Lubricate plastic gears (Walkman)?

[Deleted member 89059]

So steel is magnetic and brass is too soft, right? That's why they use plastic?
Anyway, how to lubricate the plastic gears in a Walkman? I only have bicycle lube (green stuff) that I've been applying to CD player mechanisms.

Thank you.

 

[MaskdDingo]

So steel is magnetic and brass is too soft, right? That's why they use plastic?
Anyway, how to lubricate the plastic gears in a Walkman? I only have bicycle lube (green stuff) that I've been applying to CD player mechanisms.

Thank you.

I don't think there is any problem using the bicycle lube. Personally I use tri-flow's "red-grease" for the purpose you describe, but only because it came in a package deal with the lube pen I wanted.

I use the lube-pen to get into bearings. Basically on capstan shafts, but also motor bearings and such if they seem to need it. The red grease though does a good job lubing plastic gearing. It stays where you put it. I've used it on CD mechanisms to quiet them down and I've also found it helped silence the running of one of my old walkmans. Not sure if it's better suited than what you are already using, but this is what I've had success with.

Either way, the pin-point lube is good stuff. I even use it on my fishing reel!

http://store.triflowlubricants.com/...mber=TFCC20029/1546.0.1.1.54587.0.0.0.0?pp=8&

 

[Deleted member 89059]

I read somewhere that some types of lubricant (grease) can damage the plastic. Also, overly oily (greasy) substances can form a mix with shed plastic particles, forming a nice viscous abrasive plastic paste. Hence me asking here...

 

[MaskdDingo]

I read somewhere that some types of lubricant (grease) can damage the plastic. Also, overly oily (greasy) substances can form a mix with shed plastic particles, forming a nice viscous abrasive plastic paste. Hence me asking here...

Yeah I know what you mean. Certain lubes can dissolve certain plastics. The stuff I posted is safe on plastic. In fact, I bought it on a recommendation from a member here about a year ago.

Here is some better info on it: http://www.kpg-industrial.com/resources/literature/tri-flow_brochure.pdf

 

[Deleted member 89059]

Thanks. Need to find a local seller now.
So, general consensus on these things is, no WD-40?

 

[Tom Smith]

What to use on plastic gears???
A product name something like Lubriplate. It is a white paste. It used to come in a pint or maybe it was a half pint. Have seen it lately at the better Hardware Stores in tubes like a toothpaste tube. It WILL NOT harm plastic like an oil or grease WILL. I would not use an oil or grease of any sort.

 

[MaskdDingo]

What to use on plastic gears???
A product name something like Lubriplate. It is a white paste. It used to come in a pint or maybe it was a half pint. Have seen it lately at the better Hardware Stores in tubes like a toothpaste tube. It WILL NOT harm plastic like an oil or grease WILL.

Lubriplate is a brand, not a type of grease. They make a lot of different types of grease. Some are petroleum based... ie: not safe on plastics. Be careful.

I would not use an oil or grease of any sort.

Wait.. didn't you just tell him to use Lubriplate (aka grease)? Or were you suggesting him just leave them gears bare and not to bother with lube at all?

 

[Deleted member 89059]

When I opened the D6C up I saw the gears had some sort of a shiny coating over the edges. That would be the lube. For a 29 years-old machine I doubt this is factory lube.
So should I lube them or not? Do desktop machines all have metal gears and that's why few people replied?

 

[morseguy]

How about General Chemical's "Phono Lube" ? Its a thin, white, synthetic grease advertised for use on "delicate mechanisms and such". I use it all the time on metal parts.
Recently I used it on the plastic dial cord wheels on a receiver. I too was wondering if it will react with the plastic.
On my beloved Kenwood tuner I used a drop of %100 deoxit on the cord wheels since I know it won't hurt plastic.

I heard that grease can make some plastics swell. Ironically I opened my Sony CD player just for the hell of it and see grease on the gears and its never been worked on.

 

[morseguy]

Well I just spent about 20 minutes searching the net and people seem to be using Phonolube on plastic gears on everything from Sony Walkmans, to VCRs, to model railroad stuff.
I'm wrong it GCELECTRONICS not GENERAL CHEMICAL CO.
Also mentioned was a gel type lube sold at RADIOSHACK thats suppose to be plastic safe.

 

[Deleted member 89059]

Nice, nice, nice. Thanks a lot man. Now I'll need to find a local provider...
Whatever lube RatShack sells cannot be found here in The Source (Canada). So.