Best lube for boat cover snaps?

Expidia · Sep 17, 2010

I have a spray can of:

WD40
White Lithium grease
Teflon Spray

Just wondering. I used the Teflon spray on them today, but it doesn't seem to do much and I know that stuff will disappear pretty quickly.

I was worried that the Lithium grease or the WD40 might stain the gray boat cover.

They are on a custom made trailerable boat cover, so all the snaps are pretty snug.

Or is there a special product available to keep my snaps slick and snappy

Thx

P.S. Slick and Snappy . . . try saying that one fast 3 times

JoLin · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for baot cover snaps?

Re: Best lube for baot cover snaps?

Don't use a spray, it goes all over. Apply it with the tip of your finger. Anything oily/greasy will do, including Vaseline.

My .02

Brewman61 · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

I picked up a tube of the Starbrite(I think) brand snap/zipper lube. For all I know it's just repackaged vaseline, but it works really well. It's stayed on all season so far, and I haven't pulled any snaps out. It's not the cheapest stuff but I should get at least two or three applications from the tube.

jaxnjil · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

the guy that built our covers and redid our seats told me to try a tube of chap-stick

jill uses it and had some. surprising as it sounds, it worked and lasted quite well. was also easy to dab on with no mess

gss036 · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

There is product called PTFE which comes in about 4-6 oz tube that is made for that purpose.
Most marine shops will have it. I am thinking is is a Starton product, kinda spendy but goes a loooooooong way.

woosterken · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

+1 for chap-stick

woosterken

Cannondale · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

gss036 said:
There is product called PTFE which comes in about 4-6 oz tube that is made for that purpose.
Most marine shops will have it. I am thinking is is a Starton product, kinda spendy but goes a loooooooong way.

PTFE is simply the abbreviation for the chemical polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly known by DuPont's trademark for it----Teflon. Nothing more.

Expidia · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

So far I like that chapstick idea

I'll try a dab on each snap before I spring for the Starbright product.

Seems like the Vaseline thing might work it's way onto the cover and collect dirt.

Thx

gstanton · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

We have used just a small dab of Vaseline on each snap for years. Replenish it every year and you're good to go!

Fireman431 · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

I have been an upholsterer for 18 years and I always use chapstick. Even on my own boat. One small dab lasts a year.

Stick with the original...don't go gettin' all fancy and use the Cherry flavor, either...

rwidman · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

Brewman61 said:
I picked up a tube of the Starbrite(I think) brand snap/zipper lube. For all I know it's just repackaged vaseline, but it works really well. It's stayed on all season so far, and I haven't pulled any snaps out. It's not the cheapest stuff but I should get at least two or three applications from the tube.

That's what I use. It's not repackaged vaseline.

rwidman · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

Cannondale said:
PTFE is simply the abbreviation for the chemical polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly known by DuPont's trademark for it----Teflon. Nothing more.

The Starbrite product contains this.

sasto · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

Brewman61 said:
I picked up a tube of the Starbrite(I think) brand snap/zipper lube. For all I know it's just repackaged vaseline, but it works really well. It's stayed on all season so far, and I haven't pulled any snaps out. It's not the cheapest stuff but I should get at least two or three applications from the tube.

Agree Brewman....100%
Zipper lube....only thing I have ever used.............vaseline is to thick for me to apply directly.....although workes great.

Beefer · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

I was told olive oil by a canvas guy for the zippers.

dockwrecker · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

Chapsick? No kiddin? I've go that! No more broken nails for the missus! Love this place!

JoLin · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

dockwrecker said:
Chapsick? No kiddin? I've go that! No more broken nails for the missus! Love this place!

Yeah, that'll work, too. Add 'anything waxy' to the list. Even a candle rubbed on snaps and zippers will help.

commander315 · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

silicone spray or chap stick

mickjetblue · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

Chapstick is also commonly used on zippers for drysuits as a lubricating
agent that holds up in water usage. It's a winner!

NoKlu · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

Chapstick is made with wax.

ondarvr · Sep 17, 2010

Re: Best lube for boat cover snaps?

NoKlu said:
Chapstick is made with wax.

In Canada its made from the ear wax of clubbed baby seals.

Best lube for boat cover snaps?

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