Tuner Lube

sdoow · #1 07-04-2010, 02:14 PM

Just thought I'd share my most recent idea for lubing open gear tuners. "White Lightning", no association with the company. I was just looking around the garage for something suitable when I remembered that back in my younger days I would remove my bicycle chain and soak it in melted paraffin wax. It's marketed as bicycle chain, gear and derailleur lube. It is essentially paraffin suspended in a liquid, alcohol based by the smell, the liquid carries it to the desired area then evaporates, leaving a film of wax.

Good idea or no?

Pilgrim · #2 07-04-2010, 02:23 PM

Doesn't sound bad. The trick is to avoid greasy stuff which will collect dist and create an abrasive slurry. Paraffin is handy stuff.

Powered or liquid graphite is great, but it can be messy - especially the powdered stuff.

202dy · #3 07-04-2010, 02:25 PM

Unnecessary. However, as long as the lube leaves no residue to attract dirt and grit it should not cause any long term problems as long as it is applied to the tuner only. It should be kept off any wood parts that are not sealed. If it contains silicone it should be avoided.

sdoow · #4 07-06-2010, 07:33 AM

I understand silicone is not good for wood finishes, don't have a clue if it is in this stuff, that could be an issue as this stuff is very viscous. Also if you have a nitro finish the alcohol would not be good. I applied it while the tuners were off during a rehab of a beat up bass. The beauty of it that I see is that it dries quickly, is non-greasy and does not attract dirt.

JTE · #5 07-06-2010, 08:02 AM

I use White Lightning on my bicycles (very clean, holds up for a long time, and not too messy), but not on my basses. It's pretty liquid, and that will get past the gears and into the wood. I just use what John Caruthers used (he used to write the guitar repair column for Guitar Player Magazine before there were any bass rags- also built Leland Sklar's frankenstein Fender studio bass with the dual EMG P, etc.). Petroleum jelly, VERY SPARINGLY applied to the worm gear, then wiped off. It puts just a very thin layer of lube in the gears, and if you clean it up won't attract dirt. It also won't go anywhere.

John

Pilgrim · #6 07-06-2010, 08:32 AM

It's worth noting that most tuners don't need to be lubed. The only ones I've encountered that need it are on 30+ year old basses.

sdoow · #7 07-06-2010, 11:28 AM

Thanks Pilgrim and JTE.

I had the tuners off and disassembled and noticed some scoring on the bearing surfaces of a couple of the worm gears and shafts. So I figured the wax would help fill in some of the worn areas, since obviously they were pretty abused. The keys were loose, yet stiff to turn and I was contemplating buying new ones, but now after a little TLC they turn smoothly and no longer rattle around.

The bass is only 15 years old, a MIM Jazz with a thick layer of grime, dust bunnies in the cavities and covered in stickers, even the fretboard. I have this thing for rescuing abused gear. :-)