How to Lubricate Accordion Shutters (And When to Call a Pro)
You go to close your accordion hurricane shutters before a storm or to secure your home, and you’re met with a horrible grinding sound. They’re stiff, sticky, and hard to pull. This is a common problem, especially here on the Carolina coast, but the fix is often simple: you just need the right accordion shutter lubricant.
As storm protection experts, we’ve seen this hundreds of times. This practical guide from our experienced team will show you how to do it right and when to stop and call a professional.
Why Do Accordion Shutters Stick?
Your shutter tracks are exposed to the elements 24/7. In our coastal service area (from Wilmington to Myrtle Beach), the main culprits are:
- Salt: Salty air corrodes metal and leaves a gritty residue.
- Sand & Dirt: Wind blows fine sand and dirt into the tracks.
- Lack of Use: Shutters that sit open for 11 months of the year will naturally be stiff.
This buildup creates friction, making the shutters hard to move and causing that awful grinding sound. Regular lubrication is the #1 maintenance item for keeping them in top shape.
The Best (and Worst) Lubricant for Accordion Shutters
This is the most important part! Using the wrong product can make the problem *worse*.
What to USE: Silicone-Based Lubricant
The best lubricant for accordion shutters is a high-quality, silicone-based spray. You can find this at any hardware store. Why silicone? Because it sprays on “dry.” It lubricates the metal and plastic parts without leaving a sticky, oily residue. This is critical because it repels future dust, sand, and grime.
What NOT to Use: WD-40, Oil, or Grease
Do NOT use WD-40. While it’s a great product, it is a *degreaser* and *water displacer*, not a long-term lubricant. It will clean the track, but it will also attract every particle of dust and sand, turning into a gummy paste that makes your problem ten times worse.
Likewise, avoid all “wet” lubricants like household oil or bearing grease. These are magnets for salt and sand and will clog your tracks and wheels.
How to Lubricate Your Accordion Shutters (A 4-Step Guide)
- Clean the Tracks First: You can’t lubricate dirt. Use a vacuum with a crevice tool to suck all the loose sand and debris from the bottom and top tracks. Use a damp cloth to wipe out any remaining grime.
- Apply Lubricant to Moving Parts: Lightly spray the silicone lubricant directly onto the wheels or rollers in the top track. You can also spray a small amount onto a cloth and wipe the inside of the tracks. A little goes a long way.
- Work the Shutter: Open and close the shutter 3 or 4 times. This will distribute the lubricant evenly across all the wheels and the full length of the track. You should feel it getting smoother immediately.
- Wipe Any Excess: Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe away any excess spray from the shutter panels or walls.
When to Stop and Call a Pro
Lubrication solves 90% of sticky shutter problems. But if you’ve cleaned and lubricated the tracks and the shutter still grinds, sticks, or refuses to budge, STOP. DO NOT FORCE IT.
Forcing a jammed shutter can bend the track, break the wheels, or snap the locking mechanism, leading to a much more expensive repair. A stuck shutter might be a sign of:
- A broken or seized roller.
- A bent or damaged track.
- A salt-seized locking mechanism.
This is when you need a professional. You can learn more at our Hurricane Shutter Maintenance Guide, or better yet, just give us a call.
Need a Professional Shutter Tune-Up?
If your shutters are giving you trouble, don’t wait for a storm to find out they’re broken. American Hurricane Shutters offers professional maintenance and repair for all shutter types. We’ll get your shutters gliding like new.
Contact our Wilmington office today for a service call.
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