Does the electric antenna mast need to have some type of grease or lube to keep smooth operation of the mast? If so, how often and what do you use? Thanks.

Aaron

 

WD-40

 

Either that or white lithium grease.

 

Some people were telling me that WD40 was not good for the antenna, so I used lithium.

 

I put WD40 on it, but it always needs more. Id say every 4 or 5 months the thing doesn't retract.

 

What you should be using is petroleum jelly. Just put a small amount of jelly at the base of each "level" of the mast when it is up. Then turn the car off and on a few times to work the jelly in. And you can just wipe away the access. Also, petroleum jelly doesn't have an odor, which I have found comes into the cabin when using WD-40.

 

I heard dry graphite was the way to go, and I plan to clean my white lithium off with WD-40 (WD-40 is really a solvent, like gasoline, rather than a lubricant, like oil) and give it a try. Don't know about petrolum jelly, but grease might get too stiff in the winter and tend to overwork the motor. And graphite won't attract dirt the way jelly or grease does.

 

My stinkin' antenna mast doesn't extend all the way & I had been using WD-40. Anyone with ideas on how to get it fully extended. I'll have to look for the dry graphite! Thx for the idea.

 

I couldn't find dry graphite, so i use dry silicon in a spray can. Works well for me. Also works well to quiet squeeky brushes/tracks for the door windows. It doesn't smear on the window.
Jae

 

Clean it, then I use WD-40 on a rag....not a problem in 4.5 years

 

how often do you'all clean the antenna? my bro says every time he fills gas. I do it when it looks dirty.
Jae

 

My antenna was sticking about 2 years ago. I lightly greased it with water proof trailer grease and no prob since.

 

I used spray silicone.
Workes great!

 

Dry Silicone? Sounds like just the thing for windows & antennas...Is this something that one could find in a Pep Boys, AutoZone, etc.?

 

Silicone spray... that's what the guys at my nissan dealer say.

 

You'll want to clean it with WD-40, but then lube it with a thick grease. Dry greases work as well. What you want is a lubricant that does not evaporate, run or allow debris to mix with it.

 

I'm affraid of using anything "wet" cuz junk will catch on it. So I thought of using dry stuff.
Yeah, the dry silicon can be found in an autopart store or hardware store. We got the tip from someone in the 5th gen forum who suggested it after his windows squeeked like crazy. My windows also squeek after I tinted them, but now, no more squeek and no streaking too.
Jae

 

So far, at AutoZone, I've found STP Silicone spray that claims "dry quickly" and some graphite powder. But no Dry Silicone. Can you provide the brand name of a product?...Or is it one of the products that I found?

Thanks.

 

i didn't have any lube... so i err.... uhm... well i used Amsoil synthetic oil... hahaha

it actually worked pretty well

it practically stopped working for a while. I cleaned it with a dry cloth and then applied new oil on my fingers and rubbed it up and down the antenna... (don't take that the wrong way!!!)
it's been 6 months and it still works great hehe

 

WD40 sprayed on a paper towel and then applied to the antenna. Cleans off the guck and lubricates. Silicon sounds good too.
Cheers