Tripod maintenance: I have slew of tripods. Some are cheapies, some good stuff and one old surveyors tripod that I use outdoors sometimes for trail cameras in open places. What is the...

Hydro47 Loc: NW Indiana

I have slew of tripods. Some are cheapies, some good stuff and one old surveyors tripod that I use outdoors sometimes for trail cameras in open places. What is the best way to keep the legs sliding smoothly when adjusting the overall height? Is there a lubricant that would help? Or powdered graphite? Right now I have three tripods out in the picked cornfield with trail cams photographing eagles and hawks on five roadkill deer carcasses. Your help is greatly appreciated.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Hydro47 wrote:

I have slew of tripods. Some are cheapies, some good stuff and one old surveyors tripod that I use outdoors sometimes for trail cameras in open places. What is the best way to keep the legs sliding smoothly when adjusting the overall height? Is there a lubricant that would help? Or powdered graphite? Right now I have three tripods out in the picked cornfield with trail cams photographing eagles and hawks on five roadkill deer carcasses. Your help is greatly appreciated.

https://digital-photography-school.com/how-clean-your-tripod-like-new/
How to clean your tripods and make them like new!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I don't use mine regularly at all.
Mine have never been "maintained" or lubed, just wiped down if they were used in a dirty location.
They live in a closet. No noticeable dust.
Never had a problem.
Now if I used them daily, that may be a different story.

ecommons

If they really need lubricant, use a dry lubricant. A wet or sticky lubricant will atttract dirt

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

ecommons wrote:

If they really need lubricant, use a dry lubricant. A wet or sticky lubricant will atttract dirt

tcthome Loc: NJ

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgqZuB95suPMyCiIYSRlGf2QQ6bxnvP7o

I think you will find something in this list.

The best thing to do would be is clean the legs before you close them up to keep the dirt from getting up inside the legs. After that it would be wiping it down with a damp cloth & then drying it or wiping it down with a clean dry towel or micro fiber cloth.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Hydro47 wrote:

I have slew of tripods. Some are cheapies, some good stuff and one old surveyors tripod that I use outdoors sometimes for trail cameras in open places. What is the best way to keep the legs sliding smoothly when adjusting the overall height? Is there a lubricant that would help? Or powdered graphite? Right now I have three tripods out in the picked cornfield with trail cams photographing eagles and hawks on five roadkill deer carcasses. Your help is greatly appreciated.

What I have found with Aluminum & Carbon Fiber is to keep them clean and dry.
I have used my tripod in all conditions, dusty, sandy, muddy, and in the water, ponds, rivers etc.
All I have done is washed and dried them after use. They all work like they should. Never lube, you don't want a leg slipping!!!!!

tcthome Loc: NJ

PixelStan77 wrote:

https://digital-photography-school.com/how-clean-your-tripod-like-new/
How to clean your tripods and make them like new!

Great article, thanks for putting it up.

MrPhotog

Hard wax.

I prefer Johnson’s paste wax. It is basically carnauba wax, which is a very hard wax, mixed with a small amount of naptha and water. Apply with paper towel or cloth rag. Wipe it on, very thin. Let it sit 15-20 minutes for the solvents to evaporate. Wipe off the hazy finish. Done. If you want you can buff it to a shiny finish with a soft cloth and some effort.

It is not greasy and does not attract dust or dirt.

Auto waxes contain silicones which may make them a bit more slippery. They go on just as easy.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Here's another link -

http://www.diyphotography.net/heres-easily-thoroughly-clean-tripod/

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

I suggest using a dry lubricant, and some sort of silicone for rubber O rings which help keeping them from frying out. You need very little lube to make things work smoothly. People think that over lubing is good, I assure it’s not. Then you can finish the job with a car metal polish and a car wax. Both will help to repel water, and easy to wipe clean.
Good luck, and have a Merry Christmas 🎄

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

I find that my carbon fiber requires lots more work than my other tripods. It has to be kept clean and a dry lube. I use just plane bar hand soap. My wood tripod requires very little work. but I use soap on it too. The Gitzo gets the same treatment. But as previously mentioned... The Johnson car wax is a good idea too.

Jwshelton Loc: Denver,CO

RRS has a section on their website regarding the cleaning/upkeep of tripods.
Very information.

Nicholas J DeSciose

A really good cleaning, something like 409. Then use a dry lubricant. I have a couple of tripods with a center column and the dry lube works amazingly well. And doesn’t make my hand sticky or greasy

DICK32

I have a carbon fiber tripod. If you scratch of nick the carbon fiber it can crack. I use Dupont Teflon spray on just the carbon fiber legs. It leaves a light white coating that disappears after a month. the legs are easier to deploy and lock down easy. I clean dirt off the tripod. Amazon has it.