Tripod Lubricants

Trail Images · Jun 29, 2022

Having had no issues at all with my Feisol CF unit over many years now, all of a sudden the legs are sliding in and out of twist locks harder.....
I took it completely apart and found very little debris as I've always wiped the unit down between trips and seldom used any lubes. I've been leary of overlubing and having a greasy mess in the field usage. However, I'm not sure I'm using a proper lube any longer after more frequent episodes of the legs seemingly dry and hard for sliding.....
Any suggests of proper lubes known to work for a decent time period? Keep in mind the unit is never submerged in water. Thank you in advance for your responses.....

madNbad · Jun 29, 2022

Try Lithium grease. A thin layer should last a long time.

mpirie · Jun 30, 2022

You can buy service parts from Feisol for your tripod.

The kit i ordered came with new sleeves and clamping rings. The only lubricant they supply is a small tub of blue grease to be used on the screw threads at the leg ends.

I'd suggest taking the legs out, one segment at a time and checking for wear or debris in the clamping rings, clean them out and reassemble. Pay attention to the order and orientation of the rings as they come out.

Mike

bdial · Jun 30, 2022

I used paste wax on the legs of a CF tripod I bought used. It worked well, no grease film to attract crud.
Make sure the inside of the locking sleeves are clean too.

Trail Images · Jun 30, 2022

Thank you each for your ideas.
Mike, I should have mentioned that I did take the clamping rings apart and reviewed the washers as you pointed out for debris and wear. I really did not see any issues to speak of. As I'd never really disassembled the unit in the past after many years of usage I watched a Youtube prior and made sure it went back together with the washer orientation correctly.
Leaves me to wonder if I might need to order the washer kit and freshen things up after many years of dry desert outings.
I'll try either the spray lube approach or paste wax idea first. If that only lasts for a few outings than I know more drastic surgery is needed.
Thank you each again......much appreciated.

Sirius Glass · Jun 30, 2022

Besides lithium grease, try Teflon™ lubricant. I do not think using graphite lubricant would be a good way to go.

Pieter12 · Jun 30, 2022

My lubricant of choice is Boeshield T-9. It dries leaving a thin wax-like, waterproof coating. I haven't had any issues with it attracting too much gunk.

Trail Images · Jun 30, 2022

The Teflon lubricant and the Boeshield T-9 both receive excellent ratings from customer reviews....thank you !

grain elevator · Jul 1, 2022

Have you looked for scratches and burrs on the tubes? If there are any, gentle polishing might help.
I really don't think you're supposed to lubricate the tubes, the system relies on friction. Something waxy might be ok friction-wise, but I suspect it could build up in the sleeves and make things sticky over time.

Trail Images · Jul 1, 2022

After further review, the age of the tripod, and my almost weekly usage, I decided to order the Feisol tube washer kits and their recommended lube. I know I spent a lot of time a few months back with a complete disassembly and cleanup that it is now falling more to age & usage service needs. With that said hopefully the new washer kits and lube revives it to a more positive level.
Thanks again for the ideas. In the end I was kicking the can down the road in hopes of finding some miracle "go juice" to solve an item that requires surgery at this point.

Dan Daniel · Jul 2, 2022

Not sure if I should even mention this, but what the heck. Pledge, Lemon Pledge furniture polish. For the legs only. Spray some on a rag and wipe down the legs. Then wipe again with a dry rag. Cleans more than anything; lube on the legs isn't how tripods really work.

To be clear, this is for cleaning the legs. NOT for opening up the locks, breaking them down to clean and relube. There I use a silocon grease, lightly. But what Feisol supplies should be used, of course.

Nice to hear that your Feisol is holding up so well. I've had mine for a decade or more with no problems, but I don't use it heavily. I've done a couple of full breakdowns, more as a preventative becasue I've had no issues except thinking that legs were dirty at times. Pledge took care of that.

Dirb9 · Jul 2, 2022

Trail Images said:
After further review, the age of the tripod, and my almost weekly usage, I decided to order the Feisol tube washer kits and their recommended lube. I know I spent a lot of time a few months back with a complete disassembly and cleanup that it is now falling more to age & usage service needs. With that said hopefully the new washer kits and lube revives it to a more positive level.
Thanks again for the ideas. In the end I was kicking the can down the road in hopes of finding some miracle "go juice" to solve an item that requires surgery at this point.

FYI, the OEM Gitzo grease is just a (good quality) NLGI#2 white lithium grease, I'd expect Feisol to be very similar. The grease is just for the locks/threads (as Dan Daniel mentioned), not the legs/shafts. I've occasionally found a buildup of dirt in the clamp washers will cause stiff leg movement; cleaning will resolve the issue if that is the problem.

Trail Images · Jul 2, 2022

Good points again, Dan & Dirb9. The Pledge leg cleaning is a good idea. As many have mentioned the lube inside the locks and not the legs is the way to go. I assume the Feisol lube is OEM used during original production. Yes, my Feisol has been the best of my tripods and hopefully the TLC will payoff in the end. I have the Induro BHLS 3 ballhead and Feisol panning base which works perfectly for my style of work.

snusmumriken · Jul 2, 2022

Be sparing with whatever lube you use. I once overdid it on a lovely German 1960s tripod (forget the make), and created self-collapsing legs. Had to dismantle the whole thing to clean the grease off again. There were a surprising number of parts.

wiltw · Jul 2, 2022

Any 'grease' will leave a coating that picks up dust and dirt! Clean surfaces need not be lubricated.

S\If you need a lubricant, simply spray the legs with a light coating of silicon spray, then wipe the leg sections with a cloth so the silicon coats the sections without gaps, and let dry.

Steve Goldstein · Jul 4, 2022

Speaking of tripod grease...

B&H sells two small tubes of Gitzo grease for USD39.98. The Feisol web site shows 1oz us Lucas Marine Grease for USD2.49. Just saying...

Trail Images · Jul 5, 2022

Steve Goldstein said:
Speaking of tripod grease...

B&H sells two small tubes of Gitzo grease for USD39.98. The Feisol web site shows 1oz us Lucas Marine Grease for USD2.49. Just saying...

Thank you, Steve. I did buy the Feisol locking washer kit and their Lucas Marine Grease too. Although the washers did not look too bad when I serviced the unit a few months back it did not last long even with a light lithium grease applied to those areas only. Anyway, hopefully the fresh washers for the twist locks solves the issue for a much longer period of time then just a few months.

Dan Daniel · Jul 5, 2022

Steve Goldstein said:
Speaking of tripod grease...

B&H sells two small tubes of Gitzo grease for USD39.98.

Wow.

Just... wow.

I need to approach Leitz with this special polish/preservative for Vulcanite and later materials. It will only take three specially packaged tubes to do one camera. At $74 a tube, only the discerning will know of its special qualities. Be sure to also acquire the applicator pads at only $12 each (one per tube to avoid contamination)

Now I just need to see if my local store has a tub of Crisco and a box of kleenex on the shelves

wiltw · Jul 6, 2022

Just found this article by Gitzo user.

Gitzo Tripod Maintenance Guide

Many nature photographers prefer Gitzo carbon fiber tripods, which are known for their durability and lighter weight. They are built to last though years of use, especially

www.naturescapes.net

Both this and instructions from RRS say to only put grease on the lock threads, not on the legs. The Gitzo grease dries, and does not leave behind a coating which accumulates dirt/grit.

Steve Goldstein · Jul 6, 2022

wiltw said:
<snip>

Both this and instructions from RRS say to only put grease on the lock threads, not on the legs. The Gitzo grease dries, and does not leave behind a coating which accumulates dirt/grit. </snip>

Has anyone ever used bicylcle chain lube like Pedro's? I believe it dries like the Gitzo grease, but I don't know if it works well under high pressures like the Lucas Marine Grease that Feisol sells.

Fujicaman1957 · Aug 29, 2022

Harbor Freight Tools has Teflon grease in tube for about 6-7 $$.

lxdude · Sep 1, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
Besides lithium grease, try Teflon™ lubricant. I do not think using graphite lubricant would be a good way to go.

Feisol on their website recommends "a mild grease or graphite". In the manual, they recommend "Marine Grease" on the threads of the locks.

Patrick Robert James · Sep 1, 2022

Steve Goldstein said:
Has anyone ever used bicylcle chain lube like Pedro's? I believe it dries like the Gitzo grease, but I don't know if it works well under high pressures like the Lucas Marine Grease that Feisol sells.

I use White Lightning Easy Lube for bicycle chains. It is a dry lube, same as Pedros I think. Goes on wet then dries into a wax. Works great. No muss, no fuss. If it can handle the pressure of a bicycle chain... I think the last time I cleaned the threads on my Gitzo must have been at least 5 years ago. It is still smooth as butter. Don't remember if I coated the legs with wax or anything. I might have.

ColdEye · Sep 2, 2022

I used Boeshield T9 on mine. Tried graphite lubricant too (powder), its decent. I like T9 better.

DREW WILEY · Sep 2, 2022

I'd be cautious using lubes. How does the surface of the graphite feel? Sometimes a VERY fine superficial polishing works better - like a gray or white Scotchbrite pad, or a 1000-grit wet-dry sandpaper (not 100 grit !!). But if possible, inspect the inner tube seals, where there might be grime buildup more than on the legs themselves. Graphite powder or liquid can be messy and get on things you don't want it to. Some teflon spray lubes are suitable IF they quickly dry and leave a very thin film which stays put, and not a residual powder. I use something like that on the gearing of my 8X10 camera. And with my own big Feisol CF tripod, I'm conscientious to hose it well off after every outing, especially if I've been around salt water, sand, or sticky clay mud. I let the legs thoroughly dry extended before compacting it again, just like I do with any other telescoping tripod. So far, the locking threads themselves have posed no issues.

Bike chain lube? - Horrors !!! %$$*(&###

Tripod Lubricants

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