Lubrication is not about making everything slippery. It is about protecting specific threads and fasteners so they do not seize, wear, or twist seals during tightening. The guide recommends applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly (for example Vaseline) to rotor bolts after cleaning or autoclaving, and also when swing-out arms do not move freely, because lubrication reduces friction and prevents damage from repeated tightening.
Where should you lubricate a rotor, and where must you never lubricate it?
It also recommends applying a thin layer to the lid thread of fixed-angle rotors after each run, specifically to prevent seal twisting and thread wear. That small habit often prevents the “stuck lid” problem and reduces long-term wear on expensive parts.
The “do not” matters just as much. The guide explicitly warns not to grease the rotor cone, and it also warns against greasing other centrifuge components such as the lid lock and motor shaft. Grease in the wrong place attracts dirt, risks contamination, and can cause mechanical problems.
For the exact lubrication points and the reasoning behind each one, download the full guide.
