Graphite dry spray grease

[Cerebus]

What is this type of lubricant for?

It sprays from a can and makes a film of grey graphite.

I have been told it should not be used in bearings because it clogs them up.

What are its benefits over more runny greases? What is it created for, or what is its purpose?

 

[KevinV]

Great stuff for things that need to slide or rotate on each other - and it doesn't attract dust and dirt.

Previous oils or grease do want to be removed before use or you end up with a horrible mess. Also has a tendency to wash away, so use regularly.

 

[Cerebus]

Great stuff for things that need to slide or rotate on each other - and it doesn't attract dust and dirt.

Previous oils or grease do want to be removed before use or you end up with a horrible mess. Also has a tendency to wash away, so use regularly.

Thanks

 

[Roberto]

Careful graphite is the most noble metal in the galvanic series, add any other metal sprinkle the two with sea water and you have a nice battery.

 

[LittleSister]

I don't know if it would suit your needs, but in locksmiths (and probably elsewhere) you can buy either plain powdered graphite in a plastic bottle with a nozzle for application (think plastic version of the traditional small 3-IN-1 oil can), or tiny spray tins (spray powered by a plunger, if I remember correctly, rather than a propellant) of 'lock lubricant' which is graphite in alcohol or some other liquid which evaporates after application. The former is the cheaper way of getting it, but can be at bit messy, the latter is good for getting into nooks and crannies, along horizontal (or even up vertical) openings such as key slots.

 

[penberth3]

Careful graphite is the most noble metal in the galvanic series, add any other metal sprinkle the two with sea water and you have a nice battery.

Graphite is a metal? Are you sure?

 

[Cerebus]

Careful graphite is the most noble metal in the galvanic series, add any other metal sprinkle the two with sea water and you have a nice battery.

I don’t understand that fully, but it seems to imply this ‘ graphite grease’ should not be used anywhere near a boat?

 

[Cerebus]

I don't know if it would suit your needs, but in locksmiths (and probably elsewhere) you can buy either plain powdered graphite in a plastic bottle with a nozzle for application (think plastic version of the traditional small 3-IN-1 oil can), or tiny spray tins (spray powered by a plunger, if I remember correctly, rather than a propellant) of 'lock lubricant' which is graphite in alcohol or some other liquid which evaporates after application. The former is the cheaper way of getting it, but can be at bit messy, the latter is good for getting into nooks and crannies, along horizontal (or even up vertical) openings such as key slots.

Thanks. I do have a jar of black ‘runny’ grease that I believe also contains graphite.

 

[Roberto]

Graphite is a metal? Are you sure?

Carbon, sort of half/half Topmost (or bottom) of the galvanic scale in sea water anyway, beyond gold.
A non insulated Al/light alloy rivet in a carbon spar wet with sea water takes a few weeks to disappear.

 

[Roberto]

I don’t understand that fully, but it seems to imply this ‘ graphite grease’ should not be used anywhere near a boat?

Any metal in contact with graphite+electrolyte (like sea water or conductive moisture, dampness etc) is corroded by the latter, to a varying extent. There are so many different greases so why take the risk, I would not use it anywhere on a boat. Even copper grease, I just used it for the injectors.
Galvanic series - Wikipedia

 

[Cerebus]

Any metal in contact with graphite+electrolyte (like sea water or conductive moisture, dampness etc) is corroded by the latter, to a varying extent. There are so many different greases so why take the risk, I would not use it anywhere on a boat. Even copper grease, I just used it for the injectors.
Galvanic series - Wikipedia

Thanks

 

[KevinV]

Any metal in contact with graphite+electrolyte (like sea water or conductive moisture, dampness etc) is corroded by the latter, to a varying extent. There are so many different greases so why take the risk, I would not use it anywhere on a boat. Even copper grease, I just used it for the injectors.
Galvanic series - Wikipedia

I'm sure your chemistry is correct, but I've used graphite in sail grooves and the likes for years to no detriment.

 

[alahol2]

I'm sure your chemistry is correct, but I've used graphite in sail grooves and the likes for years to no detriment.

No electrolyte so no problem.

 

[ylop]

Graphite is a metal? Are you sure?

Well, while for most purposes graphite is considered a non-metal, in the galvanic series it acts very much like a metal.

I would have thought that (absent of an electrolyte) its conductive properties make it a good lubricant where the parts need to make good electrical contact. Traditional greases don’t conduct electricity well.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Graphite id what was uses in old carbon zinc batteries so any carbon / graphite will create a battery with an elect rite (sea water) and will corrode when current flows