Current consensus on lubing the steel

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 7 Sep 2012 9:19 am

What is THE lube to use nowadays on your pedal steel?
A search brought so many conflicting recommendations that I decided to ask, once again...
I`ve been using trumpet/trombone valve oil really sparingly for quite awhile, but since I now have a newish steel I haven`t lubed yet I`m ready to start fresh..

Thanks,

Olli

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 7 Sep 2012 10:22 am

Olli, I have been using the Tri-Flo like most people have been using but after trying others and deliberately keeping my steel in a dusty dirty environment I find there is not much difference in performance. So the steel I am putting together now is getting lubed throughout with a small amount of Jet turbine oil(Mickey Adams' recommendation)
Works great!
After 2 years in the shop environment, my steel works as nice as ever..and no lubing for 2 years.

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 7 Sep 2012 10:40 am

I have found that some brand new steels play a lot smoother after getting thoroughly lubed. My take on this:

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Lubricate/Lubricate.html

Greg

Pit Lenz · Post by **Pit Lenz** » 7 Sep 2012 1:12 pm

Olli, here's another vote for TriFlow!
Had trouble finding it in a local bike shop (Germany) like in the US, but it can easily be purchased through an online shop.
I have the impression that my Sho~Bud plays a lot smoother now than before when I lubed it with regular gun oil...

just my 0.2€

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 7 Sep 2012 2:12 pm

Oil, any good "machine grade". (I prefer sewing machine or gun oil.) It migrates far better than dry lubes, and also helps prevent rust and corrosion.

I've yet to find a single automotive manufacturer that recommends teflon based oils, or additives. Maybe they know something the Tri-Flow users don't?

Mickey Adams · Post by **Mickey Adams** » 7 Sep 2012 3:49 pm

3 years now using Exxon 2380, or MobilJet II synthetic Jet engine oils...Migrate quickly, stays put...No gum...ever...

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 7 Sep 2012 4:54 pm

PTFE/Tri-Flow is an excellent lube if used in the right application! It's not used in automotive apps because it has a tendency to clog small passages. For example it will reduce the oil pressure by accumulating and clogging the small oil passages in the oil filter. But it is awesome on pedal steels, cables and many other apps where you want the slickest lube possible.

A typical take on PTFE for automotive apps is the following discussion:

http://www.skepdic.com/slick50.html

My guitar is as smooth as silk after 3 years after using Tri-Flow.

Greg

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 7 Sep 2012 7:46 pm

Mickey Adams wrote:3 years now using Exxon 2380, or MobilJet II synthetic Jet engine oils...Migrate quickly, stays put...No gum...ever...

Agree on all points, Mickey.

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 8 Sep 2012 1:04 am

Tri-Flow is good and I've used it before but for me personally, I just like the Remington Gun Oil w/Teflon. A few drops on roller nuts, changer fingers and other moving parts, does the trick for me. Each string changing event and my Williams gets lubed.

Bob Metzger · Post by **Bob Metzger** » 8 Sep 2012 7:33 am

I'm a recent Tri-Flow Superior convert and my new zeal would lead me to say it is well named.

Bob M.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 8 Sep 2012 8:57 am

I think the consensus is, there is no consensus.

I've used PTFE (Tri-Flow) for many, many years with great results.

Gibson Hartwell · Post by **Gibson Hartwell** » 10 Sep 2012 3:54 am

I like this one that Bill Rudolph and his son sell. The needle is handy for getting the oil just where you want it.

http://williamsguitarcompany.com/store_accessories.html

The Steel Guitar Forum

Current consensus on lubing the steel

Current consensus on lubing the steel

psg

Another thumbs up for Tri-Flow...

Williams needle oiler