Lubricate strings? More spins?

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by sepidoel

I deeply thank you, Sir. This is one of the most useful lessons I got from TT. What I used was old (probably already expired) Vaseline for dry skin lotion, and now I'm addicted to apply that to my stringbed.

To do it, first I unaligned my stringbed (all mains and crosses), then I rubbed one press (at most) of the lotion to the stringbed using my palm before I realigned the stringbed.

I just tried it a few hours ago and the lotion truly helped the string movement back like new.

My next question is, what is the most slippery lotion? Preferably cheap and common one.

Used Motion Lotion in the past.

[6-2/6-4/6-0]

Just as a quick point, WD-40 is not a lubricant - it is a de-greaser. We see the same mistake in the cycling industry all the time with people thinking that it's a lubricant. It works in the short term for a test like this because it is wet on the strings, but a true lubricant will be able to reduce friction even once it has 'dried'. For something like lubricating strings, I would think that a 'dry' chain lubricant for a bicycle (Pedro's Dry Lube) would be very effective. They tend to be wax-based and have very good durability and adhesion properties. The only question would be whether the solvent that the lubricant is suspended in would damage or weaken the sheath/outer layers of the string - though since it is safe for skin contact I doubt this would be the case...

[sepidoel]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

Used Motion Lotion in the past.

O.O
That's actually a good idea, but can it still lubricate after hours or days being applied?

Originally Posted by 6-2/6-4/6-0

Just as a quick point, WD-40 is not a lubricant - it is a de-greaser. We see the same mistake in the cycling industry all the time with people thinking that it's a lubricant. It works in the short term for a test like this because it is wet on the strings, but a true lubricant will be able to reduce friction even once it has 'dried'. For something like lubricating strings, I would think that a 'dry' chain lubricant for a bicycle (Pedro's Dry Lube) would be very effective. They tend to be wax-based and have very good durability and adhesion properties. The only question would be whether the solvent that the lubricant is suspended in would damage or weaken the sheath/outer layers of the string - though since it is safe for skin contact I doubt this would be the case...

Never heard of dry lubricant before. Definitely worth trying.

Thanks for sharing.

[ATP100]

Originally Posted by sepidoel

I deeply thank you, Sir. This is one of the most useful lessons I got from TT. What I used was old (probably already expired) Vaseline for dry skin lotion, and now I'm addicted to apply that to my stringbed.

To do it, first I unaligned my stringbed (all mains and crosses), then I rubbed one press (at most) of the lotion to the stringbed using my palm before I realigned the stringbed.

I just tried it a few hours ago and the lotion truly helped the string movement back like new.

My next question is, what is the most slippery lotion? Preferably cheap and common one.

Just use cheap lotion from your local department store, usually walmart in US.

P.S. Don't tell your friends, they won't believe you.

LOL

[2Hare]

Originally Posted by 6-2/6-4/6-0

Just as a quick point, WD-40 is not a lubricant - it is a de-greaser. We see the same mistake in the cycling industry all the time with people thinking that it's a lubricant. It works in the short term for a test like this because it is wet on the strings, but a true lubricant will be able to reduce friction even once it has 'dried'. For something like lubricating strings, I would think that a 'dry' chain lubricant for a bicycle (Pedro's Dry Lube) would be very effective. They tend to be wax-based and have very good durability and adhesion properties. The only question would be whether the solvent that the lubricant is suspended in would damage or weaken the sheath/outer layers of the string - though since it is safe for skin contact I doubt this would be the case...

Wow, thanks a lot man! Definitely trying that, as baby oil is killing my balls haha.

[fortun8son]

Another popular, wax-based cycle lube is FinishLine Clean Ride/White Lightning

[pvaudio]

Indeed it is true about WD40. People assume that since it's used to loosen joints and stop squeaks that it's actually a lubricant. It's actually intended to displace water, hence the W and D. Twice a year I apply liquid graphite to my stringing machine's rails (it's ultra fine graphite powder, think pencil dust), and it's by far the slickest thing I've encountered, and is completely inert so it doesn't damage anything. Unfortunately, I'm not positive that it would work in the slightest on tennis strings, and is very expensive.

[mixedmedia]

I think I used to use that graphite stuff to make the wheels spin better on small model race cars. It may work on strings, but for some reason I have my doubts. Maybe I don't trust it because I never won a race!

[fortun8son]

Graphite is great for slow moving, precision, metal parts like locks.
Teflon or synthetic grease is better for higher speeds
Wax is probably best for strings (that is usually the main ingredient in hand lotions)
Watch out for Lanolin. Too slippery!

[2Hare]

Originally Posted by fortun8son

Graphite is great for slow moving, precision, metal parts like locks.
Teflon or synthetic grease is better for higher speeds
Wax is probably best for strings (that is usually the main ingredient in hand lotions)
Watch out for Lanolin. Too slippery!

that's a lot of great info, thank! do you lubricate the strings yourself? how well does that work for u?

[pvaudio]

If anyone is wondering what I'm talking about, then here:

http://www.greenchem.com/058drygraplu.html

And mixedmedia, that's how I have some. I used to race RC cars, and that stuff is commonly used for a number of applications.

[fortun8son]

Sounds like great stuff! Maybe it would work for strings!
And, no. I don't lube strings(except for some Chapstik to get past blocked holes), but I heard tell...

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by fortun8son

Graphite is great for slow moving, precision, metal parts like locks.
Teflon or synthetic grease is better for higher speeds
Wax is probably best for strings (that is usually the main ingredient in hand lotions)
Watch out for Lanolin. Too slippery!

Can you wax your strings on the changeovers? Whip out a bar of wax and get busy.

[2Hare]

Originally Posted by pvaudio

If anyone is wondering what I'm talking about, then here:

http://www.greenchem.com/058drygraplu.html

And mixedmedia, that's how I have some. I used to race RC cars, and that stuff is commonly used for a number of applications.

I'll put that on the my try list too, thanks! someone gotta do playtests of lubricants someday. I've tried baby oil, it works, but it wear off too fast and makes the balls dirty.

[mixedmedia]

Originally Posted by pvaudio

If anyone is wondering what I'm talking about, then here:

http://www.greenchem.com/058drygraplu.html

And mixedmedia, that's how I have some. I used to race RC cars, and that stuff is commonly used for a number of applications.

Ahh, I see. I almost want to try it since I went and found the tube in an old toolbox, but I probably won't since I hit flatter shots anyway.

[2Hare]

Originally Posted by pvaudio

If anyone is wondering what I'm talking about, then here:

http://www.greenchem.com/058drygraplu.html

And mixedmedia, that's how I have some. I used to race RC cars, and that stuff is commonly used for a number of applications.

I've checked out some local graphite based sprayed on lubricants, seems like they are toxic. is this non-toxic?

[2Hare]

ok I've tried bike lube, worse than baby oil. grease up the ball like crazy and and smell worse than baby oil. I guess I'll try hand lotion next!

[pvaudio]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

Used Motion Lotion in the past.

This is really awkward lol

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by 2Hare

ok I've tried bike lube, worse than baby oil. grease up the ball like crazy and and smell worse than baby oil. I guess I'll try hand lotion next!

And this is not awkward?

[2Hare]

Ok, after trying bike lubes, baby oil, body lotion, and finger ease, I think I'm ready to give some feedbacks. body lotion and finger ease work the best. my setups are gut main poly crosses on blx90 and a few other frames.

1. Bike lubes and baby oil are simply unsuitable for lubricating strings as they grease up the balls so much so they are almost unplayable. Plus once that happens, the string stop sliding much again.

2. body/hand lotion and finger ease both revitalize the string beds well. sure not as good as new string setup, but I'm damn impressed about how much they make strings spinny and gripping cupping the balls again. Here's the breakdown.

Hand lotion: cheap, easy solution that smells good too! applied it with my palms, and then pulled on the mains to coat the sliding part of the gut main. On the court, it works well for a few hours. reapplying the lotion bring the strings back to life again.

Finger ease: slightly more expensive, but easy to apply as you can just spray it all over strings. it's a product designed to work with gut strings in the first place, so without saying, it works very well, I would say more than the lotion. I think it lasts about as long as the hand lotion when applied generously.

Please let me know if u think there are better lubricant for tennis strings out there, thanks =)