Question:  

What parts are lubricated or require lubricant?

Answer:

Martin products with moving components — such as gobo and color effects, zoom and focus mechanisms, and CMY flag systems — are factory-lubricated with a high-temperature-resistant, silicone-based grease.  If a product has a history of poor maintenance, exposed components such as guide rails and slide rods may accumulate debris and may need to be cleaned and re-lubricated.

Question:  

Do I have to lubricate Martin parts?

Answer:

The short answer is no.  Martin parts that require lubrication are factory-treated with grease designed to last for the lifetime of the product.  However, there may be situations where re-lubrication is necessary, such as when a part is removed or handled for cleaning and requires a fresh application of lubricant.

Question:  

What type of lubricant to use?

Answer:

Whether a fixture uses LED or a discharge lamp, these products operate at high temperatures and therefore require lubrication that can withstand elevated heat while maintaining performance.  A high-quality, high-temperature-resistant, silicone-based lubricant is strongly recommended.

Martin uses Klüber Barrierta 55/0 grease as its lubricant of choice due to its proven long-term stability and excellent thermal resistance.  This lubricant has an ideal viscosity to ensure optimal performance of the components to which it is applied.

Martin does not recommend the use of alternative lubricants.  Some products marketed as “high-temperature resistant” can dry out quickly and behave like an adhesive, causing parts to seize or bind and potentially leading to errors, abnormal behavior, or component damage.

Question:  

How do I apply lube to a part?

Answer:

When applying Barrierta lubricant, only a very small amount is needed to create a thin, even layer on the surface of the part.  A foam microfiber swab can be used to work the lubricant into the surface until it is fully covered with a barely visible film.

Question:  

Does Martin provide a lubricant?

Answer:

Martin carries 4-gram tubes of Klüber Barrierta 55/0 lubricant grease as a spare part.  The part number is 37302015.  Please contact our Parts Department for pricing and availability.