sure it's polished and there's no need for excess powder floating around (especially as it is pretty messy stuff).

It's what we do on Steyr AUG triggers, which are plastic.

Edited November 8, 2015 by CharlieNZ

[ship69]

> Make sure it's polished

I have sanded it down with Wikes Specialist Finishing Paper ("320G Super Fine").

Do you think that will suffice / what else did you have in mind?

[jenko]

When I used to teach Desisgn and Technology we regually turned "plastic" down on a lathe and the cutting liquid / lubriacant we used was water. Worth a try as it's so cheap and on tap.

[CharlieNZ]

> Make sure it's polished

I have sanded it down with Wikes Specialist Finishing Paper ("320G Super Fine").

Do you think that will suffice / what else did you have in mind?

I don't really know what that product is, 320 doesn't sound very fine, but I can't say whether that is the same as normal sandpaper grit.

What I really meant was to buff the graphite powder to a shine. It's a fine line between polishing it and rubbing it all off, a bit like polishing buffable metallic paints.