Sanding cube made it worse?

[Musje]

Hello,

I have recently seen a video on youtube about how sanding all sides of each cubie actually makes storebought cubes better.

I tried this out, cleaned all dust and relubed it.
However, now it has this "grind" feeling and it isn't as fast anymore.

I lubed it with vaseline but I don't think this is the problem because it was lubed with the same vaseline before (same brand that is)

I already ordered a DIY from C4Y but that's taking a few weeks before it will arrive.

Thanks already for any help

EDIT//
I used a nail file (pretty fine one) to sand it down.
Don't know what grid it would be as sandpaper (neither do I have high grid sandpaper available atm)

As for the question (kind of forgot that )
Is there any way to make it better again?

 

[IamWEB]

2 Things:

1) Whether it previously presented a problem or not, don't lube with vaseline. It will eventually take it's toll, this still could be the problem.

2) You didn't ask anything!

Clean out the cube again, and use it as is until your order arrives. Does it suck without lube after sanding?

 

[Musje]

2 Things:

1) Whether it previously presented a problem or not, don't lube with vaseline. It will eventually take it's toll, this still could be the problem.

2) You didn't ask anything!

Clean out the cube again, and use it as is until your order arrives. Does it suck without lube after sanding?

I'll clean out the cube again, it doesn't make much difference lubed or not at the moment.

 

[IamWEB]

When did you order from C4Y and where do you live?

 

[Musje]

When did you order from C4Y and where do you live?

I ordered it like 2 weeks ago (during their holiday period)

Got a mail this tuesday that it's sent.
I live in the netherlands.

 

[mcciff2112]

Lube it with silicone spray and see if it makes a difference

 

[Musje]

Lubed it with silicon spray now (Griffon brand, only one I could find here)

I hope it's a good one as I've heard some silicon sprays are bad for your cube anyway (it says "based on pure silicon oil" on the can... nothing about being plastic safe or not)
Anyone got experience with this brand silicone spray?
I don't want to ruin the DIY I ordered because of wrong silicone spray

My cube does turn a lot better again now

 

[MaO]

griffon silicone spray is good for your cube

 

[Musje]

Ok thanks a lot everyone

 

[jonny guitar]

Sand paper isn't fine enough; give her a going over with 0000 steel wool and you will notice an improvement.

 

[Cuber1974]

A grinding sounds makes me wonder if perhaps some of the shavings were caught in the lubricant actually, which I don't doubt would present a situation you're currently describing...

I'd reckon though that if you're cubies don't look 'flat' to the naked eye (ie they're still streaked in appearance where you've sanded) the sanding process wasn't fine enough. You may want to even look at getting some extremely fine grade sandpaper from your local hardware store to get rid of it and if you have one, maybe even consider polishing the surfaces with a small hand held drill and buffing bit (low speed of course!).

I know it sounds like a lot of trouble, but I think it might actually help with your situation.

Oh and before I forget, avoid the petrolium based lubes like the plague. Vasoline and WD40 are big no-no's when you're lubing the cube and will eventually ruin it. Silicone or nothing at all is the general rule I'd follow.

Hope the info helps!

Cheers

 

[blgentry]

Likely your nail file was too coarse and "roughed up" the plastic instead of smoothing it. Just like in woodworking, the only cure is to use successively finer grades of abrasives until you grind away the grooves and pits you've formed with the rough abrasive.

Maybe start with 400 or 800, and work your way to finer abrasives. I haven't ever sanded my cubes so I can't offer specific advice on what grades to use.

Brian.

 

[imaghost]

what i suggest is buffing the sanded parts. might also suggest getting a very find grit sand paper and sand it. buffing it would actually be your best bet i think because it will smooth it out and give it the shine.

 

[eastamazonantidote]

IF you're going to sand a cube, make sure you sand along the direction the cubies will turn. That way the grain goes the same way, preventing the nasty sandpaper feel. While sanding can make your cube faster, it also allows for more lock-ups in my experience and a weird spongy feeling when cutting corners instead of a crisp cut.

 

[Musje]

IF you're going to sand a cube, make sure you sand along the direction the cubies will turn. That way the grain goes the same way, preventing the nasty sandpaper feel. While sanding can make your cube faster, it also allows for more lock-ups in my experience and a weird spongy feeling when cutting corners instead of a crisp cut.

Did notice an increase in lockups, thought it was just because I'm turning faster now.

I might try rounding the corners a bit more when I got decent sandpaper