Scioly.org

I was just wondering what you can use to lubricate the motors. I saw a lot of different things go by at the Westlake invitational and I wondered what teams were using. What works and what doesn't.
Thanks.

Most teams use armor-all which is silicone based, but I've heard son of a gun works just as well. Stay away from petroleum-based lubricants.

And here's the procedure I follow for lubricating motors (and I think it's what a lot of other flyers do too):
1) Put motor in a plastic bag.
2) Spray some lubricant on it.
3) Close bag and wiggle motor around to get lubricant all over.
4) Take motor out of bag and wipe of excess. Not a lot of lubricant is needed on it.
5) Be careful as you wind and load. Lubricated motors are great but can be slippery.

In addition to Armorall or Son of a Gun vynyl protectants (which are just silicone based lubricants), you can use straight silicone oil.
Typical use available at hobby stores is the oil in RC car shocks.
Some free flight vendors carry it. FAI Model Supply (the source of your contest rubber) carries something called Sil-Slick.

But frankly, I'm only on my second bottle of Armorall after 15 years of flying. And the only reason I'm on the second is my daughter couldn't stand the smell of the first bottle after 10 years and made me throw it away!

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI