What do you use for general lubrication?

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GAHorn
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What do you use for general lubrication?

Post by GAHorn »

What do you use for general lubrication on your airplane for such things as flight control bearings, hinges, flap rollers, trim-chains, etc etc?

While the lubrication chart shown in the Service Manual, Sec 2-10, Fig 2-4 indicate that Mil specs given are not mandatory... the "oil can" lubricant recommended meets Mil 7870 gen purpose oil. Mil 7870 includes additives for anti-oxidant and anti-corrosion which are not included in the most common lubricant most owners/A&Ps use... LPS-1 or LPS-2. Although LPS-1 is a very (extremely) light aerosol oil... it does not meet Mil 7870, and makes no claims as to anti-corrosion.

There is a product which does. It is Aeroshell 3, available from Aircraft Spruce. I have a 1-qt ca (Royco brand) that has lasted me almost 15 years but now I'm down to my last few ounces. Spruce only sells it in 1-gal cans, for $36. Adding the freight makes it ridiculous..more than $50.
Sure wish Aviation Oil carried it. :(

(In a curiously related matter... the stuff is also specified for certain first-generation jet engines such as Turbomeca, Artouste, Turmo, Bastan and Marbore engines. If anyone knows someone running one of those.... perhaps you might inquire about obtaining a quart from their 55-gal drum?)
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
hilltop170
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Re: What do you use for general lubrication?

Post by hilltop170 »

I use Corrosion-X or ACF-50 depending on what is in the cabinet. Both give excellent lubrication and excellent corrosion prevention.

I had a respected gunsmith tell me he always used straight 10w Chevron motor oil for all lube and corrosion protection.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
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n2582d
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Re: What do you use for general lubrication?

Post by n2582d »

Gary
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GAHorn
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Re: What do you use for general lubrication?

Post by GAHorn »

Well... Zip Chem equates to $70/gal.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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n2582d
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Re: What do you use for general lubrication?

Post by n2582d »

I figure that can costs closer to $133.65/gal. not including shipping costs. One poster on Beechtalk.com claims that Zip-Chem just repackages Royco 363 in an aerosol can to come up with D-5261NS. Royce 363 is available for around $40/gal or $17/qt. Castrol Brayco 363 is another lubricant that meets MIL-PRF-7870. You're right, especially with the price of shipping, this stuff is expensive -- although it’s similar to Corrosion X at $1.00/oz. or ACF-50 at $1.23/oz from Spruce. Corrosion X advertises itself as a lubricant where ACF 50 does not.
Last edited by n2582d on Thu Jan 11, 2018 7:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Gary
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GAHorn
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Re: What do you use for general lubrication?

Post by GAHorn »

n2582d wrote:I figure that can costs closer to $133.65/gal. not including shipping costs. One poster on Beechtalk.com claims that Zip-Chem just repackages Royco 363 in an aerosol can to come up with D-5261NS. Royce 363 is available for around $40/gal or $17/qt. Castrol Brayco 363 is another lubricant that meets MIL-PRF-7870. You're right, especially with the price of shipping, this stuff is expensive -- although it’s similar to Corrosion X at $1.00/oz. or ACF-50 at $1.23/oz from Spruce. Corrosion X advertises itself as a lubricant where ACF 50 does not.
THIS:
Rechargeable Aerosol bottle
Rechargeable Aerosol bottle
71vfKcz4aiL._AC_UL115_.jpg (2.51 KiB) Viewed 22465 times
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009I ... UTF8&psc=1

Plus THIS:
Flexible Soda Straw for Aerosols
Flexible Soda Straw for Aerosols
61KB6TLBDWL._AC_UL115_.jpg (4.1 KiB) Viewed 22465 times
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AR ... UTF8&psc=1

Makes any oil you like into an aerosol easy to put where you want it.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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MoonlightVFR
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Re: What do you use for general lubrication?

Post by MoonlightVFR »

10 wt Straight Motor Oil.

O Reilly Auto Parts stocks it, However it is such a small niche seller they keep stock in back room never on display shelf. Ask the clerk. They will know.

So why does any one stock 10 Wt motor oil.

Several reasons were cited. Cannot remember most.

I think RYROBI 4 Cycle weed wacker was mentioned.

I like it for general lube. Wish it was able to put in aerosal container.
gradyb, '54 B N2890C
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nippaero
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Re: What do you use for general lubrication?

Post by nippaero »

ACF-50 and NAPA Powerlube
1952 170B
N8180A s/n 25032
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dunlaps3
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Re: What do you use for general lubrication?

Post by dunlaps3 »

I know we all have our options, I have tried everything that was mentioned and more. Then 20 years ago I tried JB-80.
It has no equal! :D
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wingnut
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Re: What do you use for general lubrication?

Post by wingnut »

I really miss blueldr. I'm certain his answer to the thread title would be a water soluble product :lol: Then......he wouldn't stop there; he'd shame George for not having a case of it on his nightstand :wink:
Del Lehmann
Mena, Arkansas
hilltop170
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Re: What do you use for general lubrication?

Post by hilltop170 »

And he would only buy it at Pep Boys!
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
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wingnut
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Re: What do you use for general lubrication?

Post by wingnut »

Proudly displayed in the wire basket mounted on the Vespa
Del Lehmann
Mena, Arkansas
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GAHorn
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Re: What do you use for general lubrication?

Post by GAHorn »

wingnut wrote:I really miss blueldr. I'm certain his answer to the thread title would be a water soluble product :lol: Then......he wouldn't stop there; he'd shame George for not having a case of it on his nightstand :wink:
It destroys latex and goat-intestines, tho'.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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