Frozen pump

[Mike G.]

Last weekend my pump froze to the point I couldn't completely inflate the kite.. any suggestions on what lube to use ?

[magicninja]

I use graphite powder. It doesn't gum up with sand in summer or freeze in the winter. You do have to apply it more often than regular lubricant, but a small tube goes a long way. I got mine at Hub Hobby, in the pine car derby area. Don't use WD40 or Liquid Wrench. It ate the rubber seals inside my old pump. Hope this helps. G

[kiteboymn]

I use pure silicone spray on the shaft and inside the cylinder and o rings every other time i use it. Clean it regularly, keep it indoors and ALWAYS pull up on the handle
a little before putting it away ( so the o rings won't take an upward set) Pumps are touchy, If you take care of them, they'll take care of you. Here is a general rule of thumb, A large pump (like the Jenna J, I love that name) should inflate a 12 m kite in 30-35 shots, give or take, if it's working right.

Kiteboy

[Mike G.]

Thanks guys; I have some silicone spray so I'll give that a try for now.

[n-mod]

I used to use silicone spray, but I found it gets dirty quickly. Now I use air tool oil (the stuff used to lube air nail guns) and it performs much better. But I don't know how it holds up in the cold. I haven't had it freeze on me yet.

[kiteboymn]

Tool oil is the exact same thing 30 weight motor oil. Kinda greasy. Silicone, dry, do the math.