# 3 in 1 oil question, and moral support;) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 23, 2026, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313 "2026-09-23T15:25:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/1 "2026-09-23T15:25:43Z")
My curved shower door feels gritty when you slide it. I’ve clean and cleaned. Bought a particular thin brush for cleaning a crevice like the little gliders glide on. Laying in bed it came to me. Lubricant. That’s the ticket. Would 3 in 1 oil be safe for this operation? I’m thinking of the tile finish and the gliders/wheels being that hard white plastic. P.S. I can’t tell you how these kinda things bug me. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/2 "2026-09-23T15:54:18Z")
Silicone spray might be better, attract less dirt. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/3 "2026-09-23T16:09:27Z")
Good idea. Oil can gummy from dust, etc. And stay away from WD-40. It’s not meant to be a lubricant, although it’s treated that way. It might help to degunk your slides, but then would need to be wiped away. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/4 "2026-09-23T16:24:36Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Silicone spray might be better, attract less dirt. And I’d actually up that to _food-safe_ silicone lubricant spray for something that’ll be that close to my scantily clad bod. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/5 "2026-09-23T16:28:57Z")
WD-40 cures many such problems as well as human ills. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/6 "2026-09-23T16:30:46Z")
I have this issue with one of my folding closet doors that moves on little wheels. I’m going to try this solution on that. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/7 "2026-09-23T16:52:22Z")
Wax. Drip a little candle wax into the track and move the door back and forth to spread it around. Detritus won’t stick to it, it’s waterproof, and pretty harmless in all other ways, too. Oils and greases could damage the finish of your shower, and even worse, if it gets onto the pan, it’ll make it even more slippery. Nothing like calling 9-1-1 when you’re legs akimbo in your birthday suit in the shower because you broke a leg and can’t get up. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/8 "2026-09-23T17:34:22Z")
That’s not a terrible idea, except that it may be the wheels axles that are getting worn down, so may need to remove the doors to get at those with a wax candle. Bike chain wax lubricant spray would make that easier without having to necessarily remove the doors. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/9 "2026-09-23T17:43:45Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Bike chain wax lubricant spray would make that easier without having to necessarily remove the doors. - There’s also drip chain wax lubes. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/10 "2026-09-23T19:21:03Z")
Oh. Wow. Lots to think about. Those wheel things could be the problem. I definitely don’t wanna remove the doors. Thanks all. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/11 "2026-09-23T19:28:52Z")
Plus, I’d be worried 3-in-1 oil might mess with the plastic parts as well. Another option might be Super Lube. It’s a synthetic, food grade, clear grease that’s pretty cheap, and pretty much inert as far as plastic parts are concerned. And it’s a grease, so it’ll stay in place a little better than oil would in a shower, with hot water and soap everywhere. [Super Lube Multi-Purpose Synthetic Grease (NLGI 2) | Super Lube](https://www.super-lube.com/product/super-lube-multi-purpose-synthetic-grease-nlgi-2/) ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/12 "2026-09-23T19:55:34Z")
Lanoline … organic grease/wax derived from sheep’s hair/wool (not the body) … its that stuff that keeps sheep wool impermeable to water and avoids (evolutionary) weighing down sheep after a long hard rain and making it an easy prey. Smells like sheep, but the best part is its extremely non-ivasive and can be used on all kinds of material, where mineral oils are advised against, stuff like rubber or latex seals … the 99% leftover you can apply to dry skin, or lips etc… (chapstick = 90% lanoline -\>so that might also work 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/13 "2026-09-23T19:59:15Z")
follow up Q : isn’t silicon-spray just a fancy name for mineral oil (like 3 in 1 oil is) … ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/14 "2026-09-23T20:14:34Z")
Short answer: no. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/15 "2026-09-23T20:17:18Z")
Another vote for lanolin. Amazing stuff, and it won’t wash away. It’s the lubricant/corrosion inhibitor of choice on my boat for all my running/standing rigging and deck hardware. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/16 "2026-09-23T20:25:58Z")
I was all on board with lanolin until I got to this part: > [@Al128](#): > > Smells like sheep No thanks! ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/17 "2026-09-23T20:34:25Z")
What did I ever do to ewe?? [![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR4YLQavna1y7Cg-C7EEtZFIUMzGyDVdWV6cYt0oja_XA&s=10) ](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR4YLQavna1y7Cg-C7EEtZFIUMzGyDVdWV6cYt0oja_XA&s=10) Lanolin even comes with a handy applicator. See above. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/18 "2026-09-23T20:34:28Z")
there are “higher processed” Lanolins, that do not have that smell (and ear-wax aspect 😉 ) anhydrous is the key word that gets the sheep out of lanolin, it seems … ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/19 "2026-09-23T20:36:54Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > (chapstick = 90% lanoline -\>so that might also work 😉 ) No, I’m virtually certain that isn’t true. What you are thinking of is petrolatum, i.e. petroleum jelly. I am very allergic to lanolin (and to wool) and I use chapstick a lot, plus lips are a sensitive tissue, so I’m sure if it had contained lanolin I would have known about it in minutes. (There may be a brand of lip balm that contains lanolin that I have not tried, but standard ones don’t.) ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313/20 "2026-09-23T20:43:59Z")
as per CS’s website: [![](https://i.postimg.cc/XqK4dVZS/image.png) ](https://i.postimg.cc/XqK4dVZS/image.png) (but it seems to a rather small degree) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-in-1-oil-question-and-moral-support/1033313.md?page=2)