Do you lubricate your PF locomotives or technic MOCs?

[soc399]

I've had the Emerald Night for a few months, and it's beginning to squeak a fair amount while running, especially when pulling lots of cars around curves. I reassembled the drive train, and there is a bit of wear on some of the technic axles and other parts from the friction. I saw this topic, and it made me wonder about using some graphite powder or silicone spray. Does anyone have experience using any kind of lubricant on power functions locomotives or other technic creations? What is the best way to keep a motorized technic build working smoothly over the long term?

EDIT: Oops, can a mod please move this to Train Tech? Sorry.

Edited November 15, 2009 by soc399

[Bruce]

I've had the Emerald Night for a few months, and it's beginning to squeak a fair amount while running, especially when pulling lots of cars around curves. I reassembled the drive train, and there is a bit of wear on some of the technic axles and other parts from the friction. I saw this topic, and it made me wonder about using some graphite powder or silicone spray. Does anyone have experience using any kind of lubricant on power functions locomotives or other technic creations? What is the best way to keep a motorized technic build working smoothly over the long term?

I got a pin point oiler at Radio Shack that stated it would not harm plastic and I have used this for the last two years on my trains for plastic to plastic and metal to plastic lubrication with very good results.

Bruce

[Matt Dawson]

You could always use vegatable oil that's used for frying etc. - as it's made from natural stuff it won't affect anything, and I've used it for several years without trouble. smells nice too.

Edited November 15, 2009 by Matt Dawson

[allanp]

I don't lubricate parts any more. But when I was a kid I found that household furniture polish worked quite well. I used to just spray it on the gears and where ever there was friction whilst the model was running. The noise of the fast spinning gears dropped enormousely and the whole thing speed up quite noticeably within a second. I'm sure there are far better lubricants than furniture polish but at least it wont stain the carpet and your bound to have some.