How do you clean and maintain shock shaft

Thin strip of cloth as above is the way I do it but if anyone has an easier way I'd be interested to know.

I had a Racingbros dust wiper seal which warped. Don't know how long it was like that because I couldn't see it. I'm not sure what caused it - maybe a bad design or friction according to some of the suspension techs on here. Haven't had an issue with the standard Rockshox seals, but I'm much more careful about keeping them clean and lubricated now.



Best way to do it is dab a few drops of lubricant around the wiper seal with a paint brush, cycle the shock a few times and then wipe it away. The lube picks up any dirt trapped under the seal and also keeps the seal lubricated. I use Interflon Fin Super - crazy stuff which makes the shock feel noticeably smoother.

I use lizard skin boots on my shocks and forks. I don't have any pics of my Ibis, but here's an old specialized. Clean with hose and dry with leaf blower. I don't think I ever lubricated, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt. The hightower looks challenging. Never cared for SC bikes, but if you can get it on there I'm sure it will do the trick.