I have a couple of buddies who clean their cams with WD40. I'm aware that it doesn't damage the hardware, but when crammed into a pack with other cams cleaned the same way does the residual WD40 cause damage to all the slings and draws that are also in the pack.Thanks

Don't clean it with WD-40. Soak them in hot soapy water, pull the triggers a few times, dry. If you really want to put something on them, get that Metolius lube. It is good stuff, and that little bottle will go a long ways.

ditto on the wd40. That and cams shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence.

If you don't have any Metolius lube then bike chain lube such as white lightning also works well.

Agreed.

In terms of field maintenance, try this method for short term results. In Red Rocks and J-Tree this past December, my climbing partner and I, desperately in need of cam lube, ended up using sesame oil. It made the action on even the most jammed up cams very smooth. Also, it works well in cold environments, since it won't solidify (like olive oil does). and it smells like stirfry!

Do not get that metolius cam lube!!!! I swear that shit turns to wax as soon as the temps hit 45 degrees. I could tell you a little story of a boy who cleaned all his cams with that shit to get ready for a big trip, and when he got to the base of the crag, the f-ing things didn't work. hot water, some soap, and graphite, They should stop selling that metolius crap...or have a warning label: "Warning! this product will turn your cams into useless hunks!"

White gas

I use a powdered Graphite Lubricant on mechanisms and components that I don't want to 'gum' up; normal oil based products tend to absorb/attract dirt and other debris that you don't want near your life line equipment. Any hardware store carries PGL, its' cheap and it is long lasting. Climb safe~

Allen Hill wrote:

"white gas"

hear it brother!

lubing w/ tri flow (bike chain lube)

Thanks for the lube and cleaning info. Your comments are appreciated, although no one has mentioned any thing about WD40 damaging slings and draws. Thanks

Here's a good trick.

Nikwax Tech Wash. Fill up a small bucket with hot water add a couple cupfulls of Tech Wash mix some and hold the cam head underwater while operating the action. Watch the junk come off and settle to the bottom. Nice thing here is that you don't have the worry of contaminating the slings like white gas or wd-40 (if you get Nikwax on your slings it's ok). An added bonus of Nikwax is that it's green!

After this I use Metolius Cam Lube for a protectant/lubricant.