Rusted core on a new cube

[Lie]

Recently, I got myself a new MoYu WeiLong GTS 2M and a small bottle of regular Maru lube (not the thicker Maru Axis lube). This new cube was going to be my second speedcube and my first time using a lube, as I've always used my previous (two years old) speedcube unlubricated.

I received my new cube about two weeks ago in the mail. Following lubricating tutorials, I did about fifty or so solves to break the cube in and then I lubricated the cube, including the core (screws, springs, and washers) using the regular Maru lube. For each axis, I put one drop on the washer and one drop where the spring meets the screw. I then tensioned and reassembled everything back together, and put another few drops of lube for the pieces. While the cube did become slightly too fast/slippery for me (which I kinda expected due to using thin lube for the core), the magnets held everything together well, somewhat making up for it. And apart from a couple magnets coming off (easily fixed with superglue), everything has been awesome and I managed to break my PBs with it.

A couple weeks later (just now), I opened the core again and I find that four out of the six screws, washers, and springs are covered with this white and reddish-brown residue (rust?):

Of course I'm bummed that I might've damaged my new cube, but where did I go wrong? Is Maru lube not suitable/harmful for lubricating cores? Why had the core rusted that much in such a short time? Had anyone had similar experience?

 

[Ordway Persyn]

Was the cube exposed to a damp environment? Because if so than thats probably to blame.

 

[Draranor]

Can't say for sure, but Maru is a water-based lube, so that may have had something to do with it. The screws may not be great quality too

 

[Competition Cuber]

Never use Maru (or anything light) for the core. Use weight 4 or 5, Traxxas 50k, etc. for the core. Something as light as Maru is basically the same viscosity as water, and that will cause metal things to rust.

 

[One Wheel]

Something as light as Maru is basically the same viscosity as water, and that will cause metal things to rust.

Kerosene is also similar viscosity to water, and although it would destroy the plastic in a cube, it would inhibit rust on metal parts. Content matters, not viscosity. The water in a water-based lube like Maru would encourage rust, regardless of viscosity.

 

[Competition Cuber]

Kerosene is also similar viscosity to water, and although it would destroy the plastic in a cube, it would inhibit rust on metal parts. Content matters, not viscosity. The water in a water-based lube like Maru would encourage rust, regardless of viscosity.

But it rusts.

 

[One Wheel]

But it rusts.

That has everything to do with content and nothing to do with viscosity. I think viscosity might mean something other than what you think.

 

[Competition Cuber]

That has everything to do with content and nothing to do with viscosity. I think viscosity might mean something other than what you think.

What does water do to metal things when they rain? I makes them rust. And that is because it is a low viscosity.

 

[xyzzy]

What does water do to metal things when they rain? I makes them rust. And that is because it is a low viscosity.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rust

Educate yourself.

 

[Competition Cuber]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rust

Educate yourself.

I'm getting off this thread now

 

[Lie]

Was the cube exposed to a damp environment? Because if so than thats probably to blame.

The cube was never in excessively damp/wet environment. I might have played with wet hands a few times (always quickly wiped off, as wet hands aren't good for solve times), though my hand is always dry when lubricating.

 

[applezfall]

wash it with cola

 

[pglewis]

The cube was never in excessively damp/wet environment. I might have played with wet hands a few times (always quickly wiped off, as wet hands aren't good for solve times), though my hand is always dry when lubricating.

Maybe unlikely but do you, by chance, live near the ocean/sea? Humid salt air can be rough, though I don't know if it would degrade the screws that quickly.