Ball head service question

El Gato

I have a ball head and it has become a tad bit "stiff" not as fluid as in days past. This may be due to the various weather and surface conditions it is exposed to during any typical excursion. I can be in temps exceeding +45C and as low as -56C, and everywhere in between, in humid or windy, sandy or snowy conditions.

I am looking for suggestions as to a safe lubricant to use on the ball head to return it to its previous level of fluidity. I don't want to use a product that will gum up the motion nor ruin the mechanism in any manner or leave unnecessary, potentially damaging residue.

Suggestion are welcomed.

In advance, many thanks

Art Scott

a dry silicone base lube................graphite would be my next option but well you said no residue.....of course with the tiny bit needed for lubing it might not be a prob and surely won't give a prob due to extreme climate changes....

kdog

Don't lubricate it unless you know for sure what you're doing, because you can damage the ballhead if you get it wrong. You need to find out the specific procedure for your ballhead. The user manual that came with it is a good place to start. Alternatively, you can probably find instructions somewhere on the internet. Otherwise, I'd contact the manufacturer and ask them.

For example, RRS states that their ballheads are lubricated at the factory, and you should never attempt to lubricate them yourself because they will not operate properly if you do. They go on to give instructions for cleaning them if they get dirt inside. If I had some odd-ball ballhead that was made in somebody's basement or something and I was desperate, I'd try silicone spray on it. I've found few things in this world that can be damaged by it. But I'd never go against the manufacturers recommendations.

El Gato

Thanks!!
Art and Kdog:

Thanks for your advice. I'll try to find the owner's manual and see what I can learn. I'll also keep looking on the web.

Appreciate your comments and feedback.