Lubricating drawers

JonathanRyan

JonathanRyan

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I'm getting mixed up between lithium grease, PTFE spray and good old WD40.

I have 2 separate things I need to do. What products would you recommend for the following? (Preferably something I can just get from Screwfix etc)

1. Kitchen sliding cupboard type thing. It uses heavy duty drawers runners with ball bearings in but the weight in it might be quite a lot (it's a spice cupboard and it's kind of full). Need to degrease a jammed runner and then lube them to make them easier to slide.

2. CHEAP Ikea style drawers. The kind with plastic runners in the carcass and wooden grooves in the drawers so you have bare pine (?) running over plastic. They jam frequently leading to wear on the drawer fronts.
 
I can't help with the spice draw, as for the other draws ,get an old candle and rub it along plastic runners. when I worked in a cabin in a cabinet makers, that was our standard lube.
 
Silicon grease for the first, and as Leroy said, candle for the second.
 
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Malibu and coke - after a pint or 2 of that, the drawers will glide down easily... (The real question has already got the answers that have worked for me.) GT85 is my spray lube of choice over WD40 for metal on metal and I have a can of generic Silicone oil which works a treat on other stuff - I usually squirt it onto a rag or into a jar to release the solvent before applying it to potentially degradable surfaces.
 
Wax on the cheap ikea stuff as suggested, lithium or graphite grease on the stuff with proper bearings.
 
Nod said:
Malibu and coke - after a pint or 2 of that, the drawers will glide down easily... (The real question has already got the answers that have worked for me.) GT85 is my spray lube of choice over WD40 for metal on metal and I have a can of generic Silicone oil which works a treat on other stuff - I usually squirt it onto a rag or into a jar to release the solvent before applying it to potentially degradable surfaces.
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How come you don't get annoyed when folks call drawers draws?
 
Leroy4bz said:
I can't help with the spice draw, as for the other draws ,get an old candle and rub it along plastic runners. when I worked in a cabin in a cabinet makers, that was our standard lube.
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Good advice, apart from calling them draws instead of drawers....Unless you're American of course :p
 
I'm embarrassed to link to my favourite lubricant again...

:cool:
 
I was actually scared to Google up lubricants....

Anyway, thanks all. Spice drawer is relatively fixed - bit of cooker degreaser to take all the gunge off it, water to take off the cooker degreaser and WD40 to take off the water. I'll get some silicon grease next time I'm in Screwfix.

I'll also look for some candles :) Somebody has also recommended 151 Super Grease and apparently the pound shops are full of it.
 
JonathanRyan said:
I'll get some silicon grease next time I'm in Screwfix.

I'll also look for some candles :) Somebody has also recommended 151 Super Grease and apparently the pound shops are full of it.
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A silicone spray or PTFE spray would work well - or even some light oil - 3 in 1 old if you can get at the bearings / runners ...

For the plastic runners / wood - I'd use some wax / a candle as has been suggested.

I would give another vote as @Nod re the GT85 spray - smells nice as well (well much nicer than WD40). Just remember, not to use lots, a little will work and run the drawer in / out several times...
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
How come you don't get annoyed when folks call drawers draws?
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I do - but only mildly since it's an accepted spelling even though it's modern American. Such spellings are usually derived from the English at the time of the pilgrim fathers' departure from this green and pleasant land. Besides, the idea of a draw sliding in and out isn't as amusing as someone coming on a(n allegedly) miserable Scotsman! :P
 
I use light machine oil for the gears and chains of my paternoster, it works just as well on drawer runners, use a rag to apply it, only needs a thin coat.

:)
 
Spice drawer is all fixed :) In other news, WD40 specialist silicone (god, I feel manly just buying that....) is also great for the sticky front door lock and squeaky hinges on the UPVC :)
 
WD40 is awesome in many ways, but having a selection of lubricants can always be considered manly
 
Marcel said:
** Enters thread **

I find Lambrini or vodka works wonders
Fnar.

** Leaves **
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I find some gin and

I had to edit that :eek:
 
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Once down I find it is all a bit like a KFC

Once you have eaten the breast and thigh all you have left is a greasy box to put your bone in
 
You can always eat the bo...

No, that's quite enough of that - now for something completely different.
 
Oh man, each time I look through this section and I see this title...It should be moved to hot topics :P :)
 
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