21 replies to this topic

[Yazzeh]

Could you use KY Jelly as a plunger lube? Also, is it practical to use WD-40, or would that damage the plastic? But first and foremost... Could I use KY Jelly as a plunger lube without worrying about damaging the plastic? Cause if so, it'd save me searching for silicone sprays.

[Retiate]

Also, is it practical to use WD-40, or would that damage the plastic?

I don't know about that jelly stuff, but WD-40 will not work because it eats rubber.
If that jelly is petroleum based, then it will not work.

[Axelion burnout]

One easy solution is Tamiya Model Grease, all you need to do is go the hobby store and but a little tube, very cheap.

[Yazzeh]

Also, is it practical to use WD-40, or would that damage the plastic?

If that jelly is petroleum based, then it will not work.

It's water-based.

[Forsaken angel24]

Dude, do you know what your parents are using KY jelly for?
If you did I dont think you would be using it or even handling the tube it comes in.

[frost vectron]

I prefer AstroGlide myself.

Edited by frost vectron, 18 May 2007 - 02:11 AM.

[neomike88]

For Rubik's Cubes (those plastic puzzles), I use any type of silicone based lubricant. I think you can find them at your local auto or hardware store. Am assuming it should work the same for nerf. And yep, WD-40 will eat your plastic.

[Yazzeh]

Dude, do you know what your parents are using KY jelly for?
If you did I dont think you would be using it or even handling the tube it comes in.

It's my own, buddy

I'm 18.

[Prometheus]

For Rubik's Cubes (those plastic puzzles), I use any type of silicone based lubricant. I think you can find them at your local auto or hardware store. Am assuming it should work the same for nerf. And yep, WD-40 will eat your plastic.

Yeah, most people use a silicon-based lube, it works best, but is somewhat expensive.

Dude, do you know what your parents are using KY jelly for?
If you did I dont think you would be using it or even handling the tube it comes in.

It's my own, buddy

I'm 18.

Didn't need that kind of info.

[Yazzeh]

Hey, what would you rather imagine? Me handling KY Jelly I randomly found in my house, or me handling KY Jelly that I've bought myself and never used.

Though it's a close call on how sad/disturbing it is, I'd pick the self-bought Jelly.

Anyways, I already know I could use Silicone lube, but I'm asking about KY Jelly in particular. Has no one done it before?

[frost vectron]

I going to guess that since KY is water-based, it is more prone to drying out than other lube types.

The stuff wasn't designed to stick around for more than a couple of hours. It's supposed to dry clean without a trace after it is used... you know.

[Carbon]

Anyways, I already know I could use Silicone lube, but I'm asking about KY Jelly in particular. Has no one done it before?

We'll just leave it at, "yes, I've tried it", and "no, it doesn't work very well".

[Yazzeh]

We'll just leave it at, "yes, I've tried it", and "no, it doesn't work very well".

Hahahaha. Oh man. Thanks Carbon, you started my day with a laugh. Also, thanks for the input. I guess I'll just use it as temporary lube for now and buy some silicone spray today.

[sporkboyofjustice]

On the KY front that's not going to work well since it will dry out and gum stuff up. Then you'll have to clean it out and that's not fun. you can always leave a bit of it out over night on a smooth surface and peel it off the next day. I wouldn't want that in a plunger. Definately use something else.

By the way I haven't used said product for any off label uses but I'm sure if you called the customer service people at KY and told them you've gummed up your plunger it would make their day.

[One Man Clan]

IN all seriousness, it's worth your searching for and finding silicone spray. I think I picked up a can at my local pep boys or autozone a long time ago. Believe me, it's worth the investment, but you should not need it very often.

[WratH]

I know that paintball stores sell lots of silicone based lubricant, and if you need a big tube of it that will last forever get some DOW-55. I use it on my Intimidator marker, and it also works on plungers. It is kind of thick and isn't a spray, but it works.

[Yazzeh]

Ok ok, alright. I went out and got myself a 300 g canister of MotoMaster Silicone Lube.

Seems to work fine.

[Firebird X]

I've recently tried using that Jig-A-Loo stuff as a lubricant for the plunger. I wouldn't recommend it, as it seems to be reacting with either the O-Rings or the Plunger mechanism itself. It is almost eating away at the plastic and leaving little chips of it in the plunger chamber. Even though the Jig-A-Loo isn't petroleum based, I'm not sure it works.

Just a heads up

[SHADOW HUNTER ALPHA]

I've recently tried using that Jig-A-Loo stuff as a lubricant for the plunger. I wouldn't recommend it, as it seems to be reacting with either the O-Rings or the Plunger mechanism itself. It is almost eating away at the plastic and leaving little chips of it in the plunger chamber.

Petroleum/oil based compounds tend to do that to O-rings (although I'm not sure about the brand you have, it could just be certain chemicals or compounds in the liquid that react poorly with plastic and rubber). Just stay with silicon spray and the pulnger should work fine. Also, make sure the plunger and plunger tube are completely clean before you lube it or put it back together, so fragments of plastic/etc. can't start ripping up your O-ring and wreaking havoc with the plunger travel and seal. Not so much a concern with minute particles, but if it's more than about 1mm across or jagged, then remove it.

Edited by SHADOW HUNTER ALPHA, 22 May 2007 - 05:13 PM.

[Firebird X]

Yup, I cleaned out the plunger and everything inside of it as well, which is why I found the results to be so weird. Jig-A-Loo says that it reacts with certain types of plastics, I guess the stuff used in the plunger was one of them. I used the same thing on the trigger mechanism on my longshot so it wouldn't rub up against the little peg that restricts it's movement and it worked fine.

[Jergling]

WD-40 eats plastic.

That would explain why my PVC plunger setup stopped working. I'm gonna go find some Vaseline or something. Oh, wait, petroleum based...

Isn't petroleum the base of plastic though?

[CaptainSlug]

WD-40 IS NOT A LUBRICANT, it's an aggressive degreaser and mild acid with traces of lubricant. It's really only meant for loosening joints that have dried grease and rust prior to cleaning them and then applying a real lubricant. It shouldn't be used with plastics or any kind of rubber.

Petroleum based lubricants too are not to be used with Plastics or any kind of rubber. It will degrade rubber. It will also penetrate and alter the material properties of a wide range of plastics that are not specifically chemical resistant.

Silicone spray lubricant is really the only thing you should be using with plastics.

And that's really all there is to it.

Edited by CaptainSlug, 22 May 2007 - 05:59 PM.