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

Appletax

Appletax

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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.

Edit:

WD-40 said via email, "We recommend consulting with the owner's manual or manufacturer of the computer for their expert advice. We no not recommend using our lubricants on computers."

Edit 2: funny, they said via Facebook Messenger, "We have a dry lube spray from the WD-40 Specialist Brand, but would actually recommend the 3-IN-ONE Dry Lube in the drip bottle for your laptop. Both formulas work well but the drip bottle would be easier to apply to your laptop hinge, and neither will deteriorate the materials surrounding it."

---

I bought the gun lube that was recommended by @phaZed

phaZed

[SOLVED] Post in thread 'What's the best laptop hinge lubricant?'

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...
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Last edited:
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.

 
phaZed said:
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.

Click to expand...

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.
 
Appletax said:
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.
Click to expand...
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 said:
Real beeswax furniture spray judiciously applied with a cotton bud on laptop hinges works for me
Click to expand...

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.
 
How often have you had to replace a laptop screen simply because the hinges were too stiff—whether from age or being brand new?

Many users don’t think twice when closing their laptop and grab it by one corner, pulling it shut. This twisting motion puts unnecessary stress on the screen, often leading to cracks or breakage.
 
GTP said:
How often have you had to replace a laptop screen simply because the hinges were too stiff—whether from age or being brand new?

Many users don’t think twice when closing their laptop and grab it by one corner, pulling it shut. This twisting motion puts unnecessary stress on the screen, often leading to cracks or breakage.
Click to expand...
Exactly I got a laptop the other day, the screen was damaged by the same thing. Somehow the user had pushed so hard on the corner that it damaged the LCD. I advised the best way to open a laptop is from the front, he looked at me confused.
 
frase said:
Exactly I got a laptop the other day, the screen was damaged by the same thing. Somehow the user had pushed so hard on the corner that it damaged the LCD. I advised the best way to open a laptop is from the front, he looked at me confused.
Click to expand...
It just amazes me that people can't comprehend the consequences of doing this!
I've done the same thing - tell people to open it from the center and close it from the center - and they look at you like a rabbit in headlights!

One other thing was a common occurrence was they would slam the screen shut but forget about the biro they left at the top of the keyboard!

"It didn't close properly?" "I wont open it to see why, I'll just push it down harder!"
 
My advice is that you open/close a laptop lid in one of two ways:

1. Firmly grip at the center. (Preferred and less prone to accident.)
2. Firmly grip at BOTH corners and evenly lift each side at the same time.

But what you never, ever, ever do with modern, ultra-thin laptops is to grab the lid by one corner or the other to open or close!

I'm still old enough to remember the "built like a tank, and weighed about the same" laptops that could take all kinds of abuse. I still wouldn't go back to those. One has to adjust to changes in hardware, and thinner always loses something in structural integrity.
 
GTP said:
It just amazes me that people can't comprehend the consequences of doing this!
I've done the same thing - tell people to open it from the center and close it from the center - and they look at you like a rabbit in headlights!

One other thing was a common occurrence was they would slam the screen shut but forget about the biro they left at the top of the keyboard!

"It didn't close properly?" "I wont open it to see why, I'll just push it down harder!"
Click to expand...
Yea, it a bit of a Schrödinger's Cat moment in time.
 
I can't say I've ever had cause to lubricate a laptop hinge, they're either working... or they aren't.

I suppose if I had to, I'd try a light machine oil.
 
britechguy said:
2. Firmly grip at BOTH corners and evenly lift each side at the same time.
Click to expand...
The problem with this method (especially on lighter, newer models) is that if the hinges are tight it tends to lift the entire laptop causing the user to let go one corner to push the laptop down.... "Oh no my screen!"

I wholeheartedly agree with point 1 though!
 
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