Cleaning and lubing cams

So I have done some research on here and using Google on using different types of cleaning material and lubes for cams. People have suggested Metolius, using air compressor, brushes, white lightening, WD40, and other items/materials for cleaning and lubing. I own a motorcycle and have done a good amount of research on what people use to clean motorcycle chains and a recommended lube. In the motorcycle world people have recommended using kerosene to clean the chain/sproket and "du pont teflon multi-use dry lubricant" which is wax base to lube it afterwards.

I remember reading a detailed article on why its bad to use WD40 on cleaning chains (it was tested on bearings used in aerospace engineering/jet planes and what not) and why it was bad. Can't remember the details.

Long story short has anyone ever used kerosene to clean cams or have used du pont teflon lubricant to lube their cams before?

I always just use soap and water to clean mine.

My current favorite lube is Pro-link from a bicycle shop, but have also used Tri-flow and Ice Wax over the years. Be very light with the lube and wipe em off afterwards. too much lube attracts more grit/dirt.

swish/action cam in a bowl of water with a very small amount of soap
use a teflon based lube (metolious, or bicycle chain lube (white lightning))

I do my best not to get any on the nylon

I'm pretty sure you don't want to use petroleum products to clean the cam because of the risk of contact with the nylon slings. It might not be that bad if you're really careful not to let it come into contact with them, but why take the chance? Anyway, kerosene seems a little overkill to clean them - are they really that nasty?

Robert Buswold wrote:I'm pretty sure you don't want to use petroleum products to clean the cam because of the risk of contact with the nylon slings. It might not be that bad if you're really careful not to let it come into contact with them, but why take the chance? Anyway, kerosene seems a little overkill to clean them - are they really that nasty?

They're not that dirty and actually pretty clean. It was just an option and an idea of being able to clean out every nuck and cranny of dirty cams. Kerosene seems to work very effective on metal objects to clean/wipe of any dirt/grime/old grease/lube versus using water or WD40.

whatever you do, WD40 will definitely attract dirt and sand, avoid it

I've been putting them under hot water faucet and using the action rapidly. Air dry by shaking them or smacking against a towel. Then Metolius lube allowed to set 3-5 min then wiping clean.

Robert Buswold wrote:I'm pretty sure you don't want to use petroleum products to clean the cam because of the risk of contact with the nylon slings. It might not be that bad if you're really careful not to let it come into contact with them, but why take the chance? Anyway, kerosene seems a little overkill to clean them - are they really that nasty?

Kerosene will not harm nylon or Dyneema.

Mark Mueller wrote:I've been putting them under hot water faucet and using the action rapidly. Air dry by shaking them or smacking against a towel. Then Metolius lube allowed to set 3-5 min then wiping clean.

Water does nothing for breaking up grease though, which is what you are trying to clean off your cams(well that and sand). You wouldn't try to clean a bicycle chain with just water and your cams are no different.

I would get a bowl of warm soapy water, dip a tooth brush in it, and carefully scrub the cam head and then wash it off in warm clean water. Then when dry re-lube with a bottle of dry teflon lube like this:

rei.com/product/634907/fini…

Metoulius sells the exact same bottle just rebranded for cams. Dont use a lot and wipe off any of the excess.

Zap some wd40 between the cams and axle(s), then continuously trigger the cam to work the oil in- after a few moments the grit and crap will start to loosen and ooze out. Wipe off the excess crap with a paper towel.

Keep repeating and adding small squirts of fresh wd40 oil as you'll feel the cams become lubed, but then will bog down again as more gunk is released. Once the action is perfect, blow and clean out the remaining oil with an air compressor.

Get a sauce pan of water heated up to a low simmer. dip the cams/springs into the water and squeeze the trigger action repeatedly. take out and tooth brush the springs/axles in between a few of the water sessions. let dry. Lube with Metolius cam lube. Let dry. Wipe of excess. Money!

I find it a little odd that a clear concensus has not emerged on cam care, maybe it has and Im finally paying the price for not being on Facebook? Anyway, climbers-

I tried warm soapy water, helps for sure.  However, one cam was seized up completely and this stuff (pictured, available at one REI at least) worked, see by the clear liquid versus the used stuff in the container on the right, that dirt was from about 6 small cams. Label says biodegradable. I need to give Simple Green a try.

Im still undecided about best lube but Metolious necessitates a $15 or $20 shipping fee.

clifff wrote:

I find it a little odd that a clear concensus has not emerged on cam care, maybe it has and Im finally paying the price for not being on Facebook? Anyway, climbers-

As mentioned up thread, this product is a cheaper version of the Metolius product. Also, at least one manufacturer has published guidelines for cam cleaning: https://dmmwales.com/blogs/knowledge/cam-inspection-and-maintenance