The hinges on my Sterling Jewel '04 are gettig a little stiff and I would like to lubricate them. They are riveted to frame so I can't get the 'spindeles' off to oil the seating. Any advice as to how to lubricate the hinges and what product do I use?
Lubrication of door hinges
- Thread starter Tornirsk
- Start date
Hi Tornirsk,
Some hinges appear to have a nylon insert and I think it is best to stick with a Silicon spray as WD40 can have adverse effects on plastics. It,s fine if the hinge is all metal.
Regards
Jim
Some hinges appear to have a nylon insert and I think it is best to stick with a Silicon spray as WD40 can have adverse effects on plastics. It,s fine if the hinge is all metal.
Regards
Jim
Hang on james,i thought wd 40 was silicone and it doesn't affect plastic or nylon parts when you spray on electrical equipment or dizzy parts on engines
Hi Danny,
I THINK that WD 40 is used to chase water away in those instances not as a lubricant. By the way, Lidl are selling their 'W5 silicon spray' on Mon 9th March at 99p a can.
I buy it a tray at a time whenever it appears.
Wd40 is more of a penetrating oil that has grown to be a spray it everywhere product.
I THINK that WD 40 is used to chase water away in those instances not as a lubricant. By the way, Lidl are selling their 'W5 silicon spray' on Mon 9th March at 99p a can.
I buy it a tray at a time whenever it appears.
Wd40 is more of a penetrating oil that has grown to be a spray it everywhere product.
I was just goona dig a tin out to check..... Cant belive i am discussing w d 40 at 11 40pm sunday night ha ha
Danny
WD40 is a duck oil, not silicon. Whilst it does free up and lubricate metal hinges it has a tendancy to dry out fairly quickly so in a few weeks you can be back where you started. Anything nylon / plastic is best treated with a silicon spray as suggested by James.
There are numerous uses for silicon in the caravan so we always carry a spray can.
Cheers
Dustydog
WD40 is a duck oil, not silicon. Whilst it does free up and lubricate metal hinges it has a tendancy to dry out fairly quickly so in a few weeks you can be back where you started. Anything nylon / plastic is best treated with a silicon spray as suggested by James.
There are numerous uses for silicon in the caravan so we always carry a spray can.
Cheers
Dustydog
Thank you all. I did not realise what a stir my question caused. However It is very difficult to get any lubricant, particularly on the bottom part of the hinge/spindle. My wife recently attended a caravan manouvering course and I went too but to look after the dogs. I did have a chance to ask the intructor for advice. He did come up with the idea of drilling a minute hole in top part of the hinge and than with a small syringe & needle apply a small bit silecone lubricant and then move the door to disperse it. I would like your comments to this suggestion before I start drilling any holes. Thanks.
Damian
Moderator
Firstly regarding WD40.
It is a water dispersant. The name comes from W(water)D(dispersant)and the 40 refers to its life span, 40 days.
It is basically paraffin with a posh smell, but after 40 days it then becomes a water attractant.
Hinges are best treated by removing the black plastic top cap on the hinge and applying 3in1 oil, and moving the door back and forth to work it down the hinge pin.
The plastic hinge covers can be removed by tapping gently upwards witha small flat bladed screwdriver at the round end part where the locating peg is.
If the caps are only the round type, again a small flat bladed driver will ease them up if you are gentle.
It is a water dispersant. The name comes from W(water)D(dispersant)and the 40 refers to its life span, 40 days.
It is basically paraffin with a posh smell, but after 40 days it then becomes a water attractant.
Hinges are best treated by removing the black plastic top cap on the hinge and applying 3in1 oil, and moving the door back and forth to work it down the hinge pin.
The plastic hinge covers can be removed by tapping gently upwards witha small flat bladed screwdriver at the round end part where the locating peg is.
If the caps are only the round type, again a small flat bladed driver will ease them up if you are gentle.
WD40 states on the tin "silicon FREE"
I would not recommend silicon grease/ oil for rubber or plastic, it has in the past had an adverse affect on some rubbers. The toilet seal inparticular, and the water connection "o" rings.
I now use a recommened oil.
I have used silicon grease through work and home for years, it is excellent for smearing over the road light connections to slow down rust etc, i find it difficult to obtain now, but it is excellent for inside the 12s/n plugs and sockets.
Does anybody have a source for silicon grease?
Searched maplin end up with a 200cc can of silicon grease/ptfe, but it will not last long, expensive.
I would not recommend silicon grease/ oil for rubber or plastic, it has in the past had an adverse affect on some rubbers. The toilet seal inparticular, and the water connection "o" rings.
I now use a recommened oil.
I have used silicon grease through work and home for years, it is excellent for smearing over the road light connections to slow down rust etc, i find it difficult to obtain now, but it is excellent for inside the 12s/n plugs and sockets.
Does anybody have a source for silicon grease?
Searched maplin end up with a 200cc can of silicon grease/ptfe, but it will not last long, expensive.
Forgot to mention, always use a wax based furniture polish on door hinges, along with all the hinges in the van, at the end of the season, stops any rust.
Hi Ray
"I would not recommend silicon grease/ oil for rubber or plastic, it has in the past had an adverse affect on some rubbers. The toilet seal inparticular, and the water connection "o" rings.
I now use a recommened oil."
For years I have used Silicon "spray" to lubricate the Thetford toilet seal as per Thetford's own instructions. I've even used Thetford's own silicon spray but at twice the price.
I've never had a problem with degradation of the rubbers.
Is the "silicon grease / oil" you mention something different from the silicon spray? I thought the spray was silicon oil. Maybe I'm thick? Sorry if I have misunderstood.
Cheers
Dustydog
"I would not recommend silicon grease/ oil for rubber or plastic, it has in the past had an adverse affect on some rubbers. The toilet seal inparticular, and the water connection "o" rings.
I now use a recommened oil."
For years I have used Silicon "spray" to lubricate the Thetford toilet seal as per Thetford's own instructions. I've even used Thetford's own silicon spray but at twice the price.
I've never had a problem with degradation of the rubbers.
Is the "silicon grease / oil" you mention something different from the silicon spray? I thought the spray was silicon oil. Maybe I'm thick? Sorry if I have misunderstood.
Cheers
Dustydog
The silicon grease i used on my avondale toilet seal, swelled up , and lost its seal.
It was a M3 product if i recall correctly, and is not a oil, but has the consistancy of Vasline for example, very usefull for packing loadcell connection boxes etc for waterproofing.
It does tend to run a bit when hot. And 12s/12n sockets.
Bailey recommend the Thetford spray, and olive oil for the cap.
But i use the olive oil on the seal, over five years its still good.
It was a M3 product if i recall correctly, and is not a oil, but has the consistancy of Vasline for example, very usefull for packing loadcell connection boxes etc for waterproofing.
It does tend to run a bit when hot. And 12s/12n sockets.
Bailey recommend the Thetford spray, and olive oil for the cap.
But i use the olive oil on the seal, over five years its still good.
Hi there
i allways use furniture polish for hinges, curtain rails etc and it works a treat for me.
Rab.
i allways use furniture polish for hinges, curtain rails etc and it works a treat for me.
Rab.
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