Sega CD model 2 maintenance

[Xaranar]

Hey all

So I'm considering doing some preventative maintenance on my model 2 Sega CD, I've already replaced all the caps on the board so they should last a good while, and it's had a new laser assembly as well. It all runs fine, but I want to know if it is worth applying a little white lithium/silicon grease to the plastic gears and/or the metal rail the laser assembly moves back and forth on. Any thoughts?

Cheers

[nmalinoski]

It's always good to grease up CD drive assemblies. At the very least, it will become noticeably quieter during seek operations. (This is the experience when I had when I greased up a second-hand PSone I bought on eBay last month.)

[Xaranar]

Okay cool, thanks. I've opted for silicon grease as it's non conductive, and won't damage plastic as many lithium-based greases will. I'll apply some this evening to the gears and guide rail.

[AndehX]

really no harm in doing so

[mvsfan]

yeah they originally had grease on there in certain spots, its just fallen off by now. white lithium grease is the best it wont damage the plastic.

[Xaranar]

yeah they originally had grease on there in certain spots, its just fallen off by now. white lithium grease is the best it wont damage the plastic.

I've heard a lot of people say that, but every single brand of white lithium grease I can find indicates it is only for metal-on-metal, as it could soften plastic. I don't know. I'm using silicone grease just to be on the safe side, it will work just as well, and is suitable for use on both metal and plastic.

[Link83]

I did some research into the best drive grease some years ago.

In the end I decided on Dow Corning Molykote EM-30L grease, as its specifically designed for this sort of use:-
https://www.ulbrich.at/chemical-technic ... EM_30L.pdf
http://www.allsealsinc.com/molykote/80- ... ronics.pdf
(I would have linked to tha main Dow Corning website, but it looks like they are going though a site redesign and I cant access the pdf's)

I found this very helpful ebay seller who sells it in small quantities:-
https://www.ebay.com/itm/270666662674

(As a side note I originally wanted to use EM-50L, but it seems to be very difficult to find in small quantities. IIRC the only difference was that EM-50L had slightly better sound dampening qualities)

[Syntax]

I've got a tube of this stuff years ago for my joysticks.

https://paradisearcadeshop.com/accessor ... icant.html


It's since been used on cars, machinery, metal punches the list goes on. Great stuff to have on hand.

Suitable for high temp metal or plastic use.

[Ed Oscuro]

I did some research into the best drive grease some years ago.

I tried to get a discussion going a couple years ago on this subject - too bad I didn't find your post!

Here's an alternative source (Amazon, didn't check out the amount supplied compared with the syringe source above):
[Edit: wrong stuffs linked]

I also think the old "Super Lube" should have fairly similar properties to the Molykote 44, with the benefit of being a bit more environmentally friendly to dispose of (being food safe).

[Xaranar]

Just to update, cleaned off the old crusty white grease with some IPA, and applied new silicone grease in its place. Works great, the mechanisms are much quieter now.

[zak]

I just bought this for some rare spinners:

http://www.tamiya.com/english/products/ ... /index.htm

[Link83]

I did some research into the best drive grease some years ago.

I tried to get a discussion going a couple years ago on this subject - too bad I didn't find your post!

Here's an alternative source (Amazon, didn't check out the amount supplied compared with the syringe source above):
https://www.amazon.com/Corning-Molykote ... B01HEC1QZO

I also think the old "Super Lube" should have fairly similar properties to the Molykote 44, with the benefit of being a bit more environmentally friendly to dispose of (being food safe).

Glad I could help Although it should be noted that your link is for Molykote 44, which is a different grease to the Molykote EM-30L I suggested.

If your looking for an Amazon link for Molykote EM-30L:-
https://www.amazon.com/Corning-Molykote ... B00B51C76I

I'm sure Molykote 44 would also work, but its not really its intended purpose:-

Dow Corning Molykote 44 Medium- High Temperature Bearing Grease Off-White is a thickened silicone oil that is used for lubricating plastics, rubber, and antifriction bearings. It is recommended for aircraft engines, conveyor systems, driers, oven fans, and textile slashers

Compared to Molykote EM-30L:-

MOLYKOTE® EM-30L Grease is a lubricating grease developed for plastic components. It is a high-performance white synthetic grease with solid lubricants for extreme pressure, for use with plastic/plastic, plastic/metal, plastic/rubber and rubber/metal combinations involving slow and medium-fast movements and medium to heavy loads.
Recommended for: Office Equipment (LBP Laser Beam Printers, Ink Jet Printers, Scanners, Multi-Function Machines); Automotive Applications (Switches, Actuators, Micro-Motors); Electrical Appliances; Precision Equipment; Electronics Equipment (Cameras, CD/DVD Player, Mobile Phones, Video Recorders); Audio/Visual Equipment that has moving plastic parts.

[Ed Oscuro]

Woops, thanks for the correction.

[Xaranar]

Okay, so, whilst the silicone grease does work, if it has been sat for a while, it seems to become slightly more viscous and as a result, actually makes the gears noisier due to a sticking sound effect, until the mechanism has moved back and forth a few times and warmed up, then it goes back to being quiet again. Lesson learned, don’t do something quickly, do it correctly - I’ve gone ahead and ordered some Molykote EM-30L.

[SamIAm]

The lubricant I went with for greasing CD drive gears was made by Tamiya for use on remote-control cars. It improved performance on my Duo, and when I checked back six months after applying it, it hadn't deteriorated or slid off.

https://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-87099-Cer ... B001Q1AW64