floydraser Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 I’m sure some of you well travelled people have experience of natural lubricants and I’m hoping you can pass on some wisdom to someone who had a more sheltered upbringing: a friend of mine. This friend’s boat is moored on a floating finger next to where the bridge from terra firma sits (the "bridge" which connects to the fixed jetty). There are two steel plates on the upper side of the finger and the underside of the bridge is wood. My friend was wondering if there is a good lubricant available to stop the finger making a noise during movement? Smell is important: he doesn’t want it to smell like a pair of old lock gates (sorry for swearing on the forum), nor does he want to attract insects like the Hornets which seem to grow to the size of small dogs around Brundall. Any suggestions will be passed on discreetly. Thank you in anticipation. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNog Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 If JM or MM read this they'll have a field day I have some Teflon liquid lubricant (don't ask) but I think its intended for bikes and the like and is supposed to be weather resistant. It has quite a benign smell. It only comes in small bottles, not sure how much would be needed, might be worth a thought. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floydraser Posted June 7, 2019 Author Share Posted June 7, 2019 Thanks Howard, thats a vote for Teflon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaughan Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 Why not try olive oil or sunflower cooking oil? It works well for lubricating toilet pumps. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyMorgan Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 36 minutes ago, NorfolkNog said: If JM or MM read this they'll have a field day I have some Teflon liquid lubricant (don't ask) but I think its intended for bikes and the like and is supposed to be weather resistant. It has quite a benign smell. It only comes in small bottles, not sure how much would be needed, might be worth a thought. Not me, more likely Jayfire surely! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExSurveyor Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 You will need it in spray form to get it in the concealed areas of the hinge. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyMorgan Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 4 minutes ago, psychicsurveyor said: You will need it in spray form to get it in the concealed areas of the hinge. If that's what it's called! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNog Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 11 minutes ago, JennyMorgan said: Not me, more likely Jayfire surely! That's true! How could I forget!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floydraser Posted June 7, 2019 Author Share Posted June 7, 2019 14 minutes ago, psychicsurveyor said: You will need it in spray form to get it in the concealed areas of the hinge. Not sure about that Mark, I think where the hinge is penetrated it stays quiet most of the time. The problem is caused when the finger rubs underneath the bridge. My friend says. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnks34 Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 Im respectfully not participating in this thread, theres a good chance things could get a bit slippery........ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExSurveyor Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 Your friend could try wax, i would slap some grease on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VetChugger Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 Spry crisp and dry??? Was a spray methinks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CambridgeCabby Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 I would have thought a silicon spray would have been ideal for your needs https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F303081768094 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 I have used white Lithium Grease for exterior lubrication of heavy gates etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 I would go with something like duck oil -https://www.espocatalogue.org/eSupply/COSHH/165913.pdf this says it has doesnt meet the classification as an environmental hazard and has penetrative as well as lubricant properties (unlike wd40) but otherwise I would choose a motorcycle chain oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauriceMynah Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 2 hours ago, grendel said: and has penetrative as well as lubricant properties That sounds appropriate 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 Hi JOhn. Were you in The Pleasure Boat on Thursday afternoon? Not sure if it was you so did'nt speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floydraser Posted June 8, 2019 Author Share Posted June 8, 2019 9 hours ago, CambridgeCabby said: I would have thought a silicon spray would have been ideal for your needs https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F303081768094 Thanks for the suggestion. I had a quick look and it contains the magic words, "clean both surfaces" or something like. It's actually great stuff to have around though; it's excellent on plastics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floydraser Posted June 8, 2019 Author Share Posted June 8, 2019 4 hours ago, ChrisB said: I have used white Lithium Grease for exterior lubrication of heavy gates etc. I think thats the stuff to go for unless... my friend has to get some silicone grease for plumbing purposes and if he has to buy a decent quantity it may be worth him squibbing some of that on as a first try. More research says that hornets are attracted to sweet foods and not grease anyway. Not mentioned so far but he is actually concerned that the wrong stuff may instigate deterioration of the wood? My friend intends staying there long enough for it to matter! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauriceMynah Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 1 hour ago, BuffaloBill said: Hi JOhn. Were you in The Pleasure Boat on Thursday afternoon? Not sure if it was you so did'nt speak. Not Thursday but Wednesday I was. I had to come home Thursday so left before it opened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairTmiddlin Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 14 minutes ago, MauriceMynah said: so left before it opened. Is that opposed to never leaving a pub whilst open 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 1 hour ago, floydraser said: he is actually concerned that the wrong stuff may instigate deterioration of the wood? old engine oil is an excellent wood preservative, though it still comes off black on your hands 30 years later, I used some 6" square beams that had been preserved with engine oil, 30 years after they had been laid up, and they did a great job as decking supports, they were still good as new when I took the deck up 10 years later, and are still in my wood pile awaiting further re-use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floydraser Posted June 8, 2019 Author Share Posted June 8, 2019 9 hours ago, grendel said: old engine oil is an excellent wood preservative, though it still comes off black on your hands 30 years later, I used some 6" square beams that had been preserved with engine oil, 30 years after they had been laid up, and they did a great job as decking supports, they were still good as new when I took the deck up 10 years later, and are still in my wood pile awaiting further re-use. Hmm, but do they smell of old lock gates? (aplogies for swearing on the forum). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranworthbreeze Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 9 hours ago, floydraser said: Hmm, but do they smell of old lock gates? (aplogies for swearing on the forum). Nothing wrong with lock gates apart from the ones at Mutford Lock Regards Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floydraser Posted June 17, 2019 Author Share Posted June 17, 2019 Well I think I have found the solution: Grease. Apply to the rear at high tide, then apply to the front at low tide. Result: a quiet night. Thanks for all your helps. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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