Lubricants: Silicone vs Vaseline

[Johnny.d.p]

Yes, blah blah.
I have used Silicone spray lube before, just wanted to try Vaseline...
I know that Vaseline is known to break down/softens into plastic, but here's the deal.
I have lubed my GuHong the Lubix way(in the centre pieces blah blah) with Vaseline... BUT HERE ARE MY REASONS:
I found out that Silicone spray lube also breaks down/softens plastic, I found out by storing silicone in a syringe by spraying silicone into a small plastic container then extracting in into a syringe then leaving it overnight. Result, the syringe was completely bent(like in a melted way). Yes, Vaseline attracts dust but only if left in dusty areas of course...

Silicone spray lube also dries out quite quickly. Vaseline lasts a while. Although Vaseline doesn't extreme speed up the cube silicone sometimes makes it too fast or is applied unevenly.I have done the Lubix Elite mod to my GuHong as well so effects are different. Vaseline speeds up the cube a bit but also kinda smoothens the cube and eliminates a little bit of clickyness. Vaseline also takes a while to break down plastic.

So what do you guys think. Vote in the POLL and GIVE REASONS!
If possible please lube your cube with Vaseline and tell me differences. Remember to clean out all silicone because silicone and vaseline is not a good mix. If your cube is lubed with Lubix do NOT lube with Vaseline because I am sure Lubix is better.
Lubix is very pricey so I am not buying Lubix, I am just using anything available.
THANK YOU!

-Johnny

 

[devoblue]

Dude, Silicone doesn't break down the plastic, the propellant does - assuming you are using an aerosol. Its also supposed to be dry to work. If you can't afford lubix, well, there are other options but it sounds like the easiest one for you is to just use armorall (the one you spray on the car dashboard), which is usually easy to get hold of doesn't damage the plastic and is a better lube than vaseline.

 

[Johnny.d.p]

Obviously I wrote in the post I use silicone spray lube... I meant dry out as in the lube wearing out. Like losing speed.

-Johnny

 

[Bapao]

You did the Lubix Elite mod but don't use Lubix?

I used WD-40 on one of my cubes when I didn't know any better. It still works fine and isn't showing any signs of structural fatigue. Don't see why Vaseline would be any more destructive than WD-40 which additionally contains solvents...

 

[Andreaillest]

100% Silicone.

I have used Vaseline on my first Rubik's storebought and it was not that bad actually. It did exactly what I wanted it to do, get better. However, as time has passed and DIYs were purchased, I completely scrapped my storebought and had forgotten all about for a while. After a long period of zero maintenance or cleaning, the cube was horrible and I actually broke the core from trying to pop a piece out. The inside of the cube was gunky and disgusting, the turning was horrid also. I felt like an arthritis patient. With silicone, I don't have to worry about them going bad if I leave them unattained for a while. I can go back to my 2nd storebought(lubed w/CRC) right now it would still feel nice. Don't get me wrong, if properly taken care of, a vaselined cube can be good. It's just a long continual process. Also, silicone has a better performance. The cube turns a lot better with silicone rather than with vaseline.

 

[Johnny.d.p]

I'll clean out my cube when I am free and apply silicone spray to it. still post more comments though!
I wanted to use Vaseline to break down the plastic a bit to even out my mods so one piece is almost the same to others.

-Johnny