Does anyone ever oil or lube propellers or will that harm the plastic resin of the model? If so, what can you safely use without harming the model?
(I put this in general discussion because it really applies to any model with moving parts. In my case I’m contemplating for airplane propeller)
I don’t use any type of oil or lube as, from what little I know of the subject, it could gum up over time and defeat the purpose. I usually glue mine in place.
Jim [cptn]
I would look at dry graphite powder. It’s recommended for door locks and hinges, windows, and anything you don’t want an oily residue on…like models! 
You should be able to find it at most hardware stores. Look in the key and lock area.
Or…if you don’t mind making a mess to save a few bucks, pulverize a small piece of pencil “lead”. [:P]
Ive used a tiny tiny dab of marine grease, put on by toothpick, yeah i know its not really recommended. or as some body else said graphite
Are you talking about spinning the prop with a little electric motor, or are you merely turning the prop by hand? If the latter, I don’t think lube is really that necessary.
[cptn]I seem to remember building (with dad), a mqdel of the USS Arizona, that had a small motor in it. there was a tiny tube of a lubricant, now this was near 45yrs. ago now, so I would figure it’d be okay.[cptn]
Labelle makes a line of plastic compatible lubes for model railroading. Probably available from Walthers or your LHS (via Walthers) if you have one.
http://factorydirecttrains.com/labelleoil.aspx
Sorry, I still can’t figure out how to insert a hot link.
I used a bit of 106 grease on a sticking TBM-3 turret last year, worked well. If you are looking for a lightweight plastic compatible oil, maybe 108. Labelle 104 is not plastic compatible.
That said, I’d be afraid of the oils gumming up over time and would tend to favor the graphite lubes suggested above were it me.
I wouldn’t lube a prop myself, but my personal preference is irrelevant to your question. [:)]
I recall some of the old motorized model kits that recommended using a small dab of vegetable oil for lubrication or a dab of Vaseline.
I’d stay away from vegetable oil Rob, it will go rancid and smell.
Would a mineral oil be good? Could a petroleum based lube degrade styrene over time?
I think a tiny bit mineral oil would work fine.
Candle wax.
I work with clear styrene a lot, including moving parts. Labelle 108 is good for most applications, but even it can cause very slight swelling of plastic parts, which can be an issue if your clearances are very tight. Vaseline gets a bad rap because everyone says it deteriorates styrene, but I’ve bought partially built models on eBay that have a 50-year old coating of vaseline on them, and when you wash it off the parts are in time-warp condition. It is however a dirt magnet plus it looks messy. Recently I’ve been using vaseline as a lube, running the parts in a little bit, and then wiping it off. The parts seem to stay well-lubed, so the vaseline apparently passivates the styrene surfaces in some way. Would like to hear if anyone else has tried this or other techniques.
Chap stick!
It has been overlooked and a household lubricant, is user friendly and won’t leak out. Recently I have used it for:
Door hinges, fixing seals in leaky faucets and O-ring applications.
I think it’s fair to say , Use the Graphite . I have a small tube I bought years ago and when I want something to move Without the traditional binding that Will happen with styrene I still have my Flap-Jack flapping wildly on my desk .You plane guys should remember that humble little kit , right ?
You might try the silicone spray lubes designed for airsoft use. They have a fast evaporating carrier that leaves a dry film behind.
I use talcum/baby powder. Works great for props and easy to clean too, just blow the excess away.