PackerBacker wrote:
I'd be wondering why there is a film of hydraulic fluid on them to begin with, they really should be 'dry' unless they have been intentionally sprayed.
As mentioned already, a spray of silicon lube then wipe them down is what I would recommend. It's what my owner's manual states to do.
The seals are designed to weep a bit of fluid when extended.
Shock absorber seals are also.
I wipe mine with automatic transmission fluid if they are going to be extended for long time, and clean them also with ATF prior to retracting them. In my example, I'm talking about a long time.... like all winter she stays up on the jacks.