[REQUEST] What's the best laptop hinge lubricant?

[Appletax]

I am searching for a dry lubricant that is excellent for lubricating laptop hinges. I have read that dry silicone lubricant is good. One that will not deteriorate plastic. It needs to be truly dry where it doesn't hold onto dirt. I thought the 3-in-1 Oil dry lubricant dropper would be nice, but the comments state it collects dirt. It leaves an oily residue. I like the idea of squeezing out a drop of lube rather than spraying it. I also read that some dry lube sprays are messy. I would like to have good control over where the lube goes.

What do you recommend?

I see that WD-40 makes a quick drying silicone lubricant. I emailed them asking if it would be a good option, but have yet to hear from them. They also make a dry lubricant, which does not specify the chemical used.

 

[phaZed]

I've had fairly good luck with Clenzoil and Lucas CLP - both gun cleaner/lubricate/protect products. The Clenzoil comes in a needle-oiler that is great for tiny area application.

Because these are made for firearms, they are very low in the dust-attraction category and great for lubrication, for obvious reasons. I've also never had a problem with them on plastics, but I am careful to only apply to where it needs to be - assuming that that may be related to being applied to polymer frames.

https://www.amazon.com/CLENZOIL-Cleaner-Lubricant-Protectant-Precision/dp/B013IGSL6W?crid=MI4SSRHEC4AZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kAescVbhEA6TV8voqOZhueNlBKmKclBTquv_bxOaptb4NyFR6W-agmZwQUDv2zPgTI2yfgNI9asrMuHy8AWBePD88rnMyAgPXUebb4Upoa_k9jzqJgQ81bGbDjD-B0qzTUr8s120t0A7rnjGOxPTiCVoTwQTXVMtDao_q1CgupqFZTNVstcakpGtBu53vgOSXNm0hKjMq-AiYHksxe9XVYQAcCshodjFUUw__WDUnnw.d-le3VYrVKOa5yYC6RofdhBNitBAr-brDeUmZRtEcdQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=clenzoil&qid=1743363522&sprefix=clenzoil%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-2&th=1

 

[Appletax]

I've had fairly good luck with Clenzoil and Lucas CLP - both gun cleaner/lubricate/protect products. The Clenzoil comes in a needle-oiler that is great for tiny area application.

Because these are made for firearms, they are very low in the dust-attraction category and great for lubrication, for obvious reasons. I've also never had a problem with them on plastics, but I am careful to only apply to where it needs to be - assuming that that may be related to being applied to polymer frames.

https://www.amazon.com/CLENZOIL-Cleaner-Lubricant-Protectant-Precision/dp/B013IGSL6W?crid=MI4SSRHEC4AZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kAescVbhEA6TV8voqOZhueNlBKmKclBTquv_bxOaptb4NyFR6W-agmZwQUDv2zPgTI2yfgNI9asrMuHy8AWBePD88rnMyAgPXUebb4Upoa_k9jzqJgQ81bGbDjD-B0qzTUr8s120t0A7rnjGOxPTiCVoTwQTXVMtDao_q1CgupqFZTNVstcakpGtBu53vgOSXNm0hKjMq-AiYHksxe9XVYQAcCshodjFUUw__WDUnnw.d-le3VYrVKOa5yYC6RofdhBNitBAr-brDeUmZRtEcdQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=clenzoil&qid=1743363522&sprefix=clenzoil%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-2&th=1

That looks like a nice possible solution. I wonder if it matters that it's not a dry lube. I suppose if only a small amount is applied that it shouldn't leak out onto the motherboard.

 

[phaZed]

That looks like a nice possible solution. I wonder if it matters that it's not a dry lube. I suppose if only a small amount is applied that it shouldn't leak out onto the motherboard.

In how I use it, I apply, then wipe all surface oil off. So the only bit that remains is what got "rubbed in" between the compressed washers of the hinge.

 

[Gegen Stück]

Real beeswax furniture spray judiciously applied with a cotton bud on laptop hinges works for me. Not tried it on them funky yoga devices.

 

[britechguy]

Real beeswax furniture spray judiciously applied with a cotton bud on laptop hinges works for me

Which makes perfect sense.

For myself, I don't worry about dust accumulation and will use something like silicone plumbers grease, after a spritz or swab applied bit of silicone lubricant, because it seals that in and lubricates itself. And that's a *thin* surface coat of the grease, not a big blob.

If I can manage to back off the nuts on really insanely stiff hinges, I'll do that, too. I want something stiff enough to hold the screen angle chosen and to stay that way over time. Any stiffer is no help at all, and almost invariably leads to breakage.