Cleaning Carabiners

[oldoakman]

I have a bunch of tri-lock biners that are sticking. What is the best way to clean and free them up? I suppose this has been answered before, but I'm too lazy to look.

 

[speelyei]

I only used and cleaned carabiners for rock climbing applications, but here is what we did:
Use an air compressor to blow grit and dust out of all the little nooks and crannies and pivot points. Buy your favorite non-oil non-stick non-dust attracting lubricant and hit the hinges and screw locks with a quick dose. Wipe the 'biners down with a rag and let em dry out for a little bit. Give them all a visual inspection and work the gate and lock mechanism (if there is one) and make sure they operate absolutely flawlessly.

 

[Shawn]

At Michigan comp, when I was behind the gear inspection table we had a little squeeze bottle of graphite lubricant that all the guys swore by. Im with you speelyei, I blow them out and use silicone spray, but Ive heard graphite is the bomb.

 

[tod_k]

A bunch of trilocks are not sticky, the timing is off on the twisting motion. Check the nose and see if there is wear on one side. If that is the case then the barrel moves before it should and cleaning will not help. Design flaw.

 

[familytree]

Warm water with mild detergent, air compressor dry then a drop of 3in1 oil. Works every time. I was climbing in a nasty rain storm last week and all the saw dust collected in every piece of gear I had on. I used this method and it worked like a champ. I probably wouldn't suggest it for steel crabs though.

 

[Rocks_and_Trees]

I use white lightning.

 

[familytree]

[ QUOTE ]
I use white lightning.

[/ QUOTE ]

That was my nick name in college, I invented the stuff, it's organic and I'm not telling you how I "make" it

 

[easyphloem]

I have a small UK Gator biner and when I got it, it looked like there was some sort of lubricating grease under the locking portion of the gate.

Now it looks all gunky with dirt, but I don't know if I wash it out, should I try to put something back in there?


SZ

 

[KentuckySawyer]

Air compressor and graphite work most of the time.

I keep a bottle of graphite in my gear bag.