UKC

Getting a bit sticky, any cheap alternatives to cam lube?

In reply to allyrocke:

Soap and hot water and an old toothbrush? And a good rinse afterward? Or have you tried that already?

In reply to allyrocke:

http://www.durex.com/en-ca/products/lubes/pages/playpassioncherry.aspx

Tasty too

In reply to allyrocke:

I prefer the finish line dry as I find the wax un the cam lube actually gunks up my cams. My HB quad cams used to actually advise using finish line dry in the instructions.

WC advise to use WD40, but IMO its not a very good lubricant and it attracts more dirt than finish line dry.

On the plus side WD40 has been tested with climbing gear and it doesn't harm it. Finish line dry has been tested I'm sure by many climbers but I'm not aware of any scientific tests. I try and keep it away from my textile gear until its fully dried.

In reply to Blue Straggler:
I would say it is worth cleaning and drying the cams every few years prior to lubing, but most times I don't bother (or need to), just wipeing off the excess finish line dry does actually clean the cams to some extent.

I would always use some lube after cleaning and rinsing the cams for optimum performance whatever.

In reply to allyrocke:

Perhaps a silicone or teflon spray lube? The former dries completely so wont attract dirt while the latter (bike chain spray) partially dries and leaves a teflon film. Not used either for that purpose though.

In reply to allyrocke:

Halfords do something called dry lube - it's for bike gears, cables etc. Seems to work fine.

In reply to CurlyStevo:


I've used this too, with good effects.


It's not meant to be a good lubricant. I've used it (in small quantities) after soaking in water (and drying), to help get the water out, then used a lubricant, e.g. finish line dry

In reply to Nick Russell:
No I agree its not a great lubricant (but does work okish) but wild country do recommend WD40 to lube their cams.

In reply to allyrocke:

GT85 every time. Forces out the water and lubricates. You won't use anything else after trying this.

In reply to allyrocke:

I use finish line wet lube, the one meant for chains on bikes. Personally I prefer that as when it gets dirt on it, it clumps up and drops off which keeps grit out of the mechanism.

In reply to allyrocke:

Where are you sticking them?

In reply to allyrocke:

another vote for GT 85

In reply to allyrocke:

GT85 has worked a treat for my cams too.

In reply to allyrocke:

Cheers UKC for your wisdom! Cams been washed after a salty trip but think they need some juice too.
Better get lubin' then

In reply to MischaHY:

Finishline wet does attract dirt though. Have you tried the dry I think its better.

In reply to allyrocke:

i've always used wd40 with no issues

In reply to andy.smythe:

Another vote for silicon lubricant

Screwfix do a Teflon aerosol. It's dry lube so doesn't attract cack, fantastic for cams and trigger groups in rifles, locks and switch gear. It's much cheaper than the 'specialist' sprays and works just as well. That said, I've never had a problem with WD - except once and it resulted with me getting stung by a lot of wasps

In reply to allyrocke:

8/10 well played.

In reply to allyrocke:

Bicycle chain lubes. The drier varieties are better as they won't pick up grit. Something like Pedros Ice Wax or Boeshield T9 work well. T9 comes in a both a drip bottle and a spraycan and lasts for absolutely ages on cams.

In reply to allyrocke:

Olive oil.Also,hot running water and an old toothbrush.Mitch

In reply to paul mitchell:

Seconded on the cleaning method. Cams don't need oil or lube. It just picks up dirt.

In reply to ByEek:


That's not what Mitch said. Cam's most certainly do need some sort of lube from time to time.

In reply to allyrocke:

Try graphite zip lubricant, got old can of Terra nova spray that's worked well for me

In reply to Sy Finch:


Just did mine, and my Krabs last night after most froze up on Sat in Coire nan Lochan. The lube helps prevent that too