Booty cam - repair needed?

I bootied this cam last weekend. My partner had done the route two weeks prior and it was not there, so it was out in the elements for a relatively short period of time. It is a 2019 BD #3 and looks to be in good shape other than a bit of rust on the one axle as seen in the photos. Opinions on whether this is more of a cosmetic thing or should I send it in for repairs?

I e-mailed BD but figure they will say to send it in so thought I'd ask here as well...

Cosmetic. Unless you can feel something sticking or slow in the action, it’s fine. Hit it with some lube just to be sure.

Maybe there’s a tiny chance it could compromise the strength of the axle, but I’m not smart enough to evaluate that, maybe someone else is. Tell us what BD says! 

I would expect that it is just some surface rust on the end, but that part is structural enough it is worth having BD weight in.  Not sure if they can get a new axle or how much it would be.

Doctor Drake wrote:

Cosmetic. Unless you can feel something sticking or slow in the action, it’s fine. Hit it with some lube just to be sure.

Maybe there’s a tiny chance it could compromise the strength of the axle, but I’m not smart enough to evaluate that, maybe someone else is. Tell us what BD says! 

this was my suspicion. the action is still good at the rust seems localized to the 'head', doesn't really extend into the axle much.

Is WD-40 OK? K-Y Jelly? What kind of lube do you guys use? Is cam lube really necessary?

I'll let you guys know what BD says...

WD-40 works great. Personally, I use either a silicon lubricant or Teflon bike lube as they stick to stick around longer. I lube my cams after they've gotten wet or once a year because I’m bored. There’s a couple other threads that discuss which lube is best, check those out. 

Graphite works the best in my opinion. Lubes attract dirt.

10/10 would whip

edit to add: make sure you inspect the sling. the parts you've shown in the photo look fine. 

Little lube and light scoring with a scotch brite pad and you’re good to go

Doctor Drake wrote:

WD-40 works great. Personally, I use either a silicon lubricant or Teflon bike lube as they stick to stick around longer. I lube my cams after they've gotten wet or once a year because I’m bored. There’s a couple other threads that discuss which lube is best, check those out. 

WD-40 is not a lubricant- it’s a penetrating substance. Bearing surfaces should never see penetrating substance. After applying WD no oil or grease will lubricate the surfaces that it touched- save it for rusty threads. 

My partner and I had to leave a bunch of gear out for a year and a half- we got all the cams working using olive oil. 

Guy Keesee wrote:

WD-40 is not a lubricant- it’s a penetrating substance. Bearing surfaces should never see penetrating substance. After applying WD no oil or grease will lubricate the surfaces that it touched- save it for rusty threads. 

My partner and I had to leave a bunch of gear out for a year and a half- we got all the cams working using olive oil. 

First correction - WD-40 is comprised of a lubricating oil in a light solvent. It penetrates well due to the latter's low viscosity. Once that solvent evaporates, there is a significant oil film left behind. If you don't believe me, spray some on your sunglasses and try to look through them an hour later. Or do what I did (when I worked for a BIG company that makes lubricants of all kinds), tear the product apart in the analytical lab.

Second - olive oil, like all vegetable lipids, will oxidize and become ridiculously tacky. I can hardly imagine a poorer choice for a cam lube.

OP - As Jeff said, just buff it off and put that booty on your rack.

Looks good, what route was it? 

Connor Dobson wrote:

Looks good, what route was it? 

Birthday Ridge at Bon Echo in Ontario, Canada... a 5.2 LOL. It was heinously overcammed; whoever placed it didn't know what they were doing.

finish line dry bike lubricant. same as the metolious cam stuff.

Just google the phrase "booty cam lube" if you need a better education on these things.

Danny Herrera wrote:

finish line dry bike lubricant. same as the metolious cam stuff.

I have the Metolius stuff, but it is the same as finish line...

Mountain Dillo wrote:

Just google the phrase "booty cam lube" if you need a better education on these things.

Do I get the same website suggestions if I leave out the word "cam"?

Here's the response I got from BD

Hi Delaney,

 Rust can effect the lifespan of your gear and in some instances can be grounds for retirement. I suggest thoroughly cleaning this cam with some hot water and a small bristle brush to remove any surface rust. Then use some cam lube on it and inspect the functionality and safety of the cam. 

Also, generally we strongly discourage using second hand or found cams because you do not know how the cams have been stored or used.

 Let me know if you have any other questions.

Gumby boy king wrote:

Graphite works the best in my opinion. Lubes attract dirt.

I have some because I used to use it for my pulleys at work. A couple years ago it was determined that graphite is not good to use. I guess it attracts dirt or something dumb. 

I understand the bias against WD-40 here (used to cycle a bunch) but it's the best I've tried for rehabbing old cams. Really it just works - removes the rust, unsticks, and seems to lube them as long as Finish Line Teflon (basically cam lube). Probably because cams don't really need lube, they just need to be cleaned and freed up.

Black Diamonds responses seem to be a bit variable -- I sent them a picture of a rustier and slightly bent ultralight #1 I found and they told it me it was fine, just use it. The rust clears up fast.