Be careful of what you use for a lube. The residue from the engine can get into places you never thought possible and "gum things up".

If you MUST use a lubericant for the pushrods, I suggest a DRY graphite powder. Do not apply the graphite powder until ALL the gluing and painting is finished since IF the powder gets into a glue joint or area you want to paint, it is next to impossible to get off.