Cam Lube options

Greetings MP,

It seems to me that Metolius Cam Lube is really expensive for the amount you get per bottle. It is my understanding that you can use other teflon based lubricants in its place just fine. Anyone have experience with this, or can recommend a decent lubricant for cams?

Thanks!

E

Metolius Cam Lube is made by White Lightning which is a wax based MTB chain lube with an alcohol delivery which evaporates and becomes DRY. If you go to a bike shop you can pickup a larger bottle which is cheaper per oz.

If you use teflon based lubes make sure that its a DRY application and not a wet one. A good dry teflon is Finish Line's DRY Lube

Don't use anything that stays wet like WD-40

There was a whole thread on this.

mountainproject.com/v/cam-l…

WD-40. Wild Country says this is what they approve as it will not damage slings.

I used a Teflon based spray recently because a few of my mastercams were getting sticky. I went ahead and just cleaned, dried and lubed the whole rack. It turned out pretty bad and even my c4's were sticking. I've seen them get gritty before but not actually stay cammed. So now I've had to clean the whole rack to get the Teflon gunk out. It could be that I used to much, so I'm not saying it's flat out no good but that's been my experience with Teflon. Btw it was a "dry" Teflon lube despite being spayed on.

Any one have experience with graphite lube?

I second White Lightning chain lube
Cheap, and it works great, and it doesn't attract dirt and grime and crap or boogers.
Also, its cleans out really easily when it does come time to clean and re-lube.
I use it on all my cams.
The delivery alcohol also makes it wicked hard to "over lube" leaving too much crap on there... its practically foolproof.

Szymon wrote:Any one have experience with graphite lube?

For normal cleaning soap and water works fine

If that doesnt clear it up just use a wax based lube

For really hard cases i use triflow teflon lube ... A drop on each side is all you need

But remember you need to scrub all the dirt out with soap and water first

Adding lube to dirt aint gonna help alot

;)

Thank you very much everyone, and I apologize for not searching for old threads first.

anybody put their cams in the dishwasher?

T-9 oil - best in the biz

When the temps dip below freezing, many synthetic lubes like Cam Lube begin to gel and your cams may not work. When it gels, it can gum up the springs and everything else inside in cold temps. Your cams become useless. I learned this the hard way.

I only use good ole petroleum based oils now and have had no problems in warm or cold temps.

bodily fluids, also the last breath of a virgin works well from what I hear.

Graphite powder is what we use on aluminum fire hose couplings/swivels and threads. It's liquid free and works amazing. Buttery feeling after use. Comes in a tube and blows out of a fine tip.

Dishwashers can be run without the heated dry cycle and only get as hot as your hot water heater (I think). But still soaking cams for the long seems overkill. You can't see what's happening in there either. Compressor is a good idea. Could use on your rope too to knock off the loose dirt.

Best way to get them clean is with a concentrated liquid soap e.g. straight dish soap, combined with working the cam open and closed many times. I doubt a dishwasher would do an adequate job.

Graphite lube has been okay, but as stated it wears off fast. This season I'm going to try UltraLube (TM), high oleic soy oil. The worry with an oil is that dust will accumulate and turn it to gum. We'll see.

The Word wrote: When the temps dip below freezing, many synthetic lubes like Cam Lube begin to gel and your cams may not work. When it gels, it can gum up the springs and everything else inside in cold temps. Your cams become useless. I learned this the hard way. I only use good ole petroleum based oils now and have had no problems in warm or cold temps.

I clean mine with liquid dish soap and compressed air too and lube with dry Teflon. However before winter I don’t lube with Teflon as it gets too thick slow action. Dry them before I dry my feet each night.

Would appreciate feedback how graphite powder operates in winter ? 

Also wondering if any tried T9 (only on cams mechanical parts but afraid it will get residue on slings)?

Thanks 

I never liked that wax chain lube on MTBs. I have Teflon lube from one of the big box home improvement places. It’s in the same kind of bottle as the bike lube. I don’t remember what the solvent is but it evaporates pretty quickly. You can also find sprays in the form of “lock lube”.  The WD-40 type wet lubes will collect dirt and grit that will wear your stuff out. That stuff should never be used on anything exposed to dust or dirt.