White lithium grease on cylinder rods

[AnotherBueller]

Thank you for the fast response. The reason I started coating them is because I noticed a lot of small rust pits developing on them. Nothing is really leaking yet. And being that I bought the whole TLB combo for less than a new hydraulic piston I was just hoping to extend the life without any costly repairs. Do you think it could be a good idea to wipe as much of the grease off as I can and go over the pits with some 1000 grit sandpaper? Or would it be better to just leave it as is?

NO. Those rods usually are hard chromed and that plating is only a few molecules thick now-a-days. Years a go it was 1 or 2 thousandth of an inch. They can be re-chromed. But finding a shop anymore can be hard due to pollution laws from about 10 - 30 years ago.

 

[tonys55]

It seems to me that sanding reduces the overall diameter. Would that create a loose fit for the seals? I guess it depends on the amount of material removed. And the finished sanding would need to be ultra smooth without any scratches. Seems like sanding would make any leaking that much worse. It's just speculation as I have no experience with this, but I would stay from sanding.

 

[SARG]

I've got a Wood's backhoe stored in the barn and it has only been on the T1030 machine once for a french drain project. Been in the garage for well over a decade with the cylinders coated with "FluidFilm".
I check it over about once a year and no issues so far.

 

[Jaygyver]

I've done the retract and or lubed the cylinders over the years and never had a problem. I just don't trust the manufacturers going cheap.The day's of thick/hard chrome is few and far between. I've had some name brand equipment years ago and the cylinders started to show rust after a few years stored outside but covered. Just wipe it off real good when your ready to use it. In fact one of my owners manual for one actually suggested it. Might have been an "Over Sea's" one tho, can't remember what it was.

 

[CutTheHolesOut]

Thank you all for the replies. I’m hoping because it’s from the mid or early 80’s that it has a nice thick chrome plating on it, but I won’t take any more chances with the sanding. I suppose I’ll just leave it as is for now and let you all know how it turns out in a couple years time.