Lens Lube Suggestions?

[MinorTones]

I'm looking for something to re-lube my 90/4 LTM Elmar, and something to clean out the old grease.

Any Suggestions?

-Mitch

 

[MinorTones]

After searching the forums I came up with lighter fluid to clean out the old grease. Is that a good suggestion?

As far as lube goes I saw silicon lube mentioned a couple of times to help with focusing stiffnes problems.

Any help?

-Mitch

 

[pshinkaw]

Assuming that you are going to dismantle the lens and not soak the lens elements in solvent, Ronsonal Lighter fluid is a good choice. Actually denatured alcohol usually works fine without the irritating fumes. I usually try it first.

I use a white silicon grease called GC. I got it an electronics/computer components store. It is supposed to have minimal out-gassing.

-Paul

 

[Kim Coxon]

Providing I can get the elements out, all the metal bits go in a jar of de-greaser. Much better than a solvent and quicker. Bike stores are usually a good place to pick some up.

I use Mobilgrease 28 which is a red silicone based grease for the aviation industry but any good purely synthetic grease should be OK. Don't use a graphite based one unless you want some resistance. This can be quite useful for the diapraghm rings on such as the J8.

Kim

 

[pshinkaw]

Oops! Wrong description.

GC is a brand name of various electronic related supplies. I use their white "lithium" grease, not the "silicon grease".

There is a clear gel grease sold by Radio Shack. It is also made for electronics (low volatility) but it is very dense. I do not use it on lenses unless I need a packing grease to take up excess play. I tried it once on a Jupiter-8 and it was just too hard to focus after that. I cleaned it up and went back to the lithium.

Product choices can vary quite a bit depending on whether you are in the US or in Europe. Sometimes the same product has different names, and sometimes they are just unobtainable.

GC products catalog is here:

http://www.gcwaldom.com/catalog.html

-Paul

 

[MinorTones]

I'm just looking to relube the outer aperature selection ring, not the actual aperature blades.

The ring was moving the focus when I adjusted the aperature.


-Mitch

 

[Kim Coxon]

You must never put any lubricant near the blades themselves!!!!!!!!!!!
I would use a lithium grease on the aperture selector but you may find it just needs a clean. Use silicon based grease on the helix.

Kim

I'm just looking to relube the outer aperature selection ring, not the actual aperature blades.

The ring was moving the focus when I adjusted the aperature.


-Mitch

 

[john neal]

..... I use Mobilgrease 28 which is a red silicone based grease for the aviation industry......Kim

Hmm, all those Hawks going without their grease - doesn't bear thinking about 😛

 

[SteveM_NJ]

"Hmm, all those Hawks going without their grease"

I'd have to guess you mean C 172 - right?

out of the 4-5 thousand RFF members, any clue what percentage have their "ticket". ( I have from '88, picked up a C172M back then too.

Steve.

 

[john neal]

"Hmm, all those Hawks going without their grease"

Er, no, actually - I meant all those RAF Hawk jet trainers. Of course, I could be referring to the baby pilots therein! (Ask Kim about his day job).

 

[Kim Coxon]

I haven't had a go in a Hawk for a long time!

Kim

 

[john neal]

What are you driving these days, Kim?

 

[Kim Coxon]

The plastic pig otherwise known as the Grob Tutor

Kim

 

[john neal]

Hmm, looks neat and quite slippery - how does it compare to a Toucan, sorry, Tucano - must have been thinking about Guinness then (yes, I am that old).

I have never been in anything too modern - started in a Chippie and ended in a Bulldog with plenty of trips in a Sedbergh for good measure (v cold above 5000ft!!).