The Lemon Fool

My curtains have metal rings on a metal pole (both probably steel, possibly plated). They drag badly and there is a danger of damaging the curtains when opening/closing them, but putting oil or grease on the poles risks staining the curtains. I'd use silicone if they were plastic or wooden - is there anything clean/dry for metal?

If it's metal on metal, I'd have thought using a fine file on the sliding edges would be more effective?

BJ

Rub the pole tops with a fine sanding block, and try Candle wax?

I second the suggestion of rubbing candle wax on the surfaces that touch.

Candle wax works as a lubricant on drawer slides too.

Watis

Furniture polish.

RC

...a fine file on the sliding edges...

...a fine sanding block...

Sorry if I haven't described it clearly - the pole and the rings are brand new and very smooth. I don't think that any sanding or even polishing would help, as the dragging is caused by the weight of the curtains, around 5kg each, combined with the 30 rings per curtain. I think it's just friction, but I'm looking for a lubricant which won't stain the fabric.

MyNameIsUrl wrote:Sorry if I haven't described it clearly - the pole and the rings are brand new and very smooth. I don't think that any sanding or even polishing would help, as the dragging is caused by the weight of the curtains, around 5kg each, combined with the 30 rings per curtain. I think it's just friction, but I'm looking for a lubricant which won't stain the fabric.

If the pole is new, I'm guessing it's got a coat of lacquer which is snagging on the rings because of the weight of the curtains. (Actually, our curtains are closer to 15 kg each!) It might improve as it settles in, but I'd still consider sanding/filing off the lacquer on the very top of the pole where you won't see it.

BJ

Just a thought off top of head, but maybe rubbing along the top of the pole with a soft pencil (4B or greater) might do it. Or not.
another option would be PTFE chain lube (aerosol can, but just squirt onto a duster and rub onto the pole).

thanks for the replies, I've tried a couple of suggestions:

I'm a fan of candle wax on drawer runners, but it's not as good on the curtains - the ring on the pole is essentially a point contact, never an ideal engineering design, and candle wax is simply scraped off

I'm also a fan of furniture polish which works well on plastic/wooden rings and poles, especially with very light curtains. What I've now tried is 'Wynn's Professional Formula Silicone-Lube' which has made a marked improvement. I'll see how long it lasts...

I haven't tried the pencil suggestion - I think it may have the same pitfalls as oil and grease, ie marking the curtaiins

thanks all

Try searching for a dry curtain rail lubricant there seem to be many. When we moved into a new house the fitter used one. A search revealed these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/500ml-silicone ... B004YTGCO6

Mike

Silicone polish ? Teflon lubricant ? Wax Candle ?

BTDT, the real answer is ...

Nylon lined curtain rings.

The wd40 people do a silicon spray.

GrahamPlatt wrote:Just a thought off top of head, but maybe rubbing along the top of the pole with a soft pencil (4B or greater).

Finally, after nearly 400 years, we know the correct answer is "not 2B".

Paul

Lubricant wears off....
If you look on eBay, you will find hordes of metal rings with some sort of plastic liners, at a peanuts price. They don't drag.

V8