cable lubricants

[filipinoredneck]

What is the best cable lubricant to use when freeing up stiff sliding cables. Also what is best to keep your cables in top shape. Preventitive maintenance stuff.:wondering

[84honda200s]

i use 3 in 1 oil. it works out ok.

[firefirefire90]

We just use WD40. But if your cable is starting to fray, as all cables will eventually do, there is no way to fix it. You will just have to buy a new cable.

[Billy Golightly]

I use to use airtool oil, but I learned of another method from here actually that works much better. And that is, to take the cable, coil it up, and throw it in an old bucket of used motor oil for a couple days. Remove, clean, and use. Works like brand new. You'll be surprised how good it does work.

[filipinoredneck]

I'll try the motor oil. I don't like the idea of pneumatic oil, it tends to separate and create a hard film over time. I see it on the pneumatic cylinders when I have to do a retrofit on a customers machine at work. It can get nasty if left for a long period of time. I'll get mine started tomorow. I have both trikes stripped down right now, as the kids are rebuilding and refurbishing them right now. THX!

[Vealmonkey]

I have a tube of graphite powdered light oil and it seems to work really well. Also it comes with a neat needle tip applicator which is very nice too. Sorry I can't remember what it is called.

[RedRider_AK]

PB gets sticky cables unstuck pretty good, from what I've experienced...

[Liquid-Darkness]

I use 3 in 1. It works great.

[InPiEcEs]

Yea........Pb Blaster is nice stuff.
Puts Liquid Wrench to shame. It's all I use anymore.
I used to use the power lubers that hook up on your cable, and force lube down the whole works, but I agree with Billy on the oilbath method.
I've done it for a while now, and it works great.
I use a lighter weight motor oil, and put it on low heat for about 20 minutes on the stove.
Seems to heat up, and thin the oil allowing it to work in some.
I leave the cable soak overnight after the heat, wipe it down, hang it, wipe it down again, and it's as good as gold again.

[pickleweasel_00]

anybody ever tried the John Deere multi purpose spray lube? Great stuff, but the oil bath sounds like a good idea, have to remember that

[3bogger]

i soaked my cable in mineral spirits, then used alot of PB and it works ok. im goin to try the used motor oil thing.