Need Advice on Lubricant

I am working on the slow motion controls of my equitorial mount and I will need to replace the lubricant around the shaft/gear that the slow motion knobs are attached to. The stuff that was on there (and that is on the gears in the mount itself) is BLACK and fairly disgusting. Where do I get this and/or is there something better? Is there something in local plumbing or hardware stores or should I get this on line? Need your recomnedation.

Lynn

Lynn,
I have been using Kendall Multi-Purpose EP-2 (L-426) lithium and find it to be easy to clean off and stays where I put it. I put a small "blob" in the freezer and when removed it was just as pliable as when warm. Others like Slick 50, but the Kendall EP-2 lithium seem to work great for my mount gears even in 10 degree weather. It is available at most auto supply stores.
Stu