"Interesting point about dry lubricants—I haven't tried graphite or PTFE sprays yet. Are they significantly pricier than silicone sprays?"
They're usually a bit pricier, yeah, but not by a huge margin. Graphite powder is actually pretty affordable and lasts forever—seriously, I've had the same little tube for years now, and it still feels full. PTFE sprays can be slightly more expensive, but considering you won't have to deal with that grimy dust buildup as often, it might balance out in the long run.
Funny story: I used silicone spray on my garage opener belt a few years back, thinking I'd found the holy grail of quiet operation. Fast forward a couple months, and I was wondering why everything looked like it had been through a dust storm. Switched to PTFE spray, and it's been smooth sailing ever since. Less cleaning hassle is always a win in my book.
Give graphite or PTFE a shot—you might find the convenience worth the extra couple bucks.
Graphite powder's definitely a good call. I grabbed a small tube years ago for some sticky locks around the house, and honestly, I've barely made a dent in it. PTFE sprays do cost a bit more upfront, but the reduced mess and longer-lasting effect make them worth it, IMO. Silicone sprays always left me wiping down dusty residue every few weeks—not fun. Switching to PTFE was a game changer... quieter operation and way less cleanup hassle.
Has anyone tried white lithium grease for garage openers? I've had decent luck with it—pretty quiet and lasts a good while—but now I'm curious if PTFE might be even better. Is it worth switching over?
"I've had decent luck with it—pretty quiet and lasts a good while—but now I'm curious if PTFE might be even better."
I've used white lithium grease too, and it's been solid overall. But now you've got me wondering about PTFE... does anyone know if PTFE holds up better in colder climates? Lithium grease tends to stiffen up a bit when temps drop below freezing, at least in my experience. Curious if PTFE would handle winter better or if it's mostly hype.
I've actually switched from lithium grease to PTFE spray last winter, and honestly, it made a noticeable difference. Lithium grease was decent but got annoyingly gummy when temps dipped below freezing—made my garage door sound like it was groaning at me in protest every morning. PTFE stayed smooth even on those bitter cold days. Not saying it's magic or anything, but my neighbors probably appreciated the quieter mornings...
