VPI Signature 21 Lubricate

Only problem for me using motor oil is you're stuck with a quart of oil after using a few drops for lube.

Ask Matt. 

George Merrill at G.M. Analog Emporium or HiFi Gem makes his own proprietary TT bearing Lube.  Great Stuff.  I use it on my VPI.

SB 

Understanding Lubricants for Tunrtable Bearings is not difficult. 

Grease required for all VPI Inverted Bearing designs, Oil for their non-inverted.  

Some say to avoid Oils that may have detergents in them, which is basically all Motor Oils.  Yet, they don't seem to hold much detriment to the VPI Bearing materials, and Harry himself had once said Mobil 1 Motor Oil was OK.  Reckon some Oil, is better than no Oil. 

Some use Air Compressor or Air Tool Oil, no detergents, and if you find the right viscosity, you're good to go. 

That's another important factor-consideration, lubricant viscosity. Like the 3 Bears, not too thick, not too thin, but it is said that to use a slightly heavier Oil or Grease can hold benefits with some ever so slightl amount of additional "drag" versus a too light Oil or Lube, and the bearing behaves in a "runaway" fashion.   Or perhaps is more prone to "rock".

Yeah, it's slick, but too slick. Don't necessarily judge a particular lube by how long the Platter spins either when you give it a whirl.

Here is what MusicDirect says, and for the Inverted Bearings

I've used Super Lube Grease for many things with various hobbies besides audio. Easy to find, reasonably priced are two plusses.

As for non-inverted VPI Bearings, and viscosity requirements, I don't see how anyone can use a grease with these bearings, as seating the bearing shaft into the well will be near impossible. 

Also, any excesses of lube oil or too thick Lubes of either oli or grease will merely be "scrubbed off" as the bearing shaft seats, and will pool out onto on the top flange of the bearing well.    Been there, done that.

Probably another rule of thumb is "That if a little is good, more is better" is not true with Platter Bearings. Using the correct amounts of lubrication is important.