Lubricating a tape measure

[swimmer_spe]

This winter, I have been doing a reno inside, and have kept my saw outside to do the cutting. I has kept the dust in the basement down, but I created a problem.

One of my tape measures, I would leave at my work station outside. It is under my covered outdoor kitchen, but snow did still blow in. The tape measure does not move very well these days. I wa wondering if spraying some lubricant would make it move better?

 

[Eddie_T]

I don't know but for some things such as Little Giant ladders I have read that wiping with Lemon Pledge furniture polish works.

 

[bud16415]

shoot it full of WD40 or TriFlow

 

[Snoonyb]

I use a product called SLIP-IT, it's for saw blades.

 

[soparklion11]

I'd dip it into a bucket of used motor oil

 

[joecaption]

There is no tape measure that needs lubing.
If you do it's just going to leave stains, and attract dirt.
Buy a new one and keep it inside.

 

[Hal201]

shoot it full of WD40 or TriFlow

WD40 works just fine. If it looks dirty/dusty, try to wipe some of it first.

 

[Eddie_T]

Agreed, don't saturate it with anything just wipe it with a cloth dampened with WD40, silicone spray, Pledge or whatever. When it's finished the tape should feel dry not oily.

 

[raymond-]

1) dismantle the tape measure, 2) wash in Dawn detergent 3) rinse, followed by clay bar treatment, 4) a light coat of carnuba wax, 5) buff, 6) reassemble.

just kidding. what I really do is to put A1 sauce on the stretched out tape and let the dog lick it clean