Ok, I'm confused. I tried assembly lube, the white injection system tube stuff. It was still stiff and hard to move. Solved it a few times a day for a week with no improvement. I got some Pyroil Multi Purple silicone spray (the auto store didn't have any CRC) and I spritz that in, two small spritz one on each side of the core. I work the heck out of it, but I am not a speed solver (takes me 3 or 4 minutes to solve the cube) so it was mostly turning each face one quarter turn then switch to a new face and bounce around like that hitting all faces for several minutes. Still stiff and binding a lot. So I start to dismantle it to lube the core, like it says on Lubix. What I find is not pretty. There is *light* dusting of fine black powder on the core and I see one or two of the edges are messed up. Don't have a camera or I'd photo this for you to see. Assembly lube I'd assume is safe and I *thought* silicone spray was safe too so I am confused by what messed up my cube.
The Shen Shou and a lubing dilemma
- Thread starter BelGarion
- Start date
ianography
Veteran
I understand what happened to your cube, but I'm not sure if it can be fixed. Maybe get another or a different cube? I'm sorry, but that's the best advice I can think of right now.
ruff48
Regular
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2008
- Messages
- 49
Uh you put way too much lube in there, silicone lube acts like glue if it builds up too much. Just clean all the pieces with soap and water, let them dry, then lube the core with lubix (don't use that much).
AvGalen
Premium Member
If you can't describe more than "messed up edges" and can't take a picture we can't help you. Contact your seller
The first time I didn't use that much, just two quick squirts right against the core, and I moved all the sides randomly for a few minutes and it was still binding together. But I still solved it a couple of times to see if it would work it's way clear. Only the second time I used the silicone spray did I really soak it trying to overcome that binding feeling.
ruff48
Regular
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2008
- Messages
- 49
That was your issue. You used too much.
masterofthebass
Premium Member
Because the lube has to dry. When sprayed silicone is still wet, it feels gummy, but that goes away after it dries. This is the same with EVERY sprayed lube.
Keban
Regular
You definately seemed to have sprayed too much.
all it takes for silicone to lube a cube is two quick sprays, do 4 or 5 solves or so then it should be good.
all it takes for silicone to lube a cube is two quick sprays, do 4 or 5 solves or so then it should be good.
gundamslicer
Veteran
Your edges aren't weird. It's because the spray melts the cube temporarily
FatBoyXPC
Veteran
It's not the silicone that melts it, it's the solvents. You should search some threads about silicone sprays as to how they react, there are plenty. Using pure silicone oil (like Lubix or shock oil) won't harm the cube at all.
Oh! *head desks* Ok... Well, I won't use it on my Ghost Hand, it's broken in and well used, still sticks a little, so I'll get some Lubix or shock oil then. I'm so green at this I want something non damaging. Do you think if I clean this, leave the cube apart and spray all the inner surfaces with silicone, then let it sit for, say, 12 hours then reassemble it'll be better? It won't be able to glue itself together as it'll be apart, right? Thank you for the information so far...
Like this? - How To Properly Clean/Lubricate A Rubik's Cube
Or is there more steps I need to take, or steps you would recommend different, etc? Thanks again.
Like this? - How To Properly Clean/Lubricate A Rubik's Cube
Or is there more steps I need to take, or steps you would recommend different, etc? Thanks again.
Last edited:
Ok, did as the video suggested, it's a little better, still has that face dragging on face feel that bugs me but it doesn't require King Kong to turn it, though it still makes my fingers ache to solve it. I'll keep solving it off and on for a while and hope it all works in. If not, I am planning on getting some Lubix for the Ghost Hand, I'll use a little of that and, as he suggests, lube the core. Thanks again all.
Ok. I got the Lubix. It did an amazing job on the Ghost Hand (gen 1) but, even though I did the same for the Shen Shou, that is, disassembled the cube, pulled the center cubies away from the core, and put in a dab of Lubix, then reassembled the cube, and put in a last dab on the last cubie to go in, scrambled, and solved it, it didn't help. I'm at a loss, I've detensioned the cube back to a very loose state and it's *ok* even after a half a dozen or so solves. I'm wondering if the mistake with the silicone spray has more or less killed the cube? 
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