Author Topic: what lube to use for Gateron Silent Ink switches.  (Read 7263 times)

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Offline BedsideTiger

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what lube to use for Gateron Silent Ink switches.
« on: Tue, 25 June 2019, 20:03:48 »
I just got my shipment of Silent Inks for a project I'm working am but I know nothing about lubing switches. What do you recommend? What are some advantages of some lube over others?

Offline pixelpusher

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Re: what lube to use for Gateron Silent Ink switches.
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 25 June 2019, 20:09:47 »
I just got my shipment of Silent Inks for a project I'm working am but I know nothing about lubing switches. What do you recommend? What are some advantages of some lube over others?

I recommend tribosys 3204 just because it is very easy to apply and has pretty much all around good results.  Smooth and nice sounding switches.
« Last Edit: Tue, 25 June 2019, 21:45:56 by pixelpusher »

Offline BedsideTiger

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Re: what lube to use for Gateron Silent Ink switches.
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 25 June 2019, 20:34:08 »
Unfortunately it's sold out everywhere

Offline pixelpusher

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Offline BedsideTiger

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Re: what lube to use for Gateron Silent Ink switches.
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 25 June 2019, 23:21:42 »
WOO HOO! Thank you very much!

Offline tex_live_utility

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Re: what lube to use for Gateron Silent Ink switches.
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 28 June 2019, 07:19:52 »
3204 will impart a sort of "soft buttery" feel to the switch, unless you're careful to apply an extremely thin coat. It's very pleasant, but if you want more of a "neutral" feeling lube, you can try an oil like GPL 104.

Also don't forget to move your springs, to illuminate any ping or crunch that might develop over time.
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Offline pixelpusher

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Re: what lube to use for Gateron Silent Ink switches.
« Reply #6 on: Fri, 28 June 2019, 08:44:56 »
3204 will impart a sort of "soft buttery" feel to the switch, unless you're careful to apply an extremely thin coat. It's very pleasant, but if you want more of a "neutral" feeling lube, you can try an oil like GPL 104.

Also don't forget to move your springs, to illuminate any ping or crunch that might develop over time.

Good point.  I would suggest to always lube the springs on silent switches because it is very likely you will hear them if not.  You can use a thin oil for this.  You can actually use 3204 on springs, too but it takes a bit longer to apply than oil. I usually just dip my springs in oil and let them run off on a paper towel for a while before reinstalling.

Offline BedsideTiger

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Re: what lube to use for Gateron Silent Ink switches.
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 01 July 2019, 22:36:45 »
Will any type of generic thin oil work for the springs?

Offline pixelpusher

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Re: what lube to use for Gateron Silent Ink switches.
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 01 July 2019, 23:05:54 »
Will any type of generic thin oil work for the springs?

Not 100% sure.  I've always used krytox oils.  I think people use knife oils too.  Just as long as it is plastic safe (won't degrade plastic over time)

Offline BedsideTiger

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Re: what lube to use for Gateron Silent Ink switches.
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 02 July 2019, 02:49:58 »
I have a bottle of Benchmade Blue Lube (meant for knives). I shot them and email and hopefully it's good to go since I got some on hand.

Offline vegs

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Re: what lube to use for Gateron Silent Ink switches.
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 02 July 2019, 03:18:49 »
I've always used Victorinox oil on springs. It's a bit more viscous than Krytox 105.
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Offline CJackson19

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Re: what lube to use for Gateron Silent Ink switches.
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 02 July 2019, 12:57:43 »
I've had good luck with just lubing the top end and bottom end of the springs with whichever lube I am using to lube the rest of the switch. I'm pretty certain in the switches that i've messed with that when the stem is compressed all the way, the spring does not actually fully compress.

Offline BedsideTiger

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Re: what lube to use for Gateron Silent Ink switches.
« Reply #12 on: Wed, 03 July 2019, 18:14:20 »
I just got a response from Benchmade, Blue lube is good to got, time to get cracking switches and lubing some springs and stems