Craig - speculation really, but I'd say the movement of the leafs w/ a bit of road grit included would quickly grind the paint off and maybe be worse than nothing - think yer 1st plan was best option if paint is desired, or if ya want lube between, use the teflon products or some graphite dry lube - remember that too slippery is not a good thing

Bill


Moved over to the Passing Lane

"When we tug a single thing in nature we find it attached to the rest of the world" John Muir
"When we tug a single thing on an old truck, we find it falls off" me
Some TF series details & TF heater pics & Rust-a-holics Unanimous parking lot