Lubricants are substances used to smoothen the surface between two objects to reduce unwanted friction. Besides that, lubricants are also useful for:
- Protecting components from wear and tear.
- Aiding objects in moving easily
- It also reduces the chances of components getting rust or mold hence increasing their lifespan.
Lubricants are used for many purposes, but their primary function is to reduce friction, and by reducing friction noise is also reduced. This is why many people use lubricants to fix their stuck windows to make them slide easily and protect them from excessive wear and tear.
Lubricants are available in many different forms, but the ones used on wood come in a putty-like consistency. While getting a lubricant, remember that not all lubricants are suitable for wood. So below, we will be listing some of the best lubricants for wooden windows.
Best Wooden Window Lubricant
Mohawk Slideez 4 oz
Pros
- Hassle-free to use
- Shows instant results
- Results last longer compared to other lubricants
Cons
- Not suitable to use for a high-temperature area
If you find it hard to slide open your wooden window, it probably needs a good lubricant like Mohawk Slideez to fix that problem. This product is straightforward to use as you only need spatula type of sticks or simply a cloth to take out the lubricant and apply it to the slides. You can also apply this product to plastic, metal, or wood. Unlike some lubricants, Mohawk Slideez is nonflammable and does not cake up or stain after use.
Product Details:
| Size | 4 oz |
|---|---|
| Color | Clear |
| Shape | Can |
Lundmark Pure Bee’s Wax Lubricating Compound
Pros
- The result stays for a long time
- Waterproof product
- The product is natural, and no toxins are included
Cons
- Product application is not easy as it needs to melt before applying for better results.
This lubricating compound includes pure refined bee wax, which best solves coating problems like drawer slides, window frames, and many other issues. It is also a popular product used when lubricating wood screws.
Product Details:
| Product Dimensions | 3.25 x 1 x 7.75 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 0.7 ounces |
AGS DEK3H Lubricant – White
Pros
- Easy to apply
- It does not create any mess during the application
- Protects the applied area from wear
Cons
- It has a robust and distinct smell
This lubricant comes in a stick form which makes it easy to use without creating any mess. It allows you to apply the product directly to the problem areas without any assistance. You can also use this stick lubricant without any worries on wood, plastic, glass, and metal.
Product Details:
| Item Weight | 2.4 ounces |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 5 x 2 x 7 inches |
Blended Waxes, Inc. 1 lb. Block – Household Paraffin Wax
Pros
- It contains no bad smell
- Less expensive compared to other products
- Melts easily
Cons
- If not melted, the wax is hard to card in its natural form.
We can use Paraffin Wax in many ways, whether for making crafts or solving your lubricant problems. This product is both odorless and colorless, which makes it easier and cleaner to use. Besides that, this product is also used on gear and clothing to waterproof it.
Product Details:
| Product Dimensions | 8.75 x 2.63 x 1.38 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 1 pound |
CRC Heavy Duty Silicone Lubricant, 11 Wt Oz
Pros
- Good water resistance
- It does not have any foul smell
- The product has a clean consistency leaving no residue behind
Cons
- Not suitable to use on a plastic surface
We can use this silicone lubricant on rubber, wood, and metal objects. This lubricant is also considered one of the best for fixing friction-related problems.
Product Details:
| Item Weight | 14.4 ounces |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 2.63 x 2.63 x 7.75 inches |
Types of Window Lubricants
Wax lubricant
Wax lubricants are usually recommended for wooden window frames. You can apply the wax lubricant on the window slides after you have thoroughly cleaned the window sides. If you don’t have a proper wax lubricant, white candles can be used in place of it, giving you equally good results. Besides that, you can also use paraffin wax to make your windows move smoothly, eliminating all friction problems.
Silicone-based lubricant
This type of lubricant is best recommended for vinyl and wood window tracks. You can apply this lubricant with the help of a cloth. While using silicone-based lubricant, remember not to spray the lubricant directly on the window tracks. The plus point about using silicone-based lubricant is that it doesn’t attract dust, helping the window tracks stay friction-free for a long time.
Blend Lubricants
Blend lubricants mix various lubricants to get a better result than just using one type of lubricant. Blend lubricants like wax and silicone-based, combined with other components to make it a longer-lasting and versatile compound. Blending lubricants is not easy, and it requires mixing the right formula and, more importantly, adding the same quality needed. If you’re getting a blend lubricant, make sure they’ve passed all the quality checks and have been certified to be applied to wood.
How to Lubricate a Wooden Window – Step by Step:
- Thoroughly clean the window edges
Usually, the main culprit behind jammed wooden windows is a dirty window track. That’s why always make sure that you clean your window edges. Even before you lubricate your wooden window, clean the edges thoroughly, leaving no dirt and dust behind. An even better method would be vacuuming your window tracks for a thorough clean-up.
- Remove dried-up paint
If you have a painted window track, make sure that there is no dried-up paint. Dried-up paints are paints that have been peeled or cracked, creating friction in the window tracks. That is why window tracks shouldn’t be painted on, as this could be the source of your issue.
Before you start lubricating, remove the paint if it is flaking off. You can remove it by sanding the dried-up paint or scraping it off.
- Use wax or a wax-based lubricant on the window tracks
Many people use lubricant oils on their wooden window tracks to make their windows slide easily. Yes, it does help in eliminating friction, but this is only a temporary solution, and in the long run, it accumulates more dirt. So never use lubricant oil on wood windows.
- Spread wax uniformly and remove excess wax
Once you’re done with all the steps mentioned above, you are good to go to start lubricating your window tracks with wax. Wax is one of the best lubricants when it comes to wooden windows. However, make sure that you don’t overdo it and only apply a thin coat on your tracks removing excesses. That will do the job.
- Re-apply at least once a year
Keep following these steps and re-apply wax at least once a year, and your window tracks are as good as new every time.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the best type of lubricant for old wooden windows?
There are many types of lubricants available, but every window has its different needs. That is why when it comes to wooden windows, wax lubricants are the best. You don’t need any expensive lubricant; a simple white candle would do the trick.
Can you use WD-40 on wooden windows?
Lubricants like WD-40, which are oil-based, will only give you a temporary solution and not a permanent one. So avoid using this type of lubricant on window frames because, in the long run, oil-based lubricants attract dust and degrade your window frames. It is resulting in more damage than help.
How do sash cords work?
On some older windows, a system of cords and pulleys is used to counterbalance the weight of the window. The pulley and the metal counterweight combination help keep the window in place and move with ease.
However, sometimes a suitable sash cord, even with a good mechanism, faces friction problems and needs to be lubricated with wax from time to time. If, after lubricating the window, it is still not easy to move, the sash cord may have broken and needed replacement. What you can do now is replace or repair the damaged sash cords.
What if none of the above solves the problem?
If none of the above steps solves the problem, thoroughly check your window frame to see if it’s time to change—constant exposure to heat cycles, water, etc., degrade wooden windows little by little. Old wooden frames will eventually need complete replacement if signs like termite damage, wearing, creaking sounds, etc., start showing.
Wrapping Up & Our Recommendation
Lubricants are an essential part of increasing the life span of many components and not only wooden window tracks. Without the help of lubricants, our life would not have been as easy as it is now. From sliding open a window to pushing a shopping cart, all this is possible due to the application of lubricants.
Each type of lubricant has a different formula and serves a different purpose. That is why not all different kinds of windows can use the same lubricant, just like how we cannot use lubricant oil in wooden windows. So before settling on a lubricant, do your research carefully and see if the lubricant you’re getting is the right fit for the type of wooden window you are looking to fix.
For wood window frames, the best choice would be to go for Mohawk Slideez. This product is safe for most types of woods, and they come in a semi-paste-like consistency that helps eliminate all wooden window-related problems. So if you haven’t tried this out yet, why not give it a shot!