Silicone Lubricant

[Mim]

I've been looking for silicone lubricant at Home Depot and an auto parts store but no one seems to have heard of it. I got some stuff for light bulb threads that contains silicone. What's the stuff that comes on the Arcs and where do I get it?

 

[BT1324]

hey,
just to add to that question....can i use cork grease. Thats the grease that saxophonists use to lubricate the cork to fit in the mouthpiece.

 

[this_is_nascar]

Save yourself a bunch of time and money. Go to Radio Shack and pay $4 for the tube of General Purpose Lube. That one tube will last a lifetime and allow to save $$$ to put towards your LS4.

 

[DaveT]

Try Radio Shack - Multi-Purpose Lube Gel. Part No. 64-2326.
It's about $3, and will lube a lot of Arcs.
Dave

 

[this_is_nascar]

We must have been typing the same thing at the same time Dave.

 

[_mike_]

The Radio Shack Lube Gel DaveT mentioned was one Peter Gransee said was perfectly fine. Good enough for Mr. Gransee, good enough for me.....so I bought some and use it, works fine.

Just a little bit on the o-ring is all you need, wipe the excess off the threads.
mike

 

[brightnorm]

[ QUOTE ]
yam said:
The Radio Shack Lube Gel DaveT mentioned was one Peter Gransee said was perfectly fine. Good enough for Mr. Gransee, good enough for me.....so I bought some and use it, works fine.

Just a little bit on the o-ring is all you need, wipe the excess off the threads.
mike

[/ QUOTE ]

I checked the ingredients. Among others: "10-20% petroleum hydrocarbens, 7-10% fumed silica". I seem to recall that ARC's o-rings were synthetic and unaffected by petrochemicals. Perhaps that is why Peter uses LubeGel to no ill effect, and I'm concerned that it may still be harmful to natural rubber o-rings.

Brightnorm

RADIOSHACK LUBE GEL INGREDIENTS

.

 

[_mike_]

brightnorm,

Your right, anything with a petroleum base would cause problems for natural rubber o-rings. You are also correct about Arc's o-rings..I think they are Nitrile. I seem to recall Peter even said his Arc's are ok using plain old Vaseline.

But your right, you would want to be sure of what your o-rings are made of before using the Radio Shack Lube Gel. Although, I'm not sure natural rubber o-rings are used much any more.

mike

 

[Hoghead]

Brinkman has O-Ring lubricant for $3.95 with free shipping.
http://www.thebrinkmanncorp.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=8&Product_ID=309&CATID=2

 

[js]

Don't use cork grease!

Any auto-parts store should have spark plug boot lubricant that is 100 percent silicone. Use that if you want. It's the right stuff and it's cheap and available in small quantities.

 

[Eric_M]

Here's a cut and paste from a couple of my other threads:

"I've had really good luck with Loctite Silicone lubricant, a 100% silicone grease. It really made a difference in my lights that twist on and off and seal with o-rings. It's the only thing that works on my Pelican that will not freeze it up. I got mine at Enco, www.use-enco.com

Part # 505-1181. It was $10.07 for a large 5.3 oz. tube."


Great stuff plus you'll get on the Enco mailing list. Lots of cool tools and machine accessories.

Eric

 

[BT1324]

hey js,
is it bad if i use cork grease? will it damage my arc?

 

[Stanley]

I finally managed to find some silicone grease just the other day... They're much harder to find over here, most hardware stores don't carry them. Guess I got lucky when I walked into a diving shop to look at the UK lights they were carrying, and managed to pick up a small jar for approx. $4! You might check out dive shops as well if you can't find them elsewhere.

I have to admit that the bezel on my UK 2L turns so much smoother and better now... all the o-rings on all my lights have since been introduced to 'Mr Silicone'. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Ray_of_Light]

I use pure silicone grease made from "saratoga", an US brand. It is perfect, specially with PTs... and I find it in specialized hardware store.


Anthony

 

[diddy808]

Gunk Makes a Plumber's Silicone Grease. Just check the plumber department at any hardware store /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
Gunk Silicone Grease

 

[js]

BT1324,

Cork grease will not damage your Arc, but you should get a grease
that is designed for electrical connections, and cork grease
definitely does not fall into that category. Who knows? It might
work fine, but if I were you I'd take the time to get any of the
recommendations in this thread.

 

[trailstoride]

I use CRC Di-Electric Grease (No. 05105 for a 3.3oz can) It is for electrical contacts, spark plugs, and fasteners. I bought it as Pep Boys (an Auto Parts store). Gives the Arc AAA a smooth feel. I use it on the threads a on the ends of the battery.