I've noticed silicone sprays do attract a bit more dust, especially outdoors. Dry graphite worked better for me—less messy overall. But yeah, totally agree about weatherstripping:
"Replacing it wasn't fun."
Been there... proactive maintenance saves so much hassle later.
Have you tried PTFE dry lube yet? I switched to it after silicone spray kept pulling in dirt and grime—especially noticeable on windy days. Graphite worked okay for me too, but I found it a bit messy if you're not careful applying it. And yeah, weatherstripping... replaced mine last summer and still have flashbacks. Ever had the adhesive backing peel off halfway through installation? Talk about frustrating.
PTFE dry lube is definitely the way to go for windows, especially if you're dealing with a lot of dust or wind. Silicone sprays are okay for short-term fixes, but like you said, they do attract grime over time. Graphite's decent too, but I've had my fair share of messy fingertips after using it—no thanks, haha.
As for weatherstripping, I feel your pain. That backing peeling off halfway through is rage-inducing. One trick I've found helpful: warm up the adhesive strip slightly with a hairdryer before applying. It softens the glue just enough to make it stick better without peeling prematurely. Also, make sure the surface you're applying it to is thoroughly cleaned and dried beforehand—makes a huge difference in how well it sticks long-term.
Another thing to keep windows from aging prematurely: regularly check and clean out the drainage holes at the bottom of the frames. A lot of people overlook these, but clogged drainage holes can trap moisture and speed up deterioration. Just a quick poke-through with a toothpick or small screwdriver every few months does wonders.
Good call on the drainage holes—I learned that one the hard way after a nasty rainstorm left me with a mini swimming pool on my windowsill. Not fun. I've never tried PTFE dry lube though, usually just stuck with silicone spray and cursed the grime later. Does PTFE hold up well in colder climates? Winters here get pretty brutal, and I'm tired of reapplying stuff every few weeks...
"Does PTFE hold up well in colder climates? Winters here get pretty brutal..."
PTFE's decent, but honestly, I've found graphite powder holds up way better in harsh winters. Doesn't gum up or attract dirt like silicone, and you won't be reapplying every other week when temps drop below freezing...
PTFE's alright, but graphite powder isn't always the best either from what I've seen:
- Tried graphite last winter—ended up staining the window frames a bit. Not terrible, but noticeable.
- PTFE spray hasn't given me issues yet, even at -20°C. Maybe it depends on the quality or brand?
- Honestly though, I've had decent luck just cleaning and waxing the tracks once before winter hits. Seems to keep things smooth enough without constant reapplication...
I've actually had better luck with silicone spray myself:
- Tried graphite once, same staining issue you mentioned... messy.
- PTFE was okay, but felt like it wore off quicker than I'd hoped.
- Silicone spray seems to last longer for me, even through nasty winters. Just a quick spray in fall and I haven't had issues yet.
Might depend on your window material though—mine are vinyl, so maybe that's why silicone works better here.
Good points on silicone spray:
- Definitely cleaner than graphite... learned that the hard way myself.
- PTFE can be hit or miss depending on conditions.
- Silicone's solid for vinyl—also seen it hold up well on aluminum frames.
Sounds like you've found your sweet spot.
"PTFE can be hit or miss depending on conditions."
That's been my experience too. I tried PTFE spray on my aluminum frames last summer, and while it initially seemed promising, it didn't hold up as well as I'd hoped once the rainy season kicked in. It seemed to wash away or lose effectiveness pretty quickly, leaving me back at square one.
Silicone spray, on the other hand, has been consistently reliable for me. I've used it on vinyl windows for a couple of years now, and it's kept them smooth and easy to open without attracting dirt or grime. Definitely agree with you on silicone being cleaner than graphite—I made the mistake of using graphite powder once, and it ended up staining the frames and even the siding below the window. Lesson learned there...
One thing I'm curious about, though, is how silicone spray holds up in extreme temperature swings. My area sees pretty harsh winters followed by hot summers, and I've noticed some materials degrade faster under those conditions. Has anyone here noticed silicone spray performance changing significantly with temperature fluctuations? Or maybe there's another product that's better suited for climates with big seasonal shifts?
I've also heard some folks mention wax-based lubricants as an alternative, but haven't personally tried them yet. A neighbor swears by them for sliding patio doors, claiming they last longer and resist weather better. Might be worth experimenting with, but I'm hesitant to switch from silicone since it's been working so well for me.
Anyway, great discussion so far—it's always helpful hearing what works (and doesn't) for others.
I've had pretty good luck with silicone spray even in colder temperatures. Last winter got pretty brutal here—lots of ice and snow—but the silicone held up surprisingly well. Didn't notice any major changes in performance, though I did reapply it once mid-season just to be safe. Wax-based lubricants sound interesting, though...might give them a shot on my patio doors next spring and see how they compare.