PB Blaster Lubricant

[noe-place]

I can't recall the gentleman's name but I had to post a note to thank him for saving me some money. Both my black and gray water valves had become very, very hard to pull out to dump the tanks so I asked the RV Net members for advice. An enterprising member suggested I try PB Blaster which I found at Lowe's. First application didn't produce great results so I waited a bit and sprayed them again and they began to loosen up a bit. By the third application they are opening and closing just like new. I'll be keeping a can in my RV from now on.

[Wadcutter]

Ron3rd wrote:
To the OP, yes, the valve has a rubber seal on it so use caution what you spray on it. Some use a light film of Vaseline.

Vaseline is petroleum based and will dissolve most rubber seals.

[Ron3rd]

To the OP, yes, the valve has a rubber seal on it so use caution what you spray on it. Some use a light film of Vaseline.

[westend]

Carb Cleaner wrote:

blw2 wrote:
WD is also not a very good penetrator....

But my question re. this trhead....
Don't thse knife valves have some sort of elastomer (rubber) seal?
I wonder if it is solvent friendly?

I wondered about that, too, so I use silicone spray. I hit my plastic, hard to rotate, fresh water tank drain valve while I'm under there.
A very inexpensive and highly effective penetrating oil is a 50/50 mix of automatic transmission fluid and acetone. A vinegar-dressing squeeze bottle or mustard bottle work well as a delivery device.

This is a good caution to those that spray WD-40 over everything. WD-40 will deteriorate some rubbers. I don't know if the rubber in these tank valves are susceptible but may be. It's a long story but I almost lost my life due to WD-40 and the loss of some rubber seals.

AFAIK, WD-40 is still formulated using coconut oil and petroleum solvents. It probably contains some other types of light oil, also.

I have some PB Blaster on the shelf. It works pretty good for what it's intended for.

[Carb_Cleaner]

blw2 wrote:
WD is also not a very good penetrator....

But my question re. this trhead....
Don't thse knife valves have some sort of elastomer (rubber) seal?
I wonder if it is solvent friendly?

I wondered about that, too, so I use silicone spray. I hit my plastic, hard to rotate, fresh water tank drain valve while I'm under there.
A very inexpensive and highly effective penetrating oil is a 50/50 mix of automatic transmission fluid and acetone. A vinegar-dressing squeeze bottle or mustard bottle work well as a delivery device.

[noe-place]

Thanks again and I forgot to add that I also used PB on one the RV's door hinges that had developed a loud squeak. Blaster eliminated that problem instantly as well.

[coolbreeze01]

When my valves got hard to push/pull, WD worked instantly. Good to know PB also works.

[Old-Biscuit]

Duck wrote:

nomad297 wrote:

Raymon wrote:
WD40 is actually a "water displacement" agent. That is what the "WD" stands for. It provides little if any lubrication.

Ray

This is so true, but it is hopeless trying to convince people here.

Bruce

It does have some lubricity to it. Look at the can the next time you go to Home Depot or Ace.
Don

Right from the WD 40 Website.....LINK

Myth: WD-40 Multi-Use Product is not really a lubricant.
Fact:
While the “W-D” in WD-40 stands for Water Displacement, WD-40 Multi-Use Product is a unique, special blend of lubricants. The product’s formulation also contains anti-corrosion agents and ingredients for penetration, water displacement and soil removal.

[Duck]

nomad297 wrote:

Raymon wrote:
WD40 is actually a "water displacement" agent. That is what the "WD" stands for. It provides little if any lubrication.

Ray

This is so true, but it is hopeless trying to convince people here.

Bruce

It does have some lubricity to it. Look at the can the next time you go to Home Depot or Ace.
Don

[cmoecmoe]

PB Blaster also makes a general purpose lubricant called PB50. It is a much better product than WD40.

PB50 Link

Check out their other products as well on their web site. I have been pleased with all of the products I have tried.

Blaster Products

~ Craig

[blw2]

WD is also not a very good penetrator....

But my question re. this trhead....
Don't thse knife valves have some sort of elastomer (rubber) seal?
I wonder if it is solvent friendly?

[wa8yxm]

PB-Blaster and Cycle Break-away are the two best penetrating oils I have ever used. They penetrate through rust and crud better than just about everything non destructive.

HOWEVER they are NOT oils for lubricating (long term) so you need to use something else to keep things working smooth.

[dcmac214]

Ron3rd wrote:
silicone spray

x2
Love silicone lubes. Probly most useful all-around lube you can use. Available in spray & liquid applications.

[Ron3rd]

Love the smell of PB Blaster in the morning!

Yes, it's good stuff, but silicone spray works great on the valves too. Just about any lubricant will work.

[darsben]

Your welcome and thanks for letting us know the outcome. To often people get a resolution to their problem and cannot post the solution because the thread has been closed.