[Mark Korda]

Dear Frank, I must direct a special question to you.
    I am almost in the final step of an AR-XA turntable restoration. It's gone real slick mostly because of a guy you know, Wayner. He has really helped me thru some areas needed to be addressed before the 1983 Audio Basics instructions for making the old better, parts, how's and why's ect. It's looking like the one you guys had on your site.
   Believe it or not I have the original plastic jar of silicone you recommened from the Nye Co. in New Bedford Mass. I sent away for it back in 83 and used it for 2 mod jobs back then. I opened up the jar today and the silicone looks very clear. I stuck a small bar straw in it and it had a viscosity almost like warm taffy, extra thick STP, or warm roofing tar. When dipping the bar straw out of the jar the silicone acts like, heres a better one, cold molasses. This is why I am asking you besides Wayne, I want to see if you remember this stuff.
   Here is my question? Can I use this stuff for the lubing or should I huck it out and use something else? And I guess if I don't use it, what should I use?
    Thanks Frank and Wayner.....Mark Korda

[*Scotty*]

Silicone lubricants can migrate depending upon their viscosity. From what you describe this stuff will probably spread well beyond the point of application. If this is not a problem and enough of it will stay on what you want lubricated you could use it.
 My first choice would be a modern full synthetic lubricant of the correct viscosity.
Scotty

[Wayner]

I use Slick 50 for platter bearing lube, in all of my turntables.

[Mark Korda]

Wayne and Scotty, thanks!
   It had been so long I forgot about how thick the saved silicone was. The Audio Basics directions said use drops. That was not possible so I've got to throw it out. I should have known Scotty but with this forum I had to check.
   Wayne I went to 2 auto parts stores and you had to buy Slick 50 in a 21 dollar bottle so I checked the computer again. I settled for sewing machine oil, not 3 and 1. Liquid Wrench light machine oil non detergent. It's 2.50 and with a dropper top. Well sorry to bore ya, but double checking with you guys has saved me from making a big mess...thanks again..Mark K.....Another guy on a forum said the AR provided oil was Shell 20 weight (non-detergent).