What Do You Use to Oil Trimmers?

Manual Trimmers

• Manual garden trimmers, or garden shears, are specially designed trimmers operated by hand. They generally rely on a simple hinge and spring to operate. Even these simple components can become difficult to move over time. An all-purpose water-displacing spray can keep trimmer blades clean and free of rust. Alternately, a 3-in-1 oil product adds lubrication, making the trimmer easier to operate. Oiling is especially important after you sharpen manual trimmer blades, since sharpening changes the angle at which blades make contact with one another.

Electric Trimmers

• Electric hedge trimmers, a powered alternative to manual trimmers, feature rows of sharpened teeth that slide past one another in rapid succession. Each tooth needs to be sharp enough to cut through leaves and small branches to deliver a clean cut. While water-displacing spray is useful for protecting blades, electric trimmers work best when they're lubricated. Penetrating liquid lubricants and dry silicone powder lubricants allow electric trimmer blades to move with less effort.

Gas String Trimmers

• Gas string trimmers use small gasoline engines to power a spinning string cutter. These trimmers don't have conventional blades, removing the need to lubricate the cutting surface. They do employ gas motors that require lubrication of the moving parts, just as automobile engines do. Conventional motor oil, either mixed with the gasoline or in a separate reservoir, will lubricate this type of trimmer automatically as it runs.

Benefits

• Oiling any type of trimmer can extend its useful life. In the case of oiling trimmer blades, a thin coating of oil prevents rust between uses and can dissolve tree sap and other organic material collecting on the blades during use. Oiling a string trimmer's motor makes operation smoother and prolongs engine life while increasing overall efficiency and power. The owner's manual that came with your trimmer may include information about suggested oil types and brands.