Sliding Berth Wood Base is Sticking

[BozSail]

I have a sliding single berth in the saloon of my boat that, after sliding it out, becomes about a one and one-half size berth. The problem is that it sticks something awful when I try to slide it out. It is difficult (sticks and jams up) to slide out and it's even more difficult to slide it back in. Is there any kind of lubricant that I can use that is good for the wood and will also aid in keeping the wood-on-wood sliding berth base operating smoothly - or at least help the situation? I'll be grateful for any suggestions that will keep me from further straining my old back.

[avb3]

Try rubbing it with a bar of soap. Seriously. It seems to work well in all wood on wood sticking problems.

[Richard5]

You may have a humidity problem.

[Bill Burgette]

Candle wax works wonders on wood slides and one treatment lasts virtually forever.

[Charlie]

+1 on candle wax. Also it can be a problem of pulling the berth out so that both the right and the left side come out at the same pace.

[Nemo55]

arent there guidance tracks underneath,,,if there are,then they may have come loose or worn out.

[cc6538454]

Door-Ease no mess stick lubricant. It is just parafin wax. Great on zippers, screws, seals and window tracks. Same idea as soap or candle but this is softer so it spreads nice and is waterproof. I finally used up a tube I have had in my tool box for over 30 years.

[WebWench]

I like bees wax. They sell it at sewing stores in round blocks for strengthening and lubricating thread. Just take it out of the plastic holder and rub on the sticking surface. Use it on thread if you have to make repairs to sunbrella or sails as well!

[bruce smith]

what have you aboard? corn oil, olive oil , candles, pam, a drop of the stuff on the end of the engine dip stick? how do you keep the other hundred things on the boat from sticking?

[tybee22]

Paraffin, I take an old deoderant stick container and melt block paraffin in a double boiler and pour it in. When it hardens just roll a little out and rub down the runners. Works on house windows as well as other things already mentioned.

[avb3]

Originally Posted by bruce smith

what have you aboard? corn oil, olive oil , candles, pam, a drop of the stuff on the end of the engine dip stick? how do you keep the other hundred things on the boat from sticking?

Other than the candles, no, no, no.... don't use the oils.

Why?

They attract dust and grime, and some of that stuff just will smell nasty when in a humid and hot environment.

[Ex-Calif]

+1 on not using oils. If the rails or bed are wood they can penetrate and swell the wood or tracks making the situation worse.

This is very dependent on the construction of the slides. Are they wood, teflon, aluminum, steel? Rollers, no rollers?

Picture would help.

[zeehag]

beeswax is awesome stuff---does wonders on sticky wood.

[BozSail]

This is strictly wood on wood situation. I picked up some bees wax at a hardware store today (that's all they had that matched any of your suggestions so far) and I'm going to apply it tomorrow morning. I'll let you know how it works to cure (I hope) the problem. Thanks for all the replies. They are much appreciated.

[zeehag]

surfboard wax is bees wax---is like a bar of soap only is a bar of beeswax for waxing surfboards.. works great on furniture also and wood on wood applications... good luck finding it in iowa, tho---might find it in new york and conecticutt.....