Here's some good lube I found...

[nbp]

I stopped at Cabela's and went to the camping area where they sell all the flashlights and such, and I was looking for some thread lube for my flashlights. The guys in that department were not very helpful (i.e. "I've never seen anything like that in camping!") So I suggested to them that I might look in the fishing area for some reel lube. They concurred. I picked up some Abu Garcia synthetic reel lube. I tried it out, and it really seems pretty nice. It's thick enough to not drip off, but not gloopy, and it is very slick. Seems like an easy thing to find too. Just sharing an idea with you all. (I hope I made a good choice with the reel lube, and it doesn't end up messing up anything. We'll see. )

 

[adamlau]

The key to determining appropriate thread and o-ring lubricants involve disseminating their product specification and MSDS documents.

 

[jzmtl]

Read the first aid warning section, make sure it doesn't have any petroleum product.

 

[roymail]

I've got some and thought about doing the same thing. It should work fine.

 

[Hitthespot]

 

[Beastmaster]

I use teflon tape. 99 cents for a roll lasts me oodles of flashlights.

-Steve

 

[precisionworks]

teflon tape

That's a good idea. Plus, it eliminates or reduces thread to thread contact, which should lead to longer thread life.

 

[ToeMoss]

Read the first aid warning section, make sure it doesn't have any petroleum product.

Why should thread lube not have petroleum product?

 

[Thujone]

Can eat some rings..

 

[BassClefJeff84]

I use teflon tape. 99 cents for a roll lasts me oodles of flashlights.

-Steve

Word of advice... not all teflon tape is true teflon. The name brand stuff is the way to go. I like "Oatey" tape.

 

[nbp]

This stuff seems to be working very nicely. I tried it out on a couple of my lights. It comes in a little squeeze tube, and is easy to apply and smooth out, without squishing out when I rethread the tail or bezel. Parts move very nicely; though I suppose that isn't a surprise, since it was designed for fishing reels which need to move very smoothly. So far, so good. Here's what the tube looks like.

http://www.abu-garcia.com/prod.php?k=78588&sk=78587&p=PUR65005 (1016493)

 

[Khaytsus]

Let us know how long batteries last now if your lights are regulated...

Putting any random lube on a light is a bad idea, from damaging orings to sacrificing conductivity.

 

[DM51]

nbp, you found this stuff, so perhaps you could do some research on it to help us here.

I looked on that website yesterday when I first saw this thread, and I couldn't find any specs or details of what was in this lube. It mentions 'teflon' and 'silicote grease', without being specific about what 'silicote' is. It does not mention any other ingredients, and we need to know what these are.

As it is made specifically for fishing reels, I would say this is a very promising sign, however we must know whether or not it contains any petroleum products.

As others mention above, if it does, then this lube cannot be recommended, as petroleum products (vaseline etc) will eat away at some materials used in O-rings, leading to failure of the light, which for some users (firefighters, LEOs, divers, and others) could be fatal.

Until we know more, people should be advised to use good quality silicone grease only, such as Nyogel, or the stuff obtainable in small tubes from all dive shops.

It would be good if you could find out more about the ingredients of this lube, as you started the thread. The specs must be available somewhere.

 

[jzmtl]

If it has petroleum products, they'll say it in first aid section, (hopefully) they won't goof off there.

 

[roymail]

What's the stuff called at Radio Shack that some people use as a flashlight lube? :thinking: Thanks!

 

[DM51]

What's the stuff called at Radio Shack that some people use as a flashlight lube? :thinking: Thanks!

It is called a number of things, many of them highly uncomplimentary. But that is irrelevant. This thread is about the Abu Garcia stuff.

 

[roymail]

DM51, what the hell kind of answer is that? I already have some reel lube and it seems to work OK (as I already posted). Just thought I'd ask about the RS stuff... lighten up! :shakehead

 

[coldass]

Try Prep M:

Used for Bicycle suspension. Does not effect the seals - and o-rings used (I have used it for years with no effect on plastics or rubber). Hayes owns the brand, Motorex makes it, any quality bike store will sell it.

 

[roymail]

coldass, thanks for the suggestion. I'll look into it although we don't have a bike store here. Appreciate it.

 

[DM51]

Lighten up? Maybe what I said was a bit too light. Please keep the thread on topic.