Lube for gas cap latching mechanism?

I did a search for "gas cap" and "gas cap lock" and came up with tons of threads/posts about stuck lock cylinders and removing stuck caps but no one had any input on what a good lubricant might be for the actual latching mechanism.

I have used ordinary bearing/axle grease, White lithium grease, Eezox( a gun lube/metal treatment) and dry Teflon lubricants of various mfgs.
All worked well for a while and all failed after a few weeks or months. I get a lot of oxidation on the aluminum latch mech. and it starts to seize up. A little cleaning and lube and it's good to go... for a while.

Any ideas of what might last a bit longer at least.

 

Tri-Flow. Comes as a spray lube, which I've used for years, and now as a GREASE which is my new best buddy. http://www.triflowlubricants.com/Tri-Fl ... icant.html

Stays put, lasts. I buy mine from Crawford tool, because it's a lot cheaper than buying it direct. http://www.crawfordtool.com/tri-flow.html

I've used it "refurbing" two XJ gas caps so far, and it hangs around just fine.

 

GunKote

 

Thanks!

I have a tube of the clear synthetic grease on the way.

BTW, with shipping it was cheaper by a few dollars from Tri-Flow rather than Crawford.

 

I lube all my locks and Ignition by dipping the Key into some Marvel Mystery Oil and working the locks.

It's one of those "Once-a-monther's"

It doesn't accumulate and can be cleaned-out with a douche of alcohol.

 

I like using a dry film lube like silicone or graphite. It does not attract dirt like wet lubes. Thats just my preference.

 

The gas cap is a special case. The whole cap is part of the "vent" and lives in a constant atmosphere of petrol fumes, which tends to clobber lubricants and promote corrosion on the moving parts of the latch.

One thing that will help: when cleaning up the latching "internals" polish the stupid "pot metal" as shiny smooth as you can, wherever possible. It helps it stave off corroding.

Re: That white lithium grease: except for the throttle barrel, that stuff has very few practical applications on a motorcycle. It's just too "wimpy."

 

indeed. the only thing I ever use white lithium grease for is certain rough and tough polyurethane O-rings for various pneumatics applications that degrade if subjected to petroleum lubes. I'm sure it has other uses but I haven't run across them.

For locks and gas caps and such I've had good results with plain ol' household 3-in-1 oil but I don't subject them to much dirt. If I do have a problem with such, wd-40 would rinse it fine.

 

Kroil

 

+1 on the graphite, locksmiths like me will tell you the same thing

 

assuming it hasn't been and won't be subject to moisture.