I use Vaseline as the "dressing" for the leather cups, and reco you do that stat, I consider it the best and most valuable maintenance for these Silca pumps. Plus it could be the ONLY maintenance ever required. I also like to add a piece of wood to the base for stability, and since I used to do furniture work I tend to make them a bit prettier than just a 2x6 "drop". But nothing more than a scrap, would not buy new wood just for that. Ditto the handle: the stock oval plastic is the worst thing about these standard Silca floor models, I would replace with a more comfortable and LARGER wooden handle: you won't be able to source a metric threaded insert (easily) in US, so I do as many of the Super Pista pumps: drilled through wood, washers on top/bottom and a lock nut on top. Downside is that reduces the effective rod length/stroke slightly.