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

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!

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

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?

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1985 500SEL 124k miles
2001 Honda Civic EX

Anybody?

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1985 500SEL 124k miles
2001 Honda Civic EX

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.

__________________
1985 500SEL 124k miles
2001 Honda Civic EX

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

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!

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Regards,
Aaron

WOW, I remember those little foil packages...that was a long time ago !!

Periodic maintenance is a must to keep the mechanism cleaned and lubed...don't wait for it to fail.

Another suggestion: A lot of bike shops and motorcycle shops sell chain lubes. They're very good at displacing water and repelling dirt. IIRC, the one I have is made by GUNK and comes in a white aerosol can...~$2.50.

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1998 W210 diesel (wiped out by a texter)
Baum spring compressor "for rent"

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.

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1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.

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?

__________________
1985 500SEL 124k miles
2001 Honda Civic EX