Lube the Felt Window Guides?
 

Does anyone ever feel the need to lube their felt window guides? I want to, but want to use something that will last longer than a week or so, if there is such a thing.

I just finished rebuilding one of my window assemblies and want to do everything I can to get that window in tip-top shape while I've got the door apart.

I would say no as dust and dirt would stick making it abrasive.

What about using that graphite stuff that is used to lube lock cylinders, it's just that the felt seems really sticky, probably because it's lost most of it's felt after 20 years.

silcon spray won't hold dirt, good for waterproofing shoes. I used it on a van I had to stop squeaks between window and rubber seal.

Wax/candle is working for me....so far...

I have always used Silicone spray on the window felt guides and also the weather strip around the doors.

Dry film silicon lube works wonders, and won't attract dust and dirt. I've used it on every car I've ever owned, including a few domestic cars notorious for having power windows that burn out from too much strain. I've never suffered from stiff windows, and all of my power windows have always operated quickly.

On older cars, it's always good to get in the window felt channel with a toothbrush and a little water and dishwashing detergent to break up the old crud. Flush it out with water, let it dry, and then use the dry silicon lube on it. The results are usually amazing.

Won't the silicone spray smear the glass?

I've never been too impressed with silicon spray, it's effects are always so temporary.

Haven't heard of the dry film silicon lube, where do you get that?

I don't know about the cheap silicon spray they sell at some places, as I've never tried it. A little residue occurs with the dry silicon spray immediately after you use it, but it cleanes up easily, and doesn't seem to migrate out of the slides easily. It's transparent, dry to the touch, and non-staining.


Real auto parts stores, such as CarQuest, NAPA, and the like usually seem to have it. I've used both the 3M version and the LPS flavour. They work well.

Warning, I'm a bit off topic here... For the adventurous sorts, there is even a food-grade variety that can be sprayed on things like cutting equipment and baking sheets. I know when you keep it on knife blades, it prevents wetting, so food never sticks to the blade. It's awesome for cutting cheese, which always seems to cling to the edge of an untreated knife. It doesn't even attempt to cling to the blade of a silicon-treated knife. Those huge meat slicers in the deli? Now you know how nothing sticks to them.

When I searched for dry silicon spray I noticed "food grade dry silicon spray" in the results, but I couldn't figure out what it was used for in the kitchen.

That's pretty cool to know :)