Cleaning Cables

[dove 0]

Hi all. Last time I got a reserve repack the rigger showed me how to clean my cables. But I can't remember the name of the lubricant spray you need to put on after. I do remember he said you could get it at K-Mart. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Elisa

[riggerrob 558]

Any light oil will loosen the grime on release cables. We have been using WD-40 for years. After the cables are clean, wipe them with a paper towel until they are dry. Release cables don't need lubrication, they just need to be clean.
Release cables are like machine guns: if you leave too much lubrication on them, they will only attract dust.

[dove 0]

Thank you so much, Rob! I would have greased those puppies up real good. And I already have WD-40 at home! Thanks again!
Elisa

[jhus 0]

Quote

release cables are like machine guns...

!!!
So I maintain my release cables just like I maintain my collection of machine guns that I have in my closet!
That perfect... one less thing to worry about.

[DZBone 0]

He may have also used a silicone spray.

[slotperfect 7]

-non-pertroleum silicone spray lubricant is my pref
-spray the silicone on a paper towel
-wipe the cables clean, repeating as necessary, but conservatively
-wipe off the excess with the dry parts of the towel
-i do this at every reserve repack
-you'll know if you overdid the spraying part if you end u with a lot of black crud on your cables
-all manufacturers i have talked to have said yes to this, although one recommended mineral oil
Respectfully,
SP

[dove 0]

OK, as long as we are on the subject... how often should I do this? I have heard from one rigger to do it once per month and another rigger says they do it on every repack and that is enough (unless you live in Arizona or a very dusty place.) So, which is it? I was gonna do it cause better safe than sorry. But I am still sort of uncomfortable taking the thing apart. (I trust myself - but still... there are threads on here about backwards canopies, etc.) Thanks again!
Elisa

[spectre230 0]

[SkymonkeyONE 3]

We keep a white rag in our shop that we spray WD-40 onto. With that, we just wipe off the cables at every reserve repack.
Chuck

[riggerrob 558]

Clean your cables at every repack or every month if your live in a dusty place like Arizona.

[Aviatrr 0]

I clean my cutaway cables once a month.. I use silicone spray(I believe it's made by Prestone) that I picked up in the automotive dept at Wal-Mart.. I spray some on the cables, wipe 'em several times(until I don't get any more dirt on the paper towel), and then wet a paper towel with silicone.. I run the wet towel over the cables to add a thin coat of silicone, then replace the cables.. Takes a total of about 3 minutes..
While your at it, since you already have the cables out, 'excercise' the loops that each of the 2 rings on your risers attach to.. By that, I mean twist 'em back and forth, so they don't develop a 'memory' and stay in that position, possibly causing a problem during cutaway.. Not likely on most cutaways - but on a low drag cutaway(such as bag lock) it is slightly more likely..
Mike