Maintenance (Lubrication)

[Shaun]

Hi Guys, I bought my steel from new two years ago and up to now have not done any Maintenance on it.
No problems so far but nothing goes forever without a bit of maintenance.
My question is, What oil do you guys use?, Is there an off-the-shelf product or a specialist oil I need for the Steel?

[Ken Byng]

Shaun
I use TRI-FLOW, a lubricant which contains P.T.F.E. You can buy a pen applicator with built in syringe to get to inaccessible places. US steelie Greg Cutshaw has prepared some great tips including pictures on servicing and lubricating pedal steel guitars at http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Lubricate/Lubricate.html. You can buy this lubricant and applicator plus refills on eBay. A little goes a long way.

Golden rule - NEVER use WD40 to lubricate your guitar. It forms a gunge after a while and will do more harm than good.

Ken

[Shaun]

Thanks for the link and advice Ken, much appreciated.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Shaun, I use 3 in one it contains P.F.M. as I could`ent get on with that other stuff I do both ends every time I change my strings and make sure everything is running smoothly especially the rollers at the nut end....... I never break strings my 11 lasts from one string change to the next.....

[David Hartley]

Tri Flow I have used for years. I bought an aerosol of it years ago which lasted forever. I remember buying it from makays in cambridge years ago. It's not available from them anymore but small containers of it are always at the psg festivals in the USA so it is still made. I bought 3 last time I went. $6 each. It is the best because of it's synthetic structure it doesn't clog with dust and solidify. ( I was told )!

David

[Shaun]

Thanks for your comments John and David, much appreciated.

gun or sewing machine oil is fine as well
WD40 is a NO NO

[Shaun]

Thanks for the advice James, much appreciated

[Tony Smart]

Some people swear by Tri-Flow, others differ.

Paul Franklin Snr. recommends 10/30 motor oil. I suppose a fully synthetic motor oil would best as you wouldn't get the problems of mineral oil degrading.

Mind you, we're not dealing with a car engine here so it might not make any difference.

[Zebedee]

I oil my steels when they start squeaking.

My Denley, which I rebuilt and modded in 1995, has never squeaked since, and therefore has not received one drop of lubrication in 15 years.

Still sounds ok though