Cleaning and lubricating mast track

[Peregrine1983]

Hi all,

Curious to hear what products and techniques you're using to clean and lubricate your mast tracks. I have a new mizzen sail and I'm having a wicked hard time getting the new cars up the track. They do seem to be properly sized, I think my mizzen track is dirty and needs to be properly lubricated.

I've seen a number if products advertised but would love to hear what you all do.

[GeoBay]

This is what I do. Spray with Windex glass cleaner, wipe with rag and some kind of plastic spatula, dry with clean rag, then use Mc Lube ( best) or Dupont Teflon spray. This is done at the start of season and lasts most of the sailing year then occasionally spray the sail slugs during the year. I sail in the Great Lakes.

[Shoalcove]

I have always just rubbed a hard wax candle along the track in the spring. Works fine, no staining.

[Orion Jim]

Clean the track with acetone, or the product of your choice, then apply McLube. Your problem is solved.

[thinwater]

You can buy mast track cleaners. Cheap, work well, and last forever. Or you can make your own.

It is also possible the slides are the wrong size or are worn.

I would not advise candle wax. I think you will find many that have found it attracts dirt. Mostly, get it clean, and then lube lightly with Sailkote. Although some favor acetone for everything, I don't think this is a great example. It dries too fast and it is a poor solvent for wax. Xylene or mineral spirits will work better.

https://www.practical-sailor.com/iss...e_12368-1.html

[gamayun]

I tried all the cleaning products out there and also got new slugs. Then installed a Tides Marine track and been really happy with it.

[David2.0]

Would it be possible to do the job without having to climb up the mast? I wonder if just adding a few drops of McLube Sailkote to the topmost car would do it as it would perhaps lube the mast rail as it goes up? (wondering only because I'm yet to learn how to climb the mast properly).

[dfelsent]

I’ve used hand dishwashing liquid for cleaning and lubricating mast tracks. Washes out of the sail when it gets in there. It’s slippery. And helps remove gunk.
I glopped it on to the top of the stack of slides just prior to hoisting.
Check the slides too. I’ve had slides that I had to sand down a bit in width to reduce the friction on the hoist. They seemed ok but were in fact a smidge tight.
And slides that were a bit too.
After things are clean McLube worked well on that rig.