Silicone Spray is heaven

jacktyler627

New User
Even though it has been mentioned before on here, my first experience using this stuff is awesome.

I work at a club and got permission to start stringing on the machines. There were two (prince neos & alpha revolution) and I noticed the alpha didn't really work cause the clamps were super sticky on the swivel bases.

Went and bought silicone spray and gave the entire machine a good cleaning and I can tell you the difference is truly night and day. Even if you think your machine is alright, go get silicone spray. Your stringing career will be changed.

Even though I am new to stringing, little hints like these on this forum make me so happy.

#ilovestringing
 

sstchur

Hall of Fame
I use the CLP Break Free stuff. I think it's for cleaning guns, but it was another posted on these boards that told me about it. I'm led to believe it is the same stuff that gss sells, but the gss stuff, obviously, has different packaging and is more expensive.

Anyway, it works really well -- clamps literally "glide" after applying this stuff and letting it cure.
 

dancraig

Hall of Fame
Even though it has been mentioned before on here, my first experience using this stuff is awesome.

I work at a club and got permission to start stringing on the machines. There were two (prince neos & alpha revolution) and I noticed the alpha didn't really work cause the clamps were super sticky on the swivel bases.

Went and bought silicone spray and gave the entire machine a good cleaning and I can tell you the difference is truly night and day. Even if you think your machine is alright, go get silicone spray. Your stringing career will be changed.

Even though I am new to stringing, little hints like these on this forum make me so happy.

#ilovestringing

Try not to get it on the Neos glide bars.
 

EdVin70

Rookie
I use the CLP Break Free stuff. I think it's for cleaning guns, but it was another posted on these boards that told me about it. I'm led to believe it is the same stuff that gss sells, but the gss stuff, obviously, has different packaging and is more expensive.

Anyway, it works really well -- clamps literally "glide" after applying this stuff and letting it cure.

+1 on the CLP Break Free ...

and the aroma reminds me of my prior life carrying an M16.
 

oldcity

Rookie
I don't know about the higher end guys but my alpha's steel guide that the clamps slide up and down had some texture to them. I used a drill with polishing wheel and some metal polish and got 'em nice and smooth. No more sticking when I move the clamps.
 

Pocky

Rookie
I've seen Dave from Inspired tennis use a compressed air spray to clean his machine and it doesn't look environmentally friendly.

He also distributes plastic bags which is used to keep the racquets.

I understand that's in the good nature of making his customers feel important and special since he didn't get the chance when he was a kid but, if we keep going at this rate, the world would be a nasty place in a some years time
 

Gamma Tech

Professional
Silicone spray is really great stuff and will dramatically reduce friction between parts. But perhaps a word of caution is needed. Keep in mind that once you spray something with silicone nothing will stick to it. That includes small amounts that may be transferred by you hands as you touch various surfaces. Might not be a big deal, but if you ever want to paint of glue something on that surface nothing will stick. Not even superglue.
 

coachrick

Hall of Fame
I used silicone spray on my Honda CB550 chrome exhaust pipes back in the mid-'70s. The pipes were seriously shiny after that!

For you CLP users(that's CleanLubeProtect to regular folk), I wonder how FrogLube would work. I've got some for my handguns, but haven't made the switch from petro-stuff, yet. It's all natural, enviro-friendly and smells good! ;)
 

coachrick

Hall of Fame
I don't know about the higher end guys but my alpha's steel guide that the clamps slide up and down had some texture to them. I used a drill with polishing wheel and some metal polish and got 'em nice and smooth. No more sticking when I move the clamps.

Interesting...I'm pretty sure the texture was designed to function as a little bit of 'grab', since we don't want the clamps slipping when they shouldn't. Our Pioneer III ca 1989 had the textured finish on the glide bars. We wiped down the bars with alcohol and made sure the inside of the clamp 'clamp' was very clean, also. The clamp usually had the greater amount of build-up.

"D-dorty-forty", as we nicknamed it, was excellent INside the clamp base of my SP II machine but not on the glide bars, of course. Those clamps slid up and down a 'post' and didn't rely on friction for holding position.
 

jim e

Legend
I've seen Dave from Inspired tennis use a compressed air spray to clean his machine and it doesn't look environmentally friendly.

I use compressed air spray after I clean the machine parts with alcohol, as the air helps evaporate the alcohol so the surface is dry. I don't like leaving the metal parts wet with alcohol, as the air dries it up nice. Nothing wrong with the compressed air. I'm sure many here use it to keep the keyboard clean on the computer as well.

As far as environmentally friendly, I would think your car is less environ. friendly than a few cans of compressed air, and I bet you still use your automobile.

WD 40 attracts dirt. Teflon is better than either- for bikes, too.

I agree, Triflow is a great product. Less dirt attracted so less grit and less wear and tear, that is if you need a lube product.
 
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Smac1221

New User
Has anyone ever tried using Graphite dust?

My clamps are starting to get sticky and I thought about using this only because I have some. I used on my compond bow for hunting. No Smell and parts glided very smoothly. It comes in a little tube and you just "Puff Dust" the area. No problems with anything sticking, wet area or running all over.

Just a thought!
 

oldcity

Rookie
Interesting...I'm pretty sure the texture was designed to function as a little bit of 'grab', since we don't want the clamps slipping when they shouldn't. Our Pioneer III ca 1989 had the textured finish on the glide bars. We wiped down the bars with alcohol and made sure the inside of the clamp 'clamp' was very clean, also. The clamp usually had the greater amount of build-up.

"D-dorty-forty", as we nicknamed it, was excellent INside the clamp base of my SP II machine but not on the glide bars, of course. Those clamps slid up and down a 'post' and didn't rely on friction for holding position.

It did not have a "texture" per se. just that it was a stamped steel piece that wasn't finished. mine work perfectly and now that its a little smoother its easy to get those clamps lined up just right.
 

EdVin70

Rookie
Silicone spray is really great stuff and will dramatically reduce friction between parts. But perhaps a word of caution is needed. Keep in mind that once you spray something with silicone nothing will stick to it. That includes small amounts that may be transferred by you hands as you touch various surfaces. Might not be a big deal, but if you ever want to paint of glue something on that surface nothing will stick. Not even superglue.

This is true, when I use CLP I wear nitrile gloves and use the same rag over and over - I store it in a ziplock baggie. I would suggest spraying it onto the rag and dabbing/wiping rather than spraying directly onto the machine.
 

coachrick

Hall of Fame
I used silicone spray on my Honda CB550 chrome exhaust pipes back in the mid-'70s. The pipes were seriously shiny after that!QUOTE]

Do you still have that CB550? A CB550 cafe racer is on my list of bikes to own.

Got out of the bike 'biz' once I didn't need to find a parking space at USC(the original--South Carolina) ;) . Had 6 Hondas, all roadies except a 350 'Enduro'-style. My first 550 was metalflake orange...4-into-1 exhaust. Not overly fast, but a great cruiser for its time.

BTW, Ed, my life would have been very different had I accepted the teaching/pro shop position at the Cloister back in '81 or so. Couldn't see leaving Atlanta and living on the ocean. WHAT was I thinkin'!!! :)
 

Rjtennis

Hall of Fame
I have a prince neos 1500. Do I need to lubricate anything on the machine other than the clamps? Thanks for your help!
 

Wikky

Rookie
I have a prince neos 1500. Do I need to lubricate anything on the machine other than the clamps? Thanks for your help!

I clean the glide rails and the crank rail if it feels like I'm getting any friction when putting tension on the string. I"m not sure if it affects the performance of the machine at all but its extremely annoying when you have to put the extra effort every time you are pulling a string.
 

Rjtennis

Hall of Fame
I clean the glide rails and the crank rail if it feels like I'm getting any friction when putting tension on the string. I"m not sure if it affects the performance of the machine at all but its extremely annoying when you have to put the extra effort every time you are pulling a string.

Do you lubricate anything though? The user guide isnt that useful and I want to make sure that i take care of the machine. I use a microfiber cloth and to try to clean up the rails. Thanks man.
 

EdVin70

Rookie
Got out of the bike 'biz' once I didn't need to find a parking space at USC(the original--South Carolina) ;) . Had 6 Hondas, all roadies except a 350 'Enduro'-style. My first 550 was metalflake orange...4-into-1 exhaust. Not overly fast, but a great cruiser for its time.

BTW, Ed, my life would have been very different had I accepted the teaching/pro shop position at the Cloister back in '81 or so. Couldn't see leaving Atlanta and living on the ocean. WHAT was I thinkin'!!! :)

Yeah, its nice here on the coast but Atlanta is certainly the tennis scene. Sea Island just signed Murphy Jensen on to take over tennis

Tough membership to deal with IMHO ...

My son trains with Pride Evans, do you know him? I think he was in Atlanta in the early eighties too.
 

eelhc

Hall of Fame
I've seen Dave from Inspired tennis use a compressed air spray to clean his machine and it doesn't look environmentally friendly.

One doesn't need to use the canned stuff. A compressor is invaluable in cleaning the dirt + grime off metal parts. I use mine ALL the time to dust electronics as well (need a water trap). Really is a tool that every home should be equipped with.
 

coachrick

Hall of Fame
Yeah, its nice here on the coast but Atlanta is certainly the tennis scene. Sea Island just signed Murphy Jensen on to take over tennis

Tough membership to deal with IMHO ...

My son trains with Pride Evans, do you know him? I think he was in Atlanta in the early eighties too.

Now that this thread has been revived, I see I never responded to you, Ed. :( Pride was the director at a highly regarded country club north of Atlanta in the '80s and formed his own club management and design company for some of the 'boom years' in the area. If you were to build a new sub-division or larger neighborhood during those years, you had darned well better include some serious tennis amenities. That was a great opportunity for someone with Pride's experience to step into another set of shoes and remain in the tennis biz.(I actually taught at the Roswell club where Pride was the director...a number of years after Pride left.)
 

coachrick

Hall of Fame
One doesn't need to use the canned stuff. A compressor is invaluable in cleaning the dirt + grime off metal parts. I use mine ALL the time to dust electronics as well (need a water trap). Really is a tool that every home should be equipped with.

Good point on the water trap. A typical compressor will fling moisture under high pressure like nobody's business. ;)
 

Tamiya

Semi-Pro
you're better off vacuuming than blowing dirt somewhere else

I've got tiny crevice tools by ShopVac, they get used a
heap more than the blowgun on the 2hp compressor.
(latter is handy for blowing clay pebbles out of frames though)
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
I use the CLP Break Free stuff. I think it's for cleaning guns, but it was another posted on these boards that told me about it. I'm led to believe it is the same stuff that gss sells, but the gss stuff, obviously, has different packaging and is more expensive.

Anyway, it works really well -- clamps literally "glide" after applying this stuff and letting it cure.

I think I was the one who started CLP Break Free. If you guys think Silicone is slick, Teflon (PTFE) is even slicker.

BTW Silicone is better for preventing moisture like WD-40. How often are we stringing outside in the rain? Troy? (tbuggle)
 
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sstchur

Hall of Fame
On Lakers' recommendation, I got some CLP a few years ago. I've been using it and pretty happy with it. Although, I had been finding that I (feel like) I have to apply it more often than I should. Maybe I'm using too much or something -- not sure.

I did buy some silicone spray just to compare with the CLP, but I haven't tried it yet.
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
On Lakers' recommendation, I got some CLP a few years ago. I've been using it and pretty happy with it. Although, I had been finding that I (feel like) I have to apply it more often than I should. Maybe I'm using too much or something -- not sure.

I did buy some silicone spray just to compare with the CLP, but I haven't tried it yet.

I don't really have rails on my 6004, like my 5003. In any case, using CLP Break Free works best after an alcohol cleaning. Then liberally wiping the guide paths surface with CLP BF, let it soak for a while (at least 30 mins), then wiping off the excess. Don't forget to move the clamps from one end to the other, or remove them completely and clean the bottom of the clamp, but not apply CLP BF.
 

eelhc

Hall of Fame
One can buy silicone lube paste in a tube at the local pool store. IMO the paste is better as there's no over spray and it can be placed more precisely. Lithium lubricant would work too.
 

sstchur

Hall of Fame
I don't really have rails on my 6004, like my 5003. In any case, using CLP Break Free works best after an alcohol cleaning. Then liberally wiping the guide paths surface with CLP BF, let it soak for a while (at least 30 mins), then wiping off the excess. Don't forget to move the clamps from one end to the other, or remove them completely and clean the bottom of the clamp, but not apply CLP BF.

Actually, yeah... come to think of it, that's a good point. I seem to remember it working best, when I gave it some time to soak. I will have to do a good alcohol cleaning and then try as you've said.
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
A ...I will have to do a good alcohol cleaning and then try as you've said.

If CLP is a cleaner why would you need to use alcohol first? I am not saying you should not just curious. I have seen on other sites where it was suggested nothing other than CLP be used but that was for cleaning guns which is what it was designed for.

EDIT: Excerpt from the CLP website - Penetrates and spreads along metal surfaces into every pit and crevice to undercut contamination and lift residue away where it can be removed.
 
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