Talk:Lubrication

2013-06-28T18:48:29Z

Matthijsvdmeulen:

Shock oil with very high viscosity (50,000wt) seems to give good results according to [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?27563-Viscosity-of-Lubix-Found!-Cheaper-Alternative! this thread].

--
[[User:anuradha|anuradha]] 07:26, 14 March 2011 (LKT)

[http://www.cubelube.com cubelube.com] seems to be down. Is this temporary or permanent?

--
[[User:Cride5|Cride5]] 20:04, 7 September 2009 (UTC)

The cubelube.com entry to the wiki persists, despite the website being dead and gone for years. I am removing it, at least for now.

--
[[User:Owen|Owen]] 20:15, 15 December 2011 (EST)

The link for griffon silicone broke, so I replaced it.
(I'm from the Netherlands)

--
[[User:matthijsvdmeulen|matthijsvdmeulen]] 20:47, 28 June 2013 (UTC)

Lubrication

2013-06-28T18:45:46Z

Matthijsvdmeulen:

A '''lubricant''' (or '''lube''') is a material which can be put in a [[puzzle]] to make it easier to turn or smoother. This page contains descriptions of different lubricants and specific suggestions for how to use them. In general, to lube a cube, you should apply the lubricant either by removing one piece and spraying it in, or by disassembling the cube completely and coating the pieces in lubricant. After lube is applied, it is usually best to not time a solve immediately, but rather give the lube a few minutes to work in. It is also recommended that you do not apply lube to very stiff cubes, as this can sometimes make them even harder to turn.

The following two general terms are used to characterise the friction effects of a lubricant:
* '''Static Friction''' - force required to initiate a turn.
* '''Dynamic Friction''' - resistance felt during the turn.
The range of lubricants available affect each of these aspects in differing degrees. For example, silicone oils tend to reduce static friction, while increasing dynamic friction.

== Silicon-Based ==
Silicon-based lubricants are a highly popular and effective way to lubricate cubes.
Silicone sprays leave a smooth coat of lube over the cube's plastic to make it glide smoothly over other surfaces, thus making your cube turn smoother.

===Lubix Cube===
A high viscosity pure silicone oil fluid. Very Effective and has risen to one of the most popular lubricants on sale. The lubricant is a little expensive but only very little is needed and it is said to last a very long time.

The same silicone oil ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polydimethylsiloxane dimethylsiloxane fluid]) could be found at most local hobby stores with a much cheaper price, though missing Lubix's syringe.

===Rubik's Lube===
This is the lube that comes in a syringe-like container when you order from Rubiks.com. It can be found at

[http://www.lightake.com/detail.do/sku.37986~C.12332011TXFCIVEFR! Rubiks Original Lube at lightake.com] .

===Maru Lubricant===
A white, milk like liquid. Works very well and is very popular. Huge performance increase on the spot even with only 1 or 2 drops.The lubricant tends to dry out quickly during a weeks peroid. Very Cheap and lasts for over 3 months per bottle.
[http://www.lightake.com/detail.do/sku.30344~C.12332011TXFCIVEFR! Maru Lube at Lightake]

===Jig-A-Loo===
Used by many cubers, this lubricant works very well. However, it can melt plastic temporarily, so it is recommended that you completely disassemble your cube to lubricate it, and that you let the pieces dry well before reassembly. Available in the US and Canada. @see [http://www.jigaloo.com/us/e_products_jigaloo.php jigaloo.com], Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5129 The TRUTH about Jig-A-Loo]

===CRC Silicone Spray===
CRC silicon spray has been used by many cubers. This is a very good lubricant to use. It will dry out soon, but works well. It is known to eat cubes too, so use with caution. Available at Wal Mart in the US and Canada. Available at some hardware stores in Australia.

===Tableau Dry Lube===
A silicone-based spray lubricant, popular in the UK. Cheap to buy and often gets good reviews. [http://www.ebay.co.uk eBay.co.uk] is usually the best place to buy it online. Like most spray lubricants, its propellant can cause temporary melting of plastic, so it is recommended that the cube is disassembled to allow the lube to dry before use.
@see [http://www.tableauproducts.com/ tableauproducts.com]

===Shock Oil===
Available worldwide, this comes in a range of viscosities and is 100% pure silicone oil. Mainly sold for radio controlled car shock absorbers. Available from [http://www.racingstate.com/shock-oil.html racingstate.com] in wt30 (UK only), or [http://www.towerhobbies.com towerhobbies.com] in a range of viscosities including [http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LX3303&P=7 wt10], [http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LX3304&P=M wt20] and [http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LX3305&P=M wt30] (shipping is expensive, but available worldwide).
* Speedsolving.com : [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17011 What type of Shock oil]

===Differential Oil===
Differential oils of very high viscosity have been used successfully by some cubers. 50,000wt oils such as [http://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Diff-Oil-50-000/dp/B0006O7MII/ref=sr_1_1 this one] are reported to produce very good results. The right quantity is a small drop per cube, and applying more may make a cube slower and sticky. These oils are available in toy shops as well as [http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=50%2C000wt+silicone+diff+oil&_sacat=See-All-Categories on eBay].
* [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?30890-High-Viscosity-Differential-Oil-Thread&highlight=differential New Speedsolving.com discussion]

===Maplin Silicone Grease with PTFE===
Works well on [[DIY]] cubes, and is easy to find in the UK. Comes in a spray can with extension tube for lazy lubing. @see [http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=30030&C=SO&U=strat15 maplin.co.uk]

===Armour All original protectant===
It is silicone based, and pretty good, but sometimes causes the cube to gunk up when overlubed. It is recommended that you wipe off excess lubricant after using. @see [http://www.armorall.com/products/view_product.php?product_id=8 armorall.com]

===Other silicone lubricants===
*Calvin Puzzles Lube - available from hknowstore.com and puzzleaddictions,com
*W5 Silicone Oil - available from LIDL stores across Europe
* [http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_214714_langId_-1_categoryId_165750 3 in 1 silicone spray] - Takes a while to dry. Available in UK hardware stores such as Halfords. It also leaves a very sticky feel to it, even after it has dried.
* Wynn's Silicone Lube - From 'A1', a UK motoring spares store.
* Rapide silicone spray - Available from UK stores.
* [http://www.griffon.nl/nl-nl/producten/928-smeermiddelen-vetten/product/945-siliconenvet Griffon] - Available in the Netherlands
* [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4695 Prestone]
* [http://www.spraywayinc.com/products.php?id=945 Sprayway]
* Gyrolon Universal Silikonspray - Available in the german dicounter ALDI
* OK/Q8 SILKON SPRAY, avaiable in Sweden, much like CRC but does not dry out as fast.

== Petroleum-Based ==
These include lubricants such as vaseline, WD-40, or Liquid Wrench. It is '''recommended that you do not use these, but if you really want to, use them with caution''', as petroleum and petroleum distillates speed the aging of plastic, and may dissolve the plastic resulting in destruction of the pieces and the internal mechanism. Excessive uses of these lubricants often lead to the center mechanism breaking apart completely. Some, however, have reported success using petroleum based lubricants to speed up [[breaking in]] of new cubes. It would be best if you have a tight cube (Rubik's brand) to lube it will a petroleum based jelly for about a month. Then take it all a part and [[cleaning]] it and use a silicone base lubricant.

===Vaseline===
Goopy and well known, this is not the best lube. Being a petroleum based lubricant it will speed the deterioration of the pieces as well as the internal mechanism. Some people recommend using vaseline for a while to wear down the inside of the cube (almost like breaking in the cube) before using other lubricants.

===WD-40===
Known for damaging cubes by wearing the pieces in and making them harder to turn, this does not actually act as a lubricant for the plastic at all. However, there have been some success stories of WD-40 being used on cubes and making them smoother.
It is recommended you '''do not use this'''. If you must, however, you should wash or wipe it off after about half an hour.

===Liquid Wrench===
Even though Liquid Wrench says Silicone Spray on the can, it still contains petroleum distillates. The lubricant also has a very petroleum-like smell and will stay there. Liquid Wrench is not odorless. Do not use this. It contains less than 5% of silicone.

== Miscellaneous Other Lubricants ==

=== Cooking No-stick Spray ===
Yes, PAM. Not necessarily the cleanest or best thing to use, it works nonetheless. It will slowly eat the plastic but not nearly as fast as petroleum based products. It is recommended you clean out your cube frequently if you use this.

=== White Lithium Grease ===
There are some mixed results of this lubricant, but it does work fairly well. The cube will have a sticky feeling after using it, though it wears off after some [[breaking-in]].

=== Furniture Polish ===
Some furniture polishes such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Sheen Mr Sheen] and [http://www.uclean.com/catalog/productInfo/chemicals/polishes/johnson_shine_up_polish_32_oz_lemon.html Shine-Up Polish] contain silicone and can be a cheap and widely available lubricant. Reviews are mixed with some reporting a positive result, while others aren't convinced.

=== Graphite Powder ===
A dry, oil-free solution. Reduces the 'sticky' feeling, but causes cube to turn less smoothly.

== External links ==
* YouTube: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ppbBM11UYc How to lubricate a Rubik's cube] - standard method (by Jh543)
* YouTube: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v0UiJsXb8A How to Lube Your Rubik's Cube] - standard method, inc 4x4x4 (by VanquishSDude)
* YouTube: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tarWH5BCZVw How to Lube Your Cube] - disassembling the cube (by biggajigga721)
* YouTube: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtOHpSyfjd8 Rubik's Cube Lubrication experiment] (by badmephisto)

* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5584 Which silicone lubricant to use, and where to get?]
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15450 Jigaloo Vs Crc]
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9801 What Lube and Where to get it from?] (UK Lube)
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12822 UK Cubing Lubricant]
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14477 Shock Oil]
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9380 Lubricant Other than Silicone Spray]
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23260 Shock Oil VS. CRC Silicone Spray]
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?38138-Survey-What-kind-of-lube-do-you-use Survey]

* [http://www.lightake.com/products.do/category.Wholesale_Lubricant-174~c.12332011TXFCIVEFR! Lightake Lubricant]
* Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friction Friction]

[[Category:Puzzle hardware]]

Speedsolving.com Wiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:Lubrication

Lubrication