Lubrication for Sinar P?

[bensonga]

Hi folks,

I just purchased and received the Sinar P (4x5) which Robert Fisher sold here in May to another forum member. The camera is indeed in beautiful condition, just as Robert and Don said. It is nonetheless, 23+ years old. I can see what appears to be a brownish residue on the white serrated gear parts which I'm guessing may be old, dried grease/lubricant. While all of the movements are smooth, some are perhaps a bit stiffer than ideal. So I am thinking about cleaning off the dried up grease and applying a VERY LIGHT coating of lubricant. Does anyone have suggestions on what type of lubricant would be best for this camera/use?

I'm really looking forward to getting out and using the Sinar....it's a beauty!

Thanks in advance,

Gary Benson
Eagle River, Alaska

[Archphoto]

Congrad's with your Sinar, the camera will last you a life time !

Grease: a lithium based synthetic grease.
Oil (but not for the part you describe) a synthetic clock-oil.

Available at www.micro-tools.com

If you live near an airport and are friendly with the aircraft maintenance people ask them for Mobil Grease 28 or Mobilith SHC 460.
That grease lasts for at least 10 years and it safe for both the nylon as the aluminium.

Peter

[Sevo]

Mid viscosity silicone grease, for use on plastics. I use the stuff left over from Saeco espresso machine maintenance kits, as I wear out two espresso machine seals per tube of grease, so that I end up with a free 5-10g each year. It is food-safe (which some white lithium greases positively aren't), and given its purpose it must be very safe on PE, ABS and synthetic rubber in a hot and aggressive environment, while the degree of plastics compatibility is unspecified for many other more easily obtainable silicone greases.

Sevo

[Jim Michael]

There is a comment in the Sinar maintenance manual that oil should be applied with a brush, not dispensed from an oil can.

Aircraft Spruce has the grease that Peter mentioned http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...ilGrease28.php

[Ken Lee]

Thanks a ton ! Mine old Sinar P needs a little lubrication.

[Mark Woods]

So does mine! Thanks guys.

MW

[Archphoto]

Apply with a brush and/or put it onto a surringe with a thick needle to get it where you want it.
I have been using Mobil Grease 28 since 1980.
It can be used for tripods, threads, nearly everywhere exept for the foodstuff.

Peter

[bensonga]

Mid viscosity silicone grease, for use on plastics.
Sevo

I wonder if something like the Abu Garcia Reel Lube (silicone grease with PTFE) would be safe to use. It's used to lubricate the gears of fishing reels, many of which include white plastic gear wheels which look alot like the material used in the Sinar. Much easier for me to find locally....and a small one oz. tube only costs $1.99.

Gary
Alaska

[Archphoto]

It is a thought.....
Mind you that Abu is used inside a reel, this would be applied to a part that is in the open air, I am thinking about aging here.....
I would give it a try !

Peter

[Sevo]

I wonder if something like the Abu Garcia Reel Lube (silicone grease with PTFE) would be safe to use. It's used to lubricate the gears of fishing reels, many of which include white plastic gear wheels which look alot like the material used in the Sinar.

Anything intended for Nylon gears inside ABS and aluminium casings is bound to be sinar safe, the sinars being made from nothing else. I'd expect fishing reel lube to be pretty generally modern camera safe - but watch out, old (or retro) cameras are very different, don't use silicone greases near wood, leather and celluloid.

Sevo