Sunroof lubrication

[Richardson Masten]

Between myself and another chap, the sunroof on my Windovers 4 1/4 is about to be upholstered and reinstalled. What is the "best" lubricant for the tracks, both those over the driver and those holding the sunroof at the rear?

[John Murch]

I suspect that oil or grease might be best avoided, so what about a silicon spray?
John

[Richardson Masten]

I've had the same thing in mind for the rear supports which run on an enclosed track. Candle wax has been recommended for the front, opening portion.

[Philip Edginton]

I found on various sunroofs that I have had to re-ajust( ha ha),
that a fine oil( 3 in 1) is better than a grease or thick lubricant, dirt and dust clings less to oil. Candle wax, maybe, never tried that, except I wonder if that would grow hard with age.

[Richardson Masten]

Candle wax. Last week I tried it on a "Phantom" screen door with tracks similar to those on my sunroof. Thus far the screen door slides perfectly with no binding as I open or close it.

[Robert Craven]

If wax is the answer, then you can get sticks of wax specially made for lubrication purposes. Or maybe graphite would work. Try googling "wax stick lock lubricant".
If silicon is the answer, then in addition to silicon sprays, you can get jars of silicon grease from plumbing merchants.

[Christopher Carnley]

"Silicone", silicon is an element.

[John Murch]

Thanks Christopher, that got me researching what silicone is, all very interesting.

[Christopher Carnley]

See Frederick Kipping, Nottingham University, when from 1897 he did most of the pioneering work, and coined the term "silicone".
His first preparations he termed " a dull brown, uninteresting rubbery substance".

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