Clean and Lubricate power antenna
 

Anyone have any recommendations on the best product to keep the power antenna gliding smooth. I seldom see it up, and did happen to today and noticed that is was looking kind of dry and a little ragged.

Thanks,
Chris
1992 400SE 104k

A member here suggested the chain lube known as white lightning, so I picked one up from my local 'sids bike shop'. Unbelievable stuff! I cleaned the antenna fully extended with a damp cloth, let dry and then cleaned it with the chain lube and let air dry. The result, after one more application a week later, is an antenna that I can't hear coming up or going down anymore, thats how smooth it's become! No residue! No mess! And best of all no run off!! Highly recommended.
I want to thank who ever it was for pointing me to White lightning!
I now try and lube every antenna my friends let me get my hands on :D:D

More info at www.whtlight.com . It is basically a wax like product suspended in a petroleum distillate, which evaporates and leaves a water resistant self cleaning film good for about 200 miles of bike riding, or a whole bunch of radio antenna cycles!

Tom you're cracking me up...but you're welcome:)

As usual JCE thanks for the extra info!!

I searched around on this and have heard two different things. Some people suggested WD-40 while others suggested silicon grease.

My antenna is starting to become sluggish. A damp paper towel was able to get the antenna going in and out again but there was still dirt on it. What can I use to really clean it of all the road salt things that may have gotten on it?

Anybody?

Sticky Antenna
 

Hi All,
Just an added note to Antenna cleaning. To get some heavy grime off the mast try a piece of steel wool. I find it does wonders for problem dirt.

Cleeve Morrison
La Jolla Audio Repair

Thanks for the advice guys.

I also used some light steel wool and white lightening - works excellent!

Hirschmann antenna wipes
 

Hey all,

If you go to http://www.beckerautosound.com you can purchase a 5-pack of the original Hirschmann antenna wipes. I use them on all of my cars and they work wonders. They clean and lubricate in one step.

They're little packets which you tear both ends off of and run the packet up and down the antenna mast. No dirty fingers too!

I use a teflon lubricant.

I also unplug the motor when I'm doing a lot of start and stop shopping.

Rubbing alcohol to clean.
Silicone grease to lubricate.

I vote against WD-40.
Perhaps to clean, but not a good long-term lube.
It's basically kerosene.

A lot of those bike-chain lubricants are practically the same with minor differences. I forget what I have but I know it's not White Lightening, and I used it on my antenna and it's also running smooth.

I tried the white lightning but I guess you have to let it dry. What's the easiest way to leave the antenna up without leaving the key in the ignition?

Well, you could try putting it up and then pull the plug on the antenna unit. It's pro'lly on the top of the unit. The worst you could do is possibly blow the radio or whatever fuse the antenna's on. How long could it take to dry? Jeez, put it on, crank the radio, and wash the wheels or something. :)