Hi,
As a follow up to this and Ron's note, here is the information from the
MSDS for MacLube-444 (from
www.globalspec.com, for which one has to
register):
Product Category: Industrial Lubricants
Type: Solid or Dry Film Lubricant
Functions: Lubricant; Sealing, Intrusion Barrier, Seal Forming or
Sealant; Release Agent or Mold Release; Corrosion Inhibiting or Rust
Preventative
Properties:
Specific Gravity: 1.32 specific gravity
Use Temperature: ? to 550 F (? to 288 C)
Composition / Chemistry: Synthetic or Semi-synthetic; Fluoropolymer /
PTFE (e.g., Teflon?); Molybdenum or Metal Sulphide
Industry Applications: Automotive or Transportation; Process Equipment,
Tanks, Reactor or Lines
I'm including the to note Fred's comment re: the leftover "white
substance" when the product is allowed to dry being "very much like what
is used by Steinway for impregnating action centers". This is a yes and
no. What Steinway uses is flake PTFE suspended in toluol (unless
they've been forced to switch by the EPA), though methanol works nearly
as well. The difference is that, as Ron noted, the MacLube 444 also
includes Molybdenum (or Metal) Sulphide.
A (very) quick check of the above site reveals that this combination of
PTFE and Molybdenum Sulphide are present in most (not all) McLube
products, without regard to application method. What varies are
(mostly) the carriers/media in which the lubricant, itself, is suspended.
Kind regards.
Horace
On 9/2/2015 10:52 AM, Kevin Fortenberry via Piano Technicians Guild wrote:
> Please do not forward this message due to Auto Login.
>
>
> Fred, I could not agree more with this post. Although I mentioned the "dobber" that come in the small Schaff bottle of McLube 444, a pipe cleaner sounds MUCH more accurate. This dry-film lubricant is one that I just can't do without anymore.
>
>
> Kevin
>
> ------------------------------
> Kevin Fortenberry
> Registered Piano Technician
> Lubbock TX
> 806-778-3962
> ------------------------------
>
> -------------------------------------------
> Original Message:
> Sent: 09-02-2015 12:28
> From: Fred Sturm
> Subject: Damper guide bushings, & Lubricants
>
>
>
>
> I stay away from spray application of any lubricant. In the first place, I don't want to put propellant and vehicle (solvent) into the air, but the main thing is that I want to control where the material goes. For McLube 444, I just use a pipe cleaner, bend the end back on itself (about 3/4"). For things like key pins, the bend straddles the pin, and puts it right where I want it, takes less than 10 minutes for the whole set, probably less than five (haven't timed it). The bent pipe cleaner can be used flat to paint McLube on things like capstans, glide bolts, front bottom edge of keyframes, side of frame where it bears on the return spring, etc.
>
>
> This method minimizes the amount of material used, which minimizes any environmental hazards. McLube 444 sticks pretty well to metal and remains a very slick surface for wood, without attracting dirt, glazing, etc. I think a lot of people have found problems because of spraying, and having it get into felt that should remain supple (like key bushings). Yes, it will harden felt, it dries hard. Dry some in a bottle cap and find out what is left: a white substance much like what is used by Steinway for impregnating action centers.
>
>
> Protek CLP (I think the acronym is CleanLubricatePenetrate) or ProLube don't dry, or at least it takes a very long time. (I do remember the spout on my valve spout oiler I use exclusively for CLP becoming clogged, and in cleaning it out I found bits of solid similar to dried McLube. But this was after years).
>
> ------------------------------
> Fred Sturm
> University of New Mexico
>
fssturm@unm.edu>
http://fredsturm.net>
http://www.artoftuning.com> "We either make ourselves happy or miserable. The amount of work is the same." - Carlos Casteneda
> ------------------------------
>
> -------------------------------------------
> Original Message:
> Sent: 09-02-2015 11:52
> From: Ronald Nossaman
> Subject: Damper guide bushings, & Lubricants
>
> McLube has a number of formulations, the stuff it leaves on the surface
> is molybdenum disulfide and a teflon based mix. That's the mold release.
> The rest is just the delivery system for it. I used to use it, but
> haven't for many years.
> Ron N
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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Original Message------
Fred, I could not agree more with this post. Although I mentioned the "dobber" that come in the small Schaff bottle of McLube 444, a pipe cleaner sounds MUCH more accurate. This dry-film lubricant is one that I just can't do without anymore.
Kevin
------------------------------
Kevin Fortenberry
Registered Piano Technician
Lubbock TX
806-778-3962
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 09-02-2015 12:28
From: Fred Sturm
Subject: Damper guide bushings, & Lubricants
I stay away from spray application of any lubricant. In the first place, I don't want to put propellant and vehicle (solvent) into the air, but the main thing is that I want to control where the material goes. For McLube 444, I just use a pipe cleaner, bend the end back on itself (about 3/4"). For things like key pins, the bend straddles the pin, and puts it right where I want it, takes less than 10 minutes for the whole set, probably less than five (haven't timed it). The bent pipe cleaner can be used flat to paint McLube on things like capstans, glide bolts, front bottom edge of keyframes, side of frame where it bears on the return spring, etc.
This method minimizes the amount of material used, which minimizes any environmental hazards. McLube 444 sticks pretty well to metal and remains a very slick surface for wood, without attracting dirt, glazing, etc. I think a lot of people have found problems because of spraying, and having it get into felt that should remain supple (like key bushings). Yes, it will harden felt, it dries hard. Dry some in a bottle cap and find out what is left: a white substance much like what is used by Steinway for impregnating action centers.
Protek CLP (I think the acronym is CleanLubricatePenetrate) or ProLube don't dry, or at least it takes a very long time. (I do remember the spout on my valve spout oiler I use exclusively for CLP becoming clogged, and in cleaning it out I found bits of solid similar to dried McLube. But this was after years).
------------------------------
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico
fssturm@unm.edu
http://fredsturm.net
http://www.artoftuning.com
"We either make ourselves happy or miserable. The amount of work is the same." - Carlos Casteneda
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 09-02-2015 11:52
From: Ronald Nossaman
Subject: Damper guide bushings, & Lubricants
McLube has a number of formulations, the stuff it leaves on the surface
is molybdenum disulfide and a teflon based mix. That's the mold release.
The rest is just the delivery system for it. I used to use it, but
haven't for many years.
Ron N