Many rolling tips have metal components which can get clogged and rusty, particularly when they have regularly been dunked in puddles, or have come in contact with sand, dirt or salt. This results in the tip not moving as smoothly, or stopping altogether.
Before you rush out to get a new tip, you can try the following three steps:
1. Clean as much dirt and debris from the tip as you can. You want the following products to have a chance to get to the joint in question.
2. A squirt of a mild penetrating oil such as the original “WD 40 Multi Use” may help get rid of the rust. It is not as effective as other penetrating oil sprays on the market such as “Kroil” or “Liquid Wrench”, which are made specifically for dissolving deep rust, but the trick is finding something strong enough to work on the rust without dissolving the glue that holds the nylon tip to the metal bearing. Please note, even using too much WD 40 will dissolve the glue, so use no more than a short squirt. Do not soak the tip in it.
3. It’s important to then add some lubricant to the tip once the tip is moving smoothly again. Contrary to popular belief, while products such as the original WD 40 do help get the tip moving again, it actually dries out the tip as the lubricant in it evaporates. You have a couple of options. Prior to silicone spray being widely available, sewing machine oil (also sold as General machine oil) was found to be effective. It can still be found at grocery shops. A bottle will last a long time as you only need a few drops to keep your tip in good condition. Silicone spray has the advantage of not staining or leaving a sticky residue, and products available in Bunnings such as “WD-40 Specialist Silicone”or “CRC 808 Silicone” also leave a water repellent film.
If the tip is too rusted, it’s time for a replacement. If you are concerned that the tip you currently use might not be best suited to your lifestyle, call Karyn to discuss options.
