fan bearing grease?

but

I've used clean axle grease, looks like vaseline. Cut it with lighter fluid, or was it gasoline? to use as a carrier and it migrates EVERYWHERE. then the naptha evaporates and you're left with one thick coating.

It's not grease, it's oil. The reason it seems thick is that pieces of plastic or rubber shavings have conaminated the oil.

I use whatever thin oil I happen to find on the shelf. It's not a critical application. If you want quality, get some PTFE or silicone lube that can handle high temperatures. Do NOT use 3-in-one oil, which is a vegetable lube and will turn to tar if hot.

The real trick to fixing the fan is push the rotor in and out like a piston to dislodge any accumulated crud in the bushing. However, if the rotor seems to wobble after oiling, it's probably too far gone to save.

Marginal, but interesting:

I use heavy gun oil. Most of the fans I fix are not frozen, but loose and noisy. The heavy gun oil stays in the gap better than the thin stuff. For fans without the plastic plug, an insulin syringe filled with oil will inject right thru the label, often without removing the fan from the box.

but

I will give a dab of molybdenum grease a go, as I have a tub of it, intended for military use. Although called grease it looks more like oil and migrates everywhere, including uphill , and is certainly high temperature formulation. No sign of wear or wobble

I use synthetic motor oil - this also restores CD player motors (CDM-3 as an example).

A quart will last generations in normal shop use for tiny fans and motors.

John :-#)#