Lube the technika rails?

[caleb]

what to use on the rails of the technika? the front standard could move a little smoother upon deployment?
What are you all using?

thanks!

[Frank Petronio]

a dry wax-based bicycle lube

[anchored]

After trying several other products, I've settled on Vaseline lightly applied with a Q-Tip.

[Bob Salomon]

252 652 4401, ask Marflex and get the factory's recommendation. You will be much happier in the long run.

[caleb]

thanks everybody, I'll give that number a try Bob. I am leery of the vaseline, I am headed off to the mid-east for 3 weeks of shooting and that just seems like a sand and dust magnet to me.

[anchored]

Caleb -

Why call Marflex long distance when the answer is clearly printed in the manual that came with the camera? To save you the charge of a long distance call:

From the Linhof Master Technika manual (Page 3):

"Keep gliding parts, such as upper track, always absolutely clean. You may apply a very thin film of chemically pure vaseline to the upper track. Under no circumstances should oil be used."

Please note "very thin film" ...don't glob it on. As for being a dust magnet..... no it's not. I recently returned from two weeks in Capitol Reef, shooting in high winds with blowing dust. The vaseline coating did not create any problem at all... but yes, I did clean and reapply vaseline to the rails upon the completion of my shoot due to the conditions.

If you don't have a manual with your camera it might be a good idea to get one.

Glenn

[Lee Christopher]

Would a dry lube like molybdenum disulfide work?

Moly Lube™ Dry Film Lubricant
A dry film lubricant designed to lubricate and penetrate, forming a smooth, extremely slippery surface on metal. Molybdenum disulfide particles are deposited onto metal surfaces and give maximum lubricity and wear resistance, even under extreme temperatures and pressures. Won't attract and hold dust, dirt or other contaminants! Easy-to-use MOLY LUBE Dry Film Lubricant uses an almost instant-drying solvent/degreaser as the carrier in a convenient, aerosol can. Especially suited for internal lubrication of moving parts on all firearms. Recommended for precision airguns where petroleum lubricants are not advised.


Product # Description Price Order
40131 -MOS2 Moly Lube™ Dry Film Lubricant - 4 oz Aerosol $9.30

http://www.birchwoodcasey.com/sport/index.html

[Peter K]

As Glen mentioned before use only a thin film of vaseline. And never an aerosol. Also no oil because the break for the front standard will also be slippery too.

[rknewcomb]

A thin coat of vaseline is the correct stuff.
Robert

[Kirk Gittings]

At least in the SW, any Vaseline acts lie a dirt magnet. I used to use it on rail and wooden field cameras. Cameras and bicycle chains have similar problems in dirty environments, greasy and oily lubricants attract dust and dirt. Some years ago as an avid mountain biker, I started experimenting with the then new wax based bicycle chain lubricants such as Pedro's Ice wax. These lubricate fine but are not sticky and don't capture dirt. It is wax in a solution. When the solvent base evaporates it leaves behind a very thin coating of dried wax. It works absolutely superb. A small bottle will last a lifetime. I wouldn't use anything else at this point after years of testing.