"I've always used silicone spray, but recently someone recommended lithium grease—any experience with this?"
I've switched to lithium grease for heavier wooden doors and found it lasts noticeably longer between applications. Silicone spray works fine for lighter setups, but lithium grease seems better suited for the extra weight and friction. Also, don't worry too much about swapping to nylon rollers affecting authenticity—small upgrades like these usually blend right in, especially if they reduce noise and improve function. Good luck with your project... historic homes can be tricky!
I've actually had good luck with beeswax-based lubricants on my old carriage doors—it's eco-friendly and surprisingly effective. Curious if anyone else has tried natural alternatives like this... seems fitting for historic homes, right?
I've used beeswax too, and it's definitely underrated. A few years back, I worked on restoring some old barn doors at my place—tried everything from WD-40 to graphite powder, but nothing lasted. Finally gave beeswax a shot after a neighbor recommended it, and it was like night and day. Quieted things down nicely, plus no nasty chemical smell lingering around. Only downside is reapplying occasionally, but honestly that's a small price for something natural that actually works... especially in older homes where authenticity matters.
Beeswax is solid, but honestly, I've had even better luck with paraffin wax. Restored a set of original carriage doors on my 1920s garage last summer—beeswax worked okay at first, but the humidity here made it gummy after a while. Switched to paraffin and haven't looked back since. No smell, no mess, and lasts longer between applications. Still natural enough for authenticity, IMO...though I get why beeswax appeals to the purists out there.
Paraffin's a solid choice, but gotta say, I've been using plain old candle wax scraps for years—yeah, the ones leftover from power outages and forgotten birthdays. Works surprisingly well on my garage hinges and sliding doors. Humidity's a pain here too, and honestly, candle wax never gets gummy or weird on me. Plus, it's basically free since my wife hoards candles like we're prepping for the apocalypse. Authentic? Eh...maybe not carriage-door authentic, but definitely real-life authentic. Either way, quieter doors mean happier neighbors and fewer judgmental looks when I'm tinkering late at night...
