the sunroof rails on my cars are still nice and working - the idea of the thinnest possible coat is key, and cleaning them surgically before applying new lube.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

I have used for five years candle wax, just rub the edge of a candle in the rail. That is what was recommended on a RV web site on my awning. Fifteen years on the awning no problems, five years on the 85 sunroof. The reason given is that it does not collect the grit that most petroleum based lubes do, can't say for the silicone based lubes but can't get more economical than the back side of a candle.

Would I use it on a newer more loved vehicle, it think so with closer attention to giving it a cleaning and a rub more frequently.

Forgive my ignorance, but where are "the rails"? I just bought some synthetic grease and rubbed it into the metal shiny parts of the sunroof. I assumed that's what the sunroof slides on. However, reading all this, I get the feeling that the shiny bits aren't what's supposed to be lubed?

I then had a look at the factory manual (7730), but in that, it says to actually remove the rails to lube and clean them. I really don't want to do that to a perfectly working sunroof.

So my question is...how do you guys clean and lube the rails without removing them?

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1987 300TD
1984 300D
755,000 KM and going strong
BC Canada

Remove the roof. That process gives access to the rails that the roof slides on. I used a rifle cleaning kit on a cordless drill to access places that I couldn't otherwise reach.

I still have a little hang at the extreme retracted position. The FSM gives specs for what the maximum force should be. I'll take 1 more run at cleaning and decide whether the force is within specs. If it is, I'll learn about the clutch adjustment. The roof has been remove so many times recently that it almost jumps onto the bench on command without tools.

Hopefully the clutch won't deal any harsh lessons.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.