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*A cleaner with d-limonene<ref> https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/magic-lube-clean-up.191851/post-1690485</ref> | *A cleaner with d-limonene<ref> https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/magic-lube-clean-up.191851/post-1690485</ref> | ||
| − | ==Why | + | ==Why Do O-Rings Need to be Lubed?== |
| − | O-ring lube allows the three surfaces involved (the ring and the two components it's sealing together) to slide together as you tighten things up. Without it, the ring will pinch and bind and deform. It's the deformation that causes the leaks. And the premature wear. So the lube is not really adding to the sealing properties of the ring, rather it allows the ring to retain its correct shape and do its job. And in that way it can lengthen the ring's life. Cleaning the ring and the surfaces it touches is important because a chunk of dirt can also deform the ring and cause a leak. | + | O-ring lube allows the three surfaces involved (the ring and the two components it's sealing together) to slide together as you tighten things up.<ref>https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/gaskets-and-o-rings-and-lube-oh-my.197543/post-1742845</ref> Without it, the ring will pinch and bind and deform. It's the deformation that causes the leaks. And the premature wear. So the lube is not really adding to the sealing properties of the ring, rather it allows the ring to retain its correct shape and do its job. And in that way it can lengthen the ring's life. Cleaning the ring and the surfaces it touches is important because a chunk of dirt can also deform the ring and cause a leak. |
==How Much Should a Fitting With an O-Ring be Tightened?== | ==How Much Should a Fitting With an O-Ring be Tightened?== | ||
Revision as of 21:00, 30 January 2020
Pool Lube
Pool Lube or O-Ring Lube should be used on gaskets and o-rings in filters, pump basket lids and valves around the pool.
MagicLube II (red label with silicone, not original blue label with teflon) or Boss 820 are recommended products.
There are many other good products sold. It should be a silicone based, non-PTFE lubricant.[1]
Never use petroleum products, such as Vaseline, on anything rubber.
Lubing Pump Lid O-Ring
- remove the o-ring and clean it with a clean rag.
- Use the same rag to clean the channel. Not spotless, just to insure there is no grime or dirt that can cause issues.
- Use liberal amount of pool lube, use your index finger and thumb to get a good coverage of lube on the o-ring.
- Install o-ring and pump basket.
- Clean lube off hands.
Cleaning Lube Off Hands
- Wear disposable gloves
- Use a good grease-cutting dishwashing detergent, like Dawn for washing your hands. Then apply a light hand cream like Gold Bond, because Dawn dries the dickens out of your skin.
- A cleaner with d-limonene[2]
Why Do O-Rings Need to be Lubed?
O-ring lube allows the three surfaces involved (the ring and the two components it's sealing together) to slide together as you tighten things up.[3] Without it, the ring will pinch and bind and deform. It's the deformation that causes the leaks. And the premature wear. So the lube is not really adding to the sealing properties of the ring, rather it allows the ring to retain its correct shape and do its job. And in that way it can lengthen the ring's life. Cleaning the ring and the surfaces it touches is important because a chunk of dirt can also deform the ring and cause a leak.
How Much Should a Fitting With an O-Ring be Tightened?
It's important not to over-tighten an o-ring. Doing so can cause it to leak, because that can also deform the ring. Generally, fittings with o-rings only need to be "hand tight." You might need a wrench to loosen such a fitting, but you shouldn't use a wrench to put it back together if you can avoid it. If your hands are not strong enough to tighten a fitting enough, then you can gently use a wrench, but only to make the fitting a bit more snug than you could with your hands. You don't crank the fitting down.
Tips
- Never pull the O-ring through your fingers. Always push it through your fingers. Pulling stretches the O-ring and it ends up being too big
.
