Cleaning and maintaining ratchet binders, what do you use?

this

this stuff is amazing

ridiculously overpriced, but amazing

 

Like with pb, now that it's clean go ahead and use some lube.

 

KL73 and close them and hang a chain off them so they don't unwind every time. Or if I know I won't be using them for awhile graphite spray

 

Lucas Toolbox Buddy spray. I get it for free, so why not? It actually works really well. Spray it in my locks too.

 

I switched from WD-40 to PB Blaster a couple of years ago. PB Blaster does seem to attract less dust and grime.

After watching the video posted previously I may try SeaFoam. BUT...

... here's the thing that hasn't been discussed in this thread that probably over rides whatever product you use:

HOW DO YOU STOW YOUR BINDERS???

I see guys stowing their binders OPEN hanging in the headache rack, with no full fenders on their drives. They get mud and salt slung into the open binders. Guess what? That driver is going to have some issues using those binders after driving through two hours of crap to get to the shipper.

I bought my truck two years ago, complete with the headache rack and a full set of chains and binders. No full fenders. I threw away half the binders because they were rusted beyond use.

Now I stow all my binders CLOSED after hitting them with PB Blaster. I stow them in the step side box on my tractor. They are completely protected from the elements.

I cringe any time I see a driver pulling OPEN binders off a headache rack. Triple cringe when they don't have full fenders on the drives. Think it through. Will ANY product protect metal in that situation?

 

This works so well I will type it again. Take both ends out of binder, take a grease gun and put 1 or 2 pumps in each end. Wind them up tight and then back out. There done for over a year I don't care where you store them. And if you really want them to work smooth use a drop of oil on the handle and clicker.

 

I use the seafoam and my headache rack is open with no fenders and my entire front drive axle is exposed and have zero issues with the seafoam.

 

I store mine on one of these opened up for speed of use also
https://www.myteeproducts.com/ratchet-binder-rack-holds-11-binders.html
Bolted to the middle of my HR out in the open. Best money spent for a while. If you have cabinet style HR the make shorter ones.
I tried storing them in one my boxes for years and it makes a mess.

 

I spray silicone lube on door seals, keeps them from freezing up with ice in those conditions