# Antonym for lubricant? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 20, 2008, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642 "2008-11-20T14:23:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/1 "2008-11-20T14:23:45Z")
I need an anti-lubricant. My doorhinges got lubed, and now the damn door won’t stay open. I need to contact maintenance and get them to use an anti-lubricant. But what is the antonym for lubricant? ---
**Author:** ![Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prelude_to_Fascination)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/2 "2008-11-20T14:28:23Z")
Desiccant? I’d think you’d need something to dry the lubricant, but off the top of my head, I can’t think of what product would do it, exactly. But maybe you could look for some sort of desiccant. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/3 "2008-11-20T14:33:55Z")
I’m probably wrong, but it seems like adhesive could be the actual word. What you’re probably looking for is belt dressing or traction oil or somesuch. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/4 "2008-11-20T14:34:06Z")
A dessicant will typically just absorb water and water vapor. There is no anti-lubricant but you want a solvent. I think if the hinges were rinsed out with mineral spirits or acetone that would have the desired effect, but it would be a messy job, much more effort than the original lube job. I doubt they would jump at the chance. In this case I think the antonym for “lubricant” is “doorstop.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/5 "2008-11-20T14:37:53Z")
I was told once that WD-40 actually works well for this purpose. I’ve never tried this, though, but I found at least [one site](http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/repair/msg0910202913348.html) where somebody suggests it. I don’t claim that it works, I only have anecdotal evidence. Also, I have no idea what you would call an anti-lube. Although “anti-lubricant” gets the point across if you don’t mind risking sounding ignorant wrt an uncommon word. ETA: Nevermind, CookingWithGas seems to know more about than I do. Which must be really easy because I am totally clueless. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/6 "2008-11-20T14:42:24Z")
Antonym for lubricant? Lubrican. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/7 "2008-11-20T14:43:37Z")
**Antonym for lubricant?** Duct tape? ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/8 "2008-11-20T14:47:12Z")
Menopause? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/9 "2008-11-20T14:59:36Z")
The term **frictionizer** is actually used by some. **Friction enhancer** is the more common term. A little dab of concentrated HCl will rust up the hinge pins nicely. ---
**Author:** ![JerseyFrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bcef8e/32.png) [@JerseyFrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerseyFrank)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/10 "2008-11-20T15:20:17Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > I need an anti-lubricant. My doorhinges got lubed, and now the damn door won’t stay open. I need to contact maintenance and get them to use an anti-lubricant. But what is the antonym for lubricant? Your door probably just isn’t plumb. The simple solution is a doorstop. I’ve got one on my bathroom door that has a little catch on the back of the door. When it comes in contact with the stop on the adjacent wall it has a weak tension clasp that holds it in place. That’s what I’d use if I had a door that should be normally open but won’t stay open. ---
**Author:** ![mmmiiikkkeee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/edb3f5/32.png) [@mmmiiikkkeee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmmiiikkkeee)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/11 "2008-11-20T15:30:15Z")
Just tell maintenance to fix a door that won’t stay open; they’ll know how and what to bring - you don’t need to go to the trouble of researching a solution for them. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/12 "2008-11-20T15:38:15Z")
As anyone who ever tempted sex on the beach knows, SAND the antilube. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/13 "2008-11-20T15:52:46Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > The term **frictionizer** is actually used by some. > **Friction enhancer** is the more common term. I was thinking **abrasive**. However, what is called for in this case is _soap_ – find one that claims to be good at cutting greases, and clean those doorhinges off. Then go back and add the proper, limited, amount of lube you need. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/14 "2008-11-20T16:20:23Z")
> [@seodoa](#): > > I was told once that WD-40 actually works well for this purpose. > > I’ve never tried this, though, but I found at least [one site](http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/repair/msg0910202913348.html) where somebody suggests it. That’s a great cite, exact same problem. However, I will slightly disagree with the WD-40. It does act as a solvent and will clean up heavier lubricants like grease, but it is itself a light oil so will also lubricate the hinges. I use it to lube my own door hinges when they get squeaky. The belt dressing sounds promising, which I know nothing about. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/15 "2008-11-20T16:23:51Z")
Standard doorstops won’t work, the damn door gets opened and closed 3 dozen times a day. A convenient tension clasp will also merit maintenance installation. I will probably have to turn over the job to maintenance, but that may take a long time. I am limited in ‘do-it-yourself’ terms because pointy metal things are under lock and key, and I can only access scalpels and scissors, not screwdrivers or hinge removers. Meanwhile, I will just have one patient I know come down and breath on the hinges. I think that will corrode them sufficiently. Damn hinges worked fine, they just screeched to wake the dead every time the damn door opened or closed. Since lube, silence reigns now, at the cost of a door that shuts itself inconveniently. Thanks for the suggestions, all. “Traction oil”. I like that term. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/16 "2008-11-20T16:25:22Z")
If this was a door at your house, I’d suggest that you pull out the hinge pins one at a time and wipe them off with a paper towel to remove the excess oil. If the door is still a free spirit, then you’d take out the top hinge pin, lay it on the driveway or other convenient hard surface and give the pin a thunk right in the middle with a hammer. Just enough so it’s no longer perfectly straight. Don’t hit it so hard that it’s visibly bent, or you’ll never be able to get it back in. With luck, you’ll have created enough of an intentional bind that the door will stay open on its own. On the assumption that this door is at the prison, your only real option is to call maintenance and thank them profusely for taking care of that infernal squeak, but oh, is there anything you can do about how it won’t stay open now? They’ll probably send someone over with a rubber doorstop. Or, tell them that you were propping the door open with a TEC-9, but the SORT team needs it back. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/17 "2008-11-20T18:36:27Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > There is no anti-lubricant BWAHAHAHAHA! Those who defy me will be first against the wall when the revolution comes! Oh! Erm… sorry… ah … as you were. Apologies for the hijack. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/18 "2008-11-20T19:18:08Z")
Carb or brake cleaner will remove all oil from the hinges. Really, just plain rubbing alcohol will do the trick. But if you’re trying to get it in a door hinge, aerosol pressure would be helpful. I can’t imagine you trying to get a can of non chlorinated brake cleaner past the guards. Hell, one can of carb cleaner could kill a man if he couldn’t clean if off. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/19 "2008-11-20T19:34:06Z")
Do Not Eat The Desiccant. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642/20 "2008-11-20T19:46:58Z")
> [@kolga](#): > > menopause? LOL!! :d [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonym-for-lubricant/473642.md?page=2)