How to Lubricate a Rubik’s Cube
Before jumping into the procedures, some guidelines must be set:
1. NEVER use Petroleum Jelly to lubricate your Rubik’s cube. Petroleum Jelly has oil distillates so it will seem to help the movement of your cube in the beginning, but in the end will cause your cube to become even stiffer than it was before. If you have already applied Petroleum Jelly to your cube, it is recommended that you remove it as soon as possible (using water) or buy a new cube.
2. ALWAYS use silicone spray. Some of the most popular lubricants for Rubik’s cubes are CRC Silicone Spray (often found at Wal-Marts for $1.97), Jigaloo, and Ace all in one. From previous experience, I would recommend CRC Silicone Spray as it is affordable (Jigaloo is 6-7 dollars), and works great.
3. There are always different ways to lubricate a Rubik’s cube. Some say the method one uses doesn’t matter. This article will show you several ways to do it.
Now that the guidelines have been covered, we can move on to the actual procedures.
What you’ll need:
-A Rubik’s Cube
-Silicone Spray Lubricant
-A Cloth or Paper Towel
-Optional: A Wedge (if your Rubik’s cube is too stiff and you cannot take out the piece by yourself)
-Optional: A fan (Silicone can cause cancer so it is recommended you do this in an open air area, or just use a fan to keep the air circulation going)
The Steps:
1. All of the methods to be mentioned follow the same universal first step: Rotate the top layer of your Rubik’s cube forty-five degrees, then pry the middle piece on the top layer out. If you cannot do this by yourself, take a wedge (ex. a screwdriver) and carefully place it under the cubie and pry it up.
Method 1: Simple Spray (Estimated time: 5-10 minutes)
1. Follow the step mentioned above.
2. Once you have removed the cubie, you should see the inside of your cube. Take your silicone spray straw and insert it into the silicone spray can. This is so that you can actually spray the silicone spray accurately into the cube.
3. Shake your silicone spray and point your silicone spray straw into the cube, then spray away.
4. Try not to make a mess, but if you do, take your paper towel/cloth and wipe the mess up. Silicone spray usually dries quickly.
5. Turn each side of your Rubik’s cube over and over again. This is to get the silicone spray all around the cube.
6. That’s all there is to it for the 1st method.
Method 2: Cubie Dowse (Estimated time: 5-15 minutes)
1. Follow the step mentioned earlier.
2. Take out the corner piece (right/left, doesn’t really matter which).
3. Shake your silicone spray, and take the straw and insert it into the can. Spray the silicone into the corner cubie (the underside).
4. Rotate your cube so that the hole in your cube is on the bottom layer.
5. Carefully reinsert the edge piece and the corner piece.
6. Turn your cube over (to let the silicone trickle down the cube) and then turn your cube on each side multiple times.
7. That’s it for the 2nd method.
Recommended: Method 3: Comprehensive Spray (Estimated time: 30-50 minutes)
The following method is widely used for cubers who like to have evenly lubricated cubes. Although it may take a little longer than the other methods, it is well worth it.
1. Follow the step mentioned earlier in the article.
2. Once you have removed the first cubie, start turning your cube. The remaining pieces should fall out. Place your core (center of the cube with the 6 centers attache) aside.
3. Lay out every set of pieces in lines. Make the lines as long as you wish.
4. Shake your silicone spray, remove the straw if it is on the can, and then spray quickly down your lines of cubies…then back.
5. Once you have finished your first side of each cubie, wait for the silicone to dry (5-10 minutes) and turn each cubie over to another side.
6. Take your silicone spray, shake it, and once again spray quickly down and back on your lines of cubies.
7. Once again, wait for all of the cubies to dry, then turn them to another side that hasn’t been sprayed. If you have followed the steps correctly, this should be the last side on each cubie.
8. Shake your silicone spray, and once again spray quickly down and back your lines of cubies.
9. Wait for your cubies to dry, leave the cubies out for a little longer and then reassemble your cube.
10. In order to reassemble your cube, first make one bottom layer, then fit the middle layer before completing the top layer.
Hopefully after learning how to properly lubricate your Rubik’s cube, you will be able to be problem-free with your Rubik’s cube. Lubricating your cube will have a noticable effect usually after a little playing around with your cube. If done correctly, a lubricated cube can trim your times down at least five seconds.
