Best way to make sure your slideout extends smoothly

[howardwheeler]

I have some heavy slides powered by Powergear rack and pinion mechanisms (I think that's what you call them). The gear and metal rack that goes in and out seems clean and works good. But the wiper seals are pretty tight and there's a lot of pressure on the sides of the slides. I've sprayed the rubber wipers with Thedford's seal conditioner which seems to be some kind of mineral oil. What about silicone spray on the sides of the slideout? Or would it be best to just polish them? I want the seal to slide more easily if possible.

[RJsfishin]

I refuse to use any of that cheap stuff ! I bought a $13 can of superduty slide spray right from the RV place here in QZS AZ. Maybe not the smartest decision, but it worked great 🙂

[tandkj]

Duck wrote:

tandkj wrote:
Baby powder inside and out

Does the baby powder stay on for any length of time or do you need to repeat it every few weeks?
Don

It allows the slides to move smoothly. The powder will stay on the inside of the rubber for some time. If they rubbers try to grab apply another application.

[BFL13]

fpresto wrote:
If you are talking about the seals they are accessed from the inside with the slide partly retracted and talcum powder works great. Baby powder is just talcum powder with a scent added. If you are talking about the wipers on the outside then silicone or 303 works well. Many people confuse the seals which seal out air and water with the wipers which clean the slide when it retracts.

So what keeps it sealed when the slide is in?

I tried silicone on the wipers outside and all it did was make a black mess on the white fibreglass ends of the slide. Took a while to get that cleaned up.

I find the inside foam whatever seals on the slide and the trailer itself stick together after the slide has been out a while, and are hard to break apart on starting to bring the slide in, but never have any trouble getting the slide to go out.

It has to work hardest at the beginning of coming in where it has to come up over the hump at the outside edge of the main floor. Going out and then down is easy.

[time2roll]

I use Slip Plate brand spray on graphite lube for the rack and pinion.
Drys quickly to a dull gray finish. Will not attract dirt etc.
Runs much smoother. Seems to protect against rust also.

[fpresto]

If you are talking about the seals they are accessed from the inside with the slide partly retracted and talcum powder works great. Baby powder is just talcum powder with a scent added. If you are talking about the wipers on the outside then silicone or 303 works well. Many people confuse the seals which seal out air and water with the wipers which clean the slide when it retracts.

[Duck]

tandkj wrote:
Baby powder inside and out

Does the baby powder stay on for any length of time or do you need to repeat it every few weeks?
Don

[John___Angela]

Clean and wax the sides. Spray the slide seals themselves with slide seal maintainer. Spray the rack occasionally with slide dry lube. I wouldn't put baby powder on the side of my coach.

[howardwheeler]

I would have never guessed baby powder but I'll try it. How does it stick to the sides?

[imgoin4it]

Lots of folks say baby powder. Corn starch will work just as well for the people who no longer have babies around.

[tandkj]

Baby powder inside and out

[old_guy]

newmar recommends baby powder. take a sock and put powder on it and go around the seals and then wipe it down with a clean sock. add more powder as needed. some slide makers recommend sprays, but that just attracts dirt

[Old-Biscuit]

Talcum powder

[WyoTraveler]

I use dry silicon lubricant