Plastic hinge lube

[Recoveryman]

I'm looking for a good, not messy lube for laptop hinges. Mine are getting a little stiff after a few years of use. I had a previous laptop with a broken hinge as a result of stiff hinges. What say you? Spray silicone hasn't worked too well on previous plastic parts. Don't want to used something with oil such as WD40.
Recoveryman

 

[Byrdnyrd]

Fluid Film! The Paste, not the spray!! Stuff is awesome!

 

[couch67]

yes I think you have to stay away from any spray lubes as the propellent is normally not good for plastics. Keyboard lube is good for this kind of thing.

 

[Byrdnyrd]

You could also use forehead grease!!

 

[Danno1]

.

Synco SuperLube. You can get it at Home Depot, Harbor Freight, etc.

.

 

[PCustoms]

Any chance you can clean the hinges?

I've had some old laptops and can't say I've ever needed to grease the hinge...

 

[Recoveryman]

Any chance you can clean the hinges?

I've had some old laptops and can't say I've ever needed to grease the hinge...

Good question, I was hoping to avoid disassembly, but when push comes to shove, we may need to go into it. Thanks for the idea.
Recoveryman

 

[no704]

Graphite powder?

 

[BurtEggley]

no to graphite power. Never use it around electronic equipment. It is incredibly conductive. I would consider clear (sort of opaque) silicone grease packed in with a small brush or q-tip, even a toothpick. Like what goes on an o-ring. If you don't have any, the small containers for plumbing are probably the least costly. Make sure it says silicone on it because some plumber greases are oil based. That will eventually harden. If you have some Sil-Glyde around for brake caliper pins, it will work since it is silicone based. Or you can try applying ONE drop of mineral oil with a toothpick.

 

[Recoveryman]

no to graphite power. Never use it around electronic equipment. It is incredibly conductive. I would consider clear (sort of opaque) silicone grease packed in with a small brush or q-tip, even a toothpick. Like what goes on an o-ring. If you don't have any, the small containers for plumbing are probably the least costly. Make sure it says silicone on it because some plumber greases are oil based. That will eventually harden. If you have some Sil-Glyde around for brake caliper pins, it will work since it is silicone based. Or you can try applying ONE drop of mineral oil with a toothpick.

Good info about the graphite powder. I do have a bit of the silcone grease that came with some plumbing stuff and will try a small amount of that. I want to thank everyone for their contributions, that is what makes this an excellent forum.
Recoveryman

 

[Byrdnyrd]

Your Laptop Hinge most likely looks like this, they are typically die cast Zinc engineered with a specific torque so the screen doesn’t flop.





As mentioned a single drop of oil may help.

Cheers,
BN

 

[rawen2]

What you're describing is somewhat common with HP laptops as I found out. I used silicone grease. I also loosened up the nylock nuts (just a little) that control the spring pressure on the detents that hold the screen in the closed position. It was necessary to remove the bottom cover of the laptop to get access.

 

[finn]

I’ve been using a product called SIL Glyde for hinges and rollers. It’s a synthetic silicone grease. I stumbled on it when looking for tips on rebuilding window regulators for my 67 Mustang.

Before I used Superlube. The SIL Glyde is a heavier viscosity than Superlube.

The last two tubes of Superlube came from Harbor Freight. I didn’t see it there last time, but I was’t looking, either. I‘m pretty sure Superlube is the same thing that’s sold as plumber‘s grease, but in al larger tube and much cheaper per oz than Plumber’s grease. They’re both food grade, but I don’t know if the SYL Glyde is.

Neither attracts dirt like spray lithium grease does, and seem safe with plastics.