We might mistake a sliding glass door as broken if it doesn’t open and close properly. However, this is not always the case, and the problem is much simpler than you might have initially thought.
Sometimes you can fix the issue by lubricating the glass’s slide mechanism. But how do you lubricate a sliding glass door?
It’s relatively easy to lubricate a sliding glass door. Clean the tracks first and then apply the lubricating solution to where you hear the squeaking sound. Evenly apply the solution by continuously moving the panels back and forth.
However, there are other concerns that you have to address besides the basic application of lubricant. It includes the effectiveness of WD-40 and the list of best lubricants in the market, which I will discuss in today’s article.
Steps to Lubricate Sliding Doors
In addition to applying the lubricant, you also have to note the basic steps to consider in making it last and not dry fast. Below are the steps to properly apply the lubricant solution.
Things You Need
The following are the things you will need to lubricate the door tracks.
- Lubricant solution
- Screwdriver
- Needle-nose pliers
- Cleaning cloths or paper towels
- Disposable toothbrush
Uninstall the Door Panels Temporarily
It would be very hard for anyone to apply the lubricant without removing the panels of the sliding glass doors first and foremost.
Fortunately, removing the sliding door panel is not as difficult as it appears. However, extra caution is needed because the panels are heavy and extremely fragile.
Although it’s possible to lubricate the sliding doors on your own, another person helping you with the process is necessary for stabilizing and carrying the door panel.
If you are not planning to get any help, then the following are the things you have to bear in mind to apply the lubrication on your own properly:
- Locate where the screws or any bolts connect the door panels from the door frame
- Remove the screws from their place and put them aside in a neat way. Ask for help from another person to prevent the door from tumbling over.
- To center the frame, move the screws to the middle of the door panel
- Tilt the door panel slightly and put them aside so you gain access to the rollers and tracks
Clean the Door Tracks
Before applying the solution, clean the dirt on the door tracks to avoid clogging that would affect the panels’ function.
Lubricate the Sliding Glass Doors
Apply the lubricant solution onto the tracks and rollers. Afterward, slide them back and forth a few times to evenly apply the lubricant. And then, spray another set of lubrication on the bottom parts of the door tracks.
Lastly, wipe any excess lubricants falling off the edges of the door tracks. Excess lubricants can cause smudges on the floor, but they are also accident-prone and could lead to slippage.
What Can I Use To Lubricate Sliding Doors?
Before applying the lubrication solution, you must identify whether the tracks are wood or vinyl. And this is an important factor to consider for knowing the right type of lubrication for the procedure.
You have to remember that not all lubrications are the same. Each of them varies in ingredients that will be suitable for different tracks made of different materials.
Most sliding tracks door today are made of vinyl because they are more durable and easier to maintain. And if your track is vinyl, it is recommended to use lubricants that are silicone-based solution and non-stick.
Get silicone-based lubricant on Amazon.
And silicone-based and non-stick lubricants are advisable because vinyl attracts and accumulates dirt if you choose the other way around. As a result, it will clog the tracks and makes it more difficult for you to maintain them in the future.
You can turn to a non-silicone if the tracks are wood instead of vinyl.
Is WD-40 Good For Sliding Doors?
Most experts recommend the WD-40 lubrication solution if you ask any of them. And this is the case because the solution has a universal purpose from its lubrication properties.
It is very easy to apply and works on corrosion and rusted tracks. You can apply WD-40 on surfaces such as rubber, vinyl, plastic, and metal, to name a few.
The solution is also extremely resistant to temperatures with the ranges of 100°F to 500°F.
However, the recommended application of WD-40 needs to be in small amounts on wood because they may cause the material to rust and deteriorate.
What Is the Best Lubricant For Sliding Glass Doors?
Aside from WD-40, the other best lubricant solutions are silicone-based and non-sticky, as explained earlier.
Lubricants made of silicone have a thin consistency and are not as oily or slippery as those made of heavy oil-based solutions. However, it is slippery enough to enable the door panels to roll swiftly.
Also, the great thing about them is that they do not attract and accumulate dirt as much as oil-based lubricants. Silicone lubricants are reliable and won’t clog dirt affecting the sliding doors’ mechanism.
Can You Use Vaseline On Sliding Glass Doors?
Vaseline can act as a lubricant. Therefore, you can use Vaseline as a substitute for WD-40 or any other silicone-based lubricant solution.
Apply small amounts of Vaseline to the frames’ sliding mechanism where you hear the squeaky sound.
