Lubricant for Turnbuckles - What works best

[jonb]

What is the recommended lubricant for turnbuckles?
So far I have a list including:
dry molybdenum
white teflon grease
anhydrous lanolin

Any insight into the pros/cons of the above (or other options) would be appreciated along with possible sources of these lubes.

[sailingdog]

Any of those should work fairly well. The main issue with turnbuckles, especially stainless steel ones, is galling and seizing.

[AboardIndigo]

Originally Posted by jonb

What is the recommended lubricant for turnbuckles?
So far I have a list including:
dry molybdenum
white teflon grease
anhydrous lanolin

Any insight into the pros/cons of the above (or other options) would be appreciated along with possible sources of these lubes.

I use Lanacote. It's cheap, works well, and I've barely scratched the surface of the 4 ounce jar I bought for $10 or so (8 x 1/4" turnbuckles).

The only thing I don't like about it is that early/late in the season it hardens up and makes turning the turnbuckles by hand harder than in the heat of the summer (at least here in Niagara - you'd probably find the same thing in Ottawa).

[harbin2]

I got a tube of lanolin at Target. It's in the baby section (for mom's who are nursing).

[sailingdog]

If it isn't anhydrous lanolin, don't use it on a boat. Normal lanolin will probably cause more problems than it solves.

Originally Posted by harbin2

I got a tube of lanolin at Target. It's in the baby section (for mom's who are nursing).

[jonb]

What about dry graphite lubricant?
Would it address the issues with galling / seizing with ss turnbuckles?

[sailingdog]

I would hesitate to use dry graphite lubricant on a boat. Graphite is very high on the anodic scale, and as such can cause galvanic corrosion if it is in close contact to bronze, stainless steel or aluminum and salt water.

[Omatako]

Try Tefgel

Look here TEF-GEL - Ultra safety systems - Home page

I use it on everything, good stuff.

[knothead]

Any kind of grease like Lanacote or a Teflon grease works well. I don't see any advantages to using a dry lube. Especially on closed body turnbuckles. You want something that stays greasy and you want to be sure to exercise the turnbuckles once in a while.