I can't get my windows to open easily
August 11, 2022 1:39 PM Subscribe
How should I lubricate double-hung windows?
We have double-hung windows in our condo, and while they do open and close, they don't do so without a ludicrous amount of effort. The windows are in good shape, about 20 years old, and not painted shut or otherwise obstructed. They're double paned if that matters, wood framed, and they slide up and down on a metal track.
What can I use to lubricate the track, so that the windows open and close more easily?
We have double-hung windows in our condo, and while they do open and close, they don't do so without a ludicrous amount of effort. The windows are in good shape, about 20 years old, and not painted shut or otherwise obstructed. They're double paned if that matters, wood framed, and they slide up and down on a metal track.
What can I use to lubricate the track, so that the windows open and close more easily?
Do not use WD-40. It's a penetrating oil and this is not what it's for.
The Spruce recommends wax.
I'd suggest beeswax.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 1:57 PM on August 11, 2022 [8 favorites]
The Spruce recommends wax.
I'd suggest beeswax.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 1:57 PM on August 11, 2022 [8 favorites]
Wax is traditional. I used to recommend Johnson's paste wax but they stopped making it last year though you might be able to find some NOS. Really any floor wax with significant carnuba content would work.
posted by Mitheral at 2:22 PM on August 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Mitheral at 2:22 PM on August 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
Check with your hardware store for a chunk of natural beeswax -- it's probably with the paints, but comes as a small block you can rub on the window frame like a bar of soap.
Incidentally, I seem to recall "home tips" from the 1970s or earlier saying a bar of soap works to lubricate window frames as well.
Your picture makes me think it's originally graphite lubricated, with the dark around where the wood touches the metal; is it possible you've cleaned the rails, thus removing the graphite? Graphite is also supplied by your local hardware store, usually in a bottle with a pointed dispenser you squeeze to 'puff' the graphite powder where you need it.
posted by AzraelBrown at 2:49 PM on August 11, 2022 [2 favorites]
Incidentally, I seem to recall "home tips" from the 1970s or earlier saying a bar of soap works to lubricate window frames as well.
Your picture makes me think it's originally graphite lubricated, with the dark around where the wood touches the metal; is it possible you've cleaned the rails, thus removing the graphite? Graphite is also supplied by your local hardware store, usually in a bottle with a pointed dispenser you squeeze to 'puff' the graphite powder where you need it.
posted by AzraelBrown at 2:49 PM on August 11, 2022 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: @AzraelBrown - nope, we have not cleaned the rails. Would graphite be instead of or as an addition to the beeswax?
posted by pdb at 3:18 PM on August 11, 2022
posted by pdb at 3:18 PM on August 11, 2022
Bees wax is nice but you can test with any old paraffin candle you have around, and they are often a good shape for it too.
posted by SaltySalticid at 4:15 PM on August 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by SaltySalticid at 4:15 PM on August 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
Another option for applying wax to the rails might be Clean Ride. It's wax in a petroleum solvent. Once the solvent dries (stinky, flammable; maybe open a window ...) it leaves a very thin coating of wax. It's very runny, and gets into tiny crevices quickly
posted by scruss at 5:17 PM on August 11, 2022
posted by scruss at 5:17 PM on August 11, 2022
At a pinch, you can rub a bar of soap on sticking wood surfaces. Or the end of an old candle.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 5:30 PM on August 11, 2022
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 5:30 PM on August 11, 2022
Graphite dry lubricant is a good choice. Unlike wax, dust won't cling to it, so the lubrication should remain effective longer.
posted by SPrintF at 5:35 PM on August 11, 2022
posted by SPrintF at 5:35 PM on August 11, 2022
Graphite would be instead of wax, pick one lubricant and go with it. As sprintf said, graphite has different properties but will work fine, it's sold specifically as a lubricant.
posted by AzraelBrown at 5:55 PM on August 11, 2022
posted by AzraelBrown at 5:55 PM on August 11, 2022
Graphite. If the metal is a bit pitted it will embed permanently.
posted by Barbara Spitzer at 6:02 PM on August 11, 2022
posted by Barbara Spitzer at 6:02 PM on August 11, 2022
I've done the beeswax thing and it works. Also, in a pinch, the end of a paraffin candle.
Before that: give them a cleaning. First, just a dry cloth to get surface grit off. Paper towels are fine for this stage. Then, a very-slightly-damp rag. Next, and this goes against some advice above, a paper towel with just leeeeetle wd40. Then dry paper towel again until it looks like no wd40 remains. Then, finally, a crumpled-up piece of aluminum foil. Another pass with a dry towel/rag is nice at this point, too.
I know: seems like a pain. But that process alone might improve the action here.
And if you really get into this, don't forget that the window itself has its own interface with the channels in your pic. Those can benefit from some TLC, too.
Then whatever slick stuff you want. Personally, I'm always cautious about graphite, as it seems less durable and any accident with the stuff is a total day-ruiner.
I did all this with some 1947-vintage windows that were a total PITA and now they open and close really nicely. Total time invested? About 10 minutes per window, max.
I've occasionally wondered whether dry bike chain lube like the one made by Finish Line would work well. I might try it
posted by Caxton1476 at 7:07 PM on August 11, 2022
Before that: give them a cleaning. First, just a dry cloth to get surface grit off. Paper towels are fine for this stage. Then, a very-slightly-damp rag. Next, and this goes against some advice above, a paper towel with just leeeeetle wd40. Then dry paper towel again until it looks like no wd40 remains. Then, finally, a crumpled-up piece of aluminum foil. Another pass with a dry towel/rag is nice at this point, too.
I know: seems like a pain. But that process alone might improve the action here.
And if you really get into this, don't forget that the window itself has its own interface with the channels in your pic. Those can benefit from some TLC, too.
Then whatever slick stuff you want. Personally, I'm always cautious about graphite, as it seems less durable and any accident with the stuff is a total day-ruiner.
I did all this with some 1947-vintage windows that were a total PITA and now they open and close really nicely. Total time invested? About 10 minutes per window, max.
I've occasionally wondered whether dry bike chain lube like the one made by Finish Line would work well. I might try it
posted by Caxton1476 at 7:07 PM on August 11, 2022
Graphite works great, but the application can be messier than wax.
With lock lubricants containing graphite, the carrier liquid is supposed to be penetrating which means it can get very runny before it dries and might not be great on a vertical surface. Blaster Graphite Dry doesn't run, but the spray comes out pitch black which might not be the best thing on somewhat visible surfaces.
The advantage of a candle or soap or beeswax is that you can control where you apply it and how much to apply.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 5:04 AM on August 12, 2022
With lock lubricants containing graphite, the carrier liquid is supposed to be penetrating which means it can get very runny before it dries and might not be great on a vertical surface. Blaster Graphite Dry doesn't run, but the spray comes out pitch black which might not be the best thing on somewhat visible surfaces.
The advantage of a candle or soap or beeswax is that you can control where you apply it and how much to apply.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 5:04 AM on August 12, 2022
Blaster Graphite Dry doesn't run, but the spray comes out pitch black
There's also B'Laster Dry Lube which doesn't run and dries white. It works pretty well.
posted by SPrintF at 9:26 AM on August 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
There's also B'Laster Dry Lube which doesn't run and dries white. It works pretty well.
posted by SPrintF at 9:26 AM on August 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by DarlingBri at 1:54 PM on August 11, 2022