slicking the poles

[lars0926]

I've been using portables, especially the flip-over variety for a number of years now. I'm wondering if a couple of you can tell me if you grease your polls and, if so, why type of grease do you use? (ok, that sounds sort of sick)

My poles tend to lock up in the really cold weather and make collapsing difficult. I know a couple of the mfgs recommend greasing them, but what do I use?

[Dan Thiem]

I've read on this site that people have steel wooled the poles and clean them up good. Then spray silicone.

I just got a new Otter Wilderness package. So I too will be trying out the different ideas that people have used.

[FishPiCkLeS]

I have the same problem. I need to try something as well. Maybe spray graphite? I would guess it would be alot cleaner than grease. I dont want black greasy marks all over my tent fabric. Anyone tried it? Maybe even that spray on Silicon?

Pickle

[Borch]

I know several guys who use car wax. It works pretty well and doesn't create the mess that adding grease or other lubricants does.

Personal I just clean up the poles really well making sure any burs are removed and have had minimal issues.

[lars0926]

Thanks for the suggestions. I just thought of something. There is a dry graphite chain grease that I use for my tri bike. I'm going to give that a try. I get it for like $7 at eric bike shop. I bet that will do the trick and will be much cleaner. Also, thanks for the tip on the steel wool.

[LMITOUT]

More discussion on this....

[MN]

Car Wax - works great - no slimy residue

MN

[mamohr686]

I've used emory cloth or light sandpaper to take the burs off the end of the poles. Make shure to ONLY sand in the direction of the aluminum or you will make them worse by cross sanding. Then I use silicone spray out of an aresol can and cover the poles. I wipe off the excess to prevent them from picking up any dirt and gumming up. It made a huge difference in my old polar sport. You also want to lower the poles evenly to prevent them from binding.

[K9Art]

just my 2 cents, however i would use the car wax. It doesnt gum up in the cold and doenst attract dust/dirt. We have used wax on our al. portable lights with the fire dept and they see all sorts or abuse and still work great. but as everyone else has said clean them first, but i would use steel wool. alot less abrasive and wont rough up the poles as bad.

[hanson]

I have an Otter Den that I've used for 3 winters now. My Otter Lodge is going on its 2nd winter this year. Every year, I take steel wool to the poles and clean them up really well.

I think that is really all you need. I did put a light coat of Spray Silicone (available at Menards and other hardware stores) on the poles this year. I've used WD-40 in the past and wasn't impressed with the WD at all.

[Steve Foss]

When you lube poles, use a dry lube like graphite powder or a dry spray-on lube. If it's a wet lube, it'll work for awhile but will attract all the dust and grit for miles around, and you'll be all gummed up in no time.

[harvey lee]

Also use steel wool and spray on silicone and had very good luck,poles slide great.

[ICEKING-2003]

Where would I get graphite powder? That sounds like it would work the best? Thanks

[Dan Thiem]

I'm wondering if the powder could get wet from humidity. We use the graphite powder in our planter and that stuff makes everthing really black. But I gotta says it definatley some slippery stuff.

I would think the idea would be to wipe off the excess and maybe the residue left behind would be enough.

I am going to try a bit of experimenting this winter and I'll see what works best for me. Probably the old "six of one, half a dozen of the other" thing going on.

[BAKERMAN]

Try the spray they use on garage door hardware...sold at menards, etc...it is formulated to handle cold weather and not get sticky or messy..use it sparingly does not take much