I understand the sunroof tracks get gritty and cause the plastic parts to break down. What is the best way to protect the sunroof tracks?
Vaseline? WD 40?
I seem to recall years ago that WD 40 and plastic/nylon did not like each other, is that correct?
Alan

 

Hi Alan,

Yes, WD40 is petroleum based and many plastics and rubbers can be damaged over time by petroleum products. According to the WD40 website, "Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastics are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD40." That doesn't sound too bad, until you begin to count all the things on a car that are made of polycarbonate (chrome-plated plastic trim, headlamp lenses, etc.) and polystyrene (virtually any other plastic part in the car!).

Lithium-based grease is safe for most plastics and rubbers so that's what I would recommend. Castrol LMX general-purpose lithium grease is excellent if you can find it, but you may be able to find another good lithium-based wheel bearing grease at your local auto parts store that will work just fine.

Cheers,

Don

 

I use this product http://http://www2.dupont.com/Consum...lubricant.html
But they have altered the formula so will be using this from now on http://http://www2.dupont.com/Consum...ain_saver.html sets up wet ends up dry

 

Stay away from Vaseline as well, also petroleum based. I used it on a flight sim controller once and it ate the plastic parts up in a month.

 

Hi Doc,

I was very interested to view the products you reference, but I can't get the links to work. I tried deleting one set of http://, then both sets and finally got to a Dupont page, but no product was shown. Can you help? I'd love to know what you use.

Cheers,

Don

 

I should have also added in my post that WD40 is actually not a very good lubricant. The WD stands for "Water Displacement," and the trace of petroleum oil it leaves behind to displace water tends to not provide much lubricity. If you use it on a squeaking door hinge, the hinge will be squeaking again in a month.

Lithium grease is safer for plastics (and probably rubbers as well);

Dielectric grease is better for water displacement;

Liquid Wrench is better as a penetrant / rust breaker;

Zero-Residue Electrical Contact Cleaner won't leave behind an oily film that can add resistance to sensitive circuits like those for MAFS, O2 sensors and Throttle Position Sensors;

Aluminum Cleaning & Polishing Paste is better for cleaning and protecting bare aluminum, with its long-lasting wax finish;

So my question is this: WHAT GOOD IS WD40 ANYMORE????

:-)

Cheers,

Don

 

Emergency spray into distributor caps after they get wet at the car wash!



Back in the day I washed the engine of an 80's XJ6....big mistake. That thing refused to start for about a month.

 

So does anyone have a product name for a spray can of a lithium based grease I can use safely on my sunroof tracks?
Alan

 

Alan,

Several companies offer White Lithium Grease in a spray can, including CRC, 3M, Sprayon, and even....drum roll...WD40 (be sure it's their White Lithium Grease and not standard WD40). If you think you can reach enough of the tracks with a small brush, you can buy lithium grease in a tube or can and have more control over application. You can buy spray cans, tubes or cans/tubs at any auto parts store, Walmart's auto department, etc.

Don

 

While researching for another thread I came across this interesting short article at the Popular Mechanics website, entitled, "WD40 vs. The World."

WD-40 Oil Alternatives - The Case Against WD-40 - Popular Mechanics

Cheers,

Don

 

Personally I'm a big fan of silicone grease for anything connected with rubber. I've just reread that sentence and I'm not sure it came out the way it was intended. You get my meaning I guess.

 

:-)

Yes, silicone grease would probably be fine for the sunroof tracks. Typical cautions about contact with painted surfaces.

Cheers,

Don

 

+1 using grease on sunroof tracks.

 

I was using my I pad which I absolutely hate and damn Microsoft is now forcing me to upgrade to a new operating system so I am basically back to where I was 8 years ago when I bought my first computer thanks Microsoft

I have tried to attach the links again

This is the original DuPont product I was using
DuPont? Teflon® Multi-Use Lubricant I use it literally on everything it was hard to get here in Australia

I had to get in contact with DuPont then they they pointed me to a local reseller he had no idea what it was and had to order it in for me
I thought I'll just buy a carton should last me the rest of my life or so I thought I am down to my last can LOL

I bought the original carton back in 05 after reading the page I noticed they changed the formula next time I probably will go for this product DuPont? Teflon® Chain-Saver Lubricant its the same formula as the original just different name

Hopefully it comes through this time

 

I wish someone took better care of my sunroof before i got it. I put lithium grease on it a few years ago fir the first time after noticing degradation of the plastic track. Late last year, as the sunroof was closing, the track gave way. Popping and grinding, it jammed into a halfway closed position. I haven't yet replaced it. I'm searching for a used replacement. In the mean time, I had to break it even worse to get it closed. I have it jammed in place in its closed position. If someone perhaps has a old one sitting around for some reason, let me know.

 

I've used a product called Wurth HHS-2000 for years on my Audi sunroof, and have had great results. I think Wurth may have replaced it with HHS-K. Used to be available on

 

According to TSB 13-30, Jaguar updated the grease recommended for servicing the sunroof cables.

The new 13-30 specs "Molykote 111" in a 100g tube. The Jaguar part number is "J LM 12068"

I looked up "Molykote 111" and it appears to be a silicone lubricant.

MOLYKOTE® 111 COMPOUND