Manfrotto 3029 head maintenance

[Papa Tango]

I have an old Manfrotto 3029 tripod head that is in serious need of cleaning. Any suggestions as to the best grease for a smooth resistance on movement would be?

 

[William W]

I use lithium grease for my Manfrotto 3 way pan head.
Some of my friends / colleagues stipulate using silicon grease and some even stipulate silicon grease 100~200 cst.
The reason I use lithium grease is because I work and live by the sea: the lithium grease I use is "Winch Grease" i.e. used for sailing boat winches. Whatever you choose, do not use much. Less is more.

WW

 

[Papa Tango]

It appears that this was what originally was in the axis races. Avoiding an increasingly annoyed group of cows, the head was dunked into a muddy pasture. There is a precautionary tale here about view cameras and cow lots, but another time.

That was 18 years ago. I flushed it a bit with naphtha and tossed it into a box. Now I have a task for it. After taking it down, I replaced with white lithium grease (Permatex). Oh boy, it was as clunky as when it came out of the box from B&H. That has been cleaned out, and a bit of molybdenium grease placed in. Works, but I know there's better.

After Neewer hit the scene pretty hard with 'improved' gear to begin rivaling the old Spirotone wonders, I bought a video rail kit that included a focus follower. The friction grease in there had the perfect feel, but it was the crappy kind that creeps back. After contacting them, they sent me a small tube of replacement goo. Hooray, no creep.

They don't sell it and have not responded with an inquiry to send me some. I would really like to know what grade and make this stuff is!