Which greases to pack?

[RJJ]

I am bewildered by the number of different greases available. Grease the nut. Grease your outboard lugs. Grease the folding prop. Grease your winches. Grease the exhaust elbow. White grease, lithium grease, silicone grease, winch grease, copper grease, goosefat, vaseline, KY jelly...as well as tefgel, mclube, GT85 and WD40. And then of course there's brands which may simply duplicate all and any of the above.

Before heading off long-distance next year I would love to understand which of these are required, and which are best for "multi-tasking" without overly straining the "right tool right job" mantra.

Could anyone kindly please point me towards or provide a summary of what's recommended / what's in your toolbox?

Many thanks indeed!

 

[ip485]

I think four greases probably cover most of the needs and will do;

White,
Silicone,
A good multi purpose such as Shell Lube,
Winch grease

(and some Darglow if you have a Max prop. or something with a similiar requirement).

I think that covers most needs.

 

[Roberto]

I have most of them, two rather specific greases I would not be without are Lanocote, which becomes semi-solid and non sticky and seems to last forever, excellent for exemple for turnbuckles or also to isolate steel plates from aluminium (if Duralac/TefGel/Mastinox are not available), second one the white teflon grease for all plastic/teflon pieces: zippers, sheet traveler sliders, etc.

Ok third one the white calcium/lithium one for my Max Prop propeller, I used other types but washed away too quickly.

 

[vyv_cox]

Bruntons recommend a grease to this spec for their Autoprop. SKF high load, extreme pressure, wide temperature range grease This is a fairly typical lithium complex grease that will do the vast majority of jobs on board. I carry this and a clear silicone grease that can be useful for a few jobs.

 

[RJJ]

Brilliant thanks everyone.

What's silicone grease used for, vs. "white grease"?

So I understand that prop grease is specific to the task (I have an EWOL feathering prop and will RFTM), Lanocote for isolating different metals and for turnbuckles, some form(s) of spray lube...and then white grease for most other tasks. Right?

 

[vyv_cox]

Brilliant thanks everyone.

What's silicone grease used for, vs. "white grease"?

So I understand that prop grease is specific to the task (I have an EWOL feathering prop and will RFTM), Lanocote for isolating different metals and for turnbuckles, some form(s) of spray lube...and then white grease for most other tasks. Right?

Traditional white grease was calcium sulfonate based, having the best performance in water. Modern lithium complex greases are equally good in water and better at high temperature. It is possible to buy 'white lithium' grease that is able to fulfil almost all requirements on board.
I use silicone grease occasionally, it is very resistant to wash-off and being clear is 'nicer' for some duties, e.g. domestic water pump and valve O-rings.

 

[vyv_cox]

I have never used Lanocote and know nothing about it. I do have a can of Waxoyl used to spray carbon steel items on the engine that rust in salty environment, e.g. engine mounts and beds

 

[RichardS]

I have copper grease, aluminium grease, bearing grease, silicone grease, white marine grease, waterproof calcium grease, red rubber grease and aerosol lithium grease on board.

The three essentials would be copper grease, silicone grease and waterproof grease.

Richard