ABS, PLA best compatible lubrications.

[Flateric]

I have alot of prints with moving parts. I was wondering if anyone else has experiemted with different lubrications for plastic-ON-plastic parts?

I have tried a few.

WD-40 - God awful and generally I do not encourage it's use on ANYTHING. It is more of a solvant based cleaner than fitting well into the lubrication definition.
CandleWax - The type that is fairly soft at room temps. It seemed to be a decent choice and did not seem to react with the plastics (PLA or ABS)
Moovit - I am uncertain of it's long term affect on plastic. I think it is harmful. Great for parts as they move, but not so great overcomming the initial "stick" of plastic before letting go and moving.
Lithium Grease - Untested, supposed to be non-reactive.
Automotive Grade Silicon spray (not grease) - seemed to be entirely useless. Perhaps even counter productive to lubrication.
ID Millenium Glide Silicon lubricant - Yes, that type, bought at adult type stores. NOT THE WATER BASED VARIANT! I was hesitant to list it here, however it is by far the best I have tested so far. PLA-TO-PLA it elminated almost all start stick and movement was dramatically improve and seem to prevent the plastic from heating and therefor melting and seizing up. It however will leave a slippery coating on anything and can only be removed with soap and water.
Graphite dust - Worked nearly as well as the above but has the unfortunate side affect of being a black messy powder that get onto everything and is difficult to remove from every little crack and scratch in your plastic. Ruining it color with dirty dust. For interior moving components never to be seen, sealed gearbox for instance it may be the optimal choice so far however.

Please feel free to contribute anything you may have tested.

[Broose]

Have you tried Super Lube PTFE synthetic grease?

[Flateric]

Nope have you, care to review it if so?

[Broose]

Re: Super Lube PTFE synthetic grease
I have not tried it lubricating printed parts but have used it on other plastic parts including lubricating the stock arms on the Rostock Max. What I like is that it stays in the part and doesn't come off quickly with use.

They say it has excellent compatibility with ABS (http://www.super-lube.com/rubbers-and-p ... p-223.html)

From Super-Lube Web Site:
Silicone Lubricating Grease with Syncolon® (PTFE) has a wider operating range than petroleum based lubricants; Excellent water protection and moisture barrier. Use on Plastic gears, plastic threads, as a damping medium for Dash Pots, lubricate O-Rings, electrical motor bearings and rubber components.

http://www.amazon.com/Synthetic-Grease- ... uto_text_y

[kbob]

ID Millenium Glide Silicon lubricant - Yes, that type, bought at adult type stores. NOT THE WATER BASED VARIANT! I was hesitant to list it here...

Your circumspect hesitation is clashing with your throbbing purple avatar. (-:

[Flateric]

[quote="Flateric"
ID Millenium Glide Silicon lubricant - Yes, that type, bought at adult type stores. NOT THE WATER BASED VARIANT! I was hesitant to list it here...

Your circumspect hesitation is clashing with your throbbing purple avatar. (-:[/quote]

Yes but still slightly better than the avatar that I have put off using simply because of this....don't you think!

LOL

228152_296_avatar.gif (28.82 KiB) Viewed 19996 times

[Batteau62]

I've used "Dry White-Teflon with cling" (same stuff used on pinewood derby cars) with great success on planetary gear/bearing print. It's a little messy, but it's pretty safe stuff with no solvents.

[tom10122]

Nope have you, care to review it if so?

I have reviewed it a while ago, it leaves a black ptfe protective coating and works pretty good.