Is there a way to dissolve or break down polyester fibers? (lemmy.zip)

submitted 1 year ago by ViscountMochi@lemmy.zip to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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I recently bought a shag rug for my living room. Not realizing that the motor/actuator for my electric recliner sat directly over the floor, the fibers got caught in the actuator which is now seized and no longer functions. The motor is still fine, however, so if I could find a way to dissolve the polyester fibers and clean up the actuator I could get it working without having to buy a $170 replacement.

For further clarification, the actuator is a large metal screw with a plastic piece that fits over it like a ring on a finger. The plastic piece gets bolted to the recliner's internal hardware. The only other way to "fix" it that I can think of is to break off the plastic piece but I am unable to find a replacement part.

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[-] LordOfTheChia@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Can you share a picture of the piece with the fibers in it?

Lithium grease could help if you can get it under the plastic screw.

If the fibers are long enough, you could try pulling them out with needle nose pliers.

If you are going to try to dissolve out the fibers, try a very small amount on the outside of the plastic screw to make sure it won't dissolve it as well.

this post was submitted on 26 Sep 2023

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