TheSamba.com :: View topic - Will white lithium grease free up stuck parts?

Wed Mar 31, 2010 10:20 pm

I've never used PB blaster - never seen it here - so can't comment on that. When I was doing my resto I dealt with badly stuck bolts either with engine oil from a can, and TIME - ie, leave it to soak overnight - or with heat.

Talking of lubricants in general though - I'm a keen cyclist and have therefore been exposed to more in the way of snake-oil overpriced lubricants than most. In my experience, anything with teflon in it that claims to be dry is an utter waste of time. At best, it'll wash off halfway through the first rainstorm. I'll use sillicone spray for protection, bog-basic cycle chain oil (on the bikes) or engine oil (in the van) for lubrication or freeing stuck stuff.

White lithium grease might get used for bearings if I didn't have some of the blue marine stuff lying around, but I've got enough for the next fifty years in one tub. Certainly wouldn't come near the van.

Thu Apr 01, 2010 6:39 am

Thanks for all the tips on removing the seat and the insight into grease :D . So far my rails have been sitting in PB since Sunday. I'll try again today if I get time before work and I'll go at it earnest tomorrow. I'm betting the seat was never adjusted or hasn't been in a very long time. I'm going to have to use a strap or something to keep the handle up to ensure the locking mechanism is disengaged. I'm loosing leverage and strength by always having to hold it with one hand,

Thu Apr 01, 2010 7:58 am

Most heavy and precision machinery companies that used to specify white lithium grease for most of a century...now specify Superlube. It is worlds away better than lithium.
Clear, non-staining, EP rated, FDA compliant flows similar to vasoline down to -30F has a drop point of 475F is synthetic, mushc less tacky than lithium and only takes a thin smear. It does not dry...and does not eat plastics or rubber.
Been using it for years for applications like this (seat rails, distributor, door latches, glides, suspension bushings).
http://www.super-lube.com/
Ray

Thu Apr 01, 2010 7:59 am

I've had good luck using the white CRC brand lithium grease in the spray can to lube things like hinges etc. It dries and isn't as much a dirt magnet as is the white grease in a tub.

Thu Apr 01, 2010 8:03 am

I'm backing up vdubtech here. I have the wd40 spray white lithium grease. I thought it would be good for skateboard bearings, but it's so thick it doesn't penetrate anything, even bearing covers.

I always hear people saying, "spray some wd40 on it' and I'm like, "no, don't do that, it will squeek even worse in a week." - the stuff is good for 'displacing water' and that's about it, despite what the can or website will say.

I use liquid wrench, never had pb blaster. It smells strongly, and would use it only for penetrating, not lubricating. -Being good at 1 makes it inherently worse for the other.

Dry lube is for your sail boat. It's expensive and it doesn't seem to work very well, especially since, to use it right, you'd have to get all the 'non-dry' lubricant out of whatever you'd spray it on first. You can't use both at once.

Thu Apr 01, 2010 8:13 am

I'm with Ray. SuperLube is where it's at. I've been using it for 10 years on all my vehicles and everything else you would use a light lube on. I drive over 60K miles a year and we maintain about 10 vehicle for our company and use it on all of them.

Leave white grease to someone else, I'll never use it again.

Thu Apr 01, 2010 8:24 am

Superlube makes about 50 products including a synthetic white lithium grease which is commonly found and used. Which Superlube product do you refer to?

WD40 is not white lithium grease. It is a water repellant designed to protect the inside of missles. It is sold to the public as a quick lubricant. It is essentially a light parafin wax in a base that evaporates so that the wax leaves a protective coating. I use it to spray down cylinders etc when they have been washed and dried after honing them so they don't rust.

Thu Apr 01, 2010 8:37 am

Oh yeah, you're right, the spray white lithium I got was by 3 in 1 oil, not wd 40.

I haven't tried the aerosol superlube. This is from their site:

Quote: Aerosol lubricants such as WD-40 and '4-way' sprays do not have anti-friction properties. Squeaks are only temporarily stopped because the spray wets the surface and then quickly evaporates. These sprays are good for releasing frozen nuts and bolts, but not for lubricating.
Super Lube® in the aerosol form, is a fully rated bearing grease, thinned temporarily with a solvent carrier, that cleans and penetrates, then completely evaporates, leaving behind a coating of grease that provides long lasting lubrication and corrosion protection. Super Lube® in the aerosol form is an excellent chain and open gear lubricant. Super Lube® will also release frozen nuts and bolts.

Thu Apr 01, 2010 3:28 pm

have you looked at all the products they sell?

http://www.super-lube.com/