cab top hinge joints

[Patrick Brennan]

I realize that after 80 years some of my joints don't flex as they once did. I realize the top hinges on a 55 year old cab don't flex as they once did. How do I lubricate them and with what. I have spoken with several "experts" only to get a shrug of the shoulders. I will give any reasonable suggestion a try.

[Greg Bryan]

That's a very reasonable question as it is very easy to overdo it and stain the cloth parts. I had mine recovered about 3 years ago and gave it a liberal oiling when it was bare. A very careful application of some spray can oil/liquid grease with a 6 inch extension might work - even WD40 is better than dry.

[Martin Benade]

WD40 evaporates after a short time, it may help free things up but needs to be followed with oil. I believe sewing machine oil is available with a needle applicator so you can carefully give a drop or two to each pivot.

[Gary Carriveau]

Patrick,
A watch maker supplies vendor (for example:https://www.esslinger.com/oils-and-lubricants-1/) offers a variety of reasonably priced watch oilers which allow a very careful,controlled application of high quality lubrication.

Gary

[Ron LaDow]

Pretty sure the concern here is keeping the lube off the fabric.
How about using a shallow puddle of the lube, q-tips to wick it from the puddle and then pressed on the exposed side of the 'hinge'; let it 'capillary' into the joints. 4-in-one oil if it were me.

[Martin Benade]

Is 4 in one the same thing as the old 3 in one? That stuff was corrosive, an unusual property for a lubricant.

[Ned Gorski]

Watch oil through a needle..
Thenwipe excess wrap the jount with strips of cloth (torn bed sheets ) work the top remove the strips wipe . And repeat if needed..once your satisfied . i would personally rewrap the oiled joints and store with top open and not latched untill I'm sure all the residual oil is gone. A drop of oil goes a long way to lube a jount that doesn't move more tham 90 deg . Lube sparingly. I just did the same thing on the original 550 spyder top i found.
Regards Ned

[Ron LaDow]

Is 4 in one the same thing as the old 3 in one?

It was before inflation... That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

That stuff was corrosive, an unusual property for a lubricant.

I did no know that.