Yellow paste

[pappaecho]

During my rewire of the boat, I have come across spade terminals which have been coated with a yellow/cream paste, which appears to prevent any sort of corrosion. Over the weekend I replaced my masthead light which was 22 years old... the spade terminals were covered in this material and completely corrosion free.

Anybody any idea of what it is? Boat is an Evasion 32 built in La Rochelle - France

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[geoffatstanpit]

Could be that creamy coloured grade of grease that was used for something nautical. I can't remember what it's called and I've had my tin so long you can't read the label anymore except that it was Duckhams. I use it on pintles, outboard screws etc.

Geoff

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[Wardy]

Grease? or maybe vaseline!

when i worked for BT i'm pretty sure that in line connections in them green boxes on the corners of streets contained a grease to prevent moisture ingress.

maybe someone will correct me, but I see no harm in coating connections in this way.

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[Oldhand]

It could be Duralac which is used as a corrosion preventer in metal joints in the aerospace industry and is very uesful on boats.

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[Elza_Skip]

I have used a grease called electrolube on trailer lights and electrics for a number of years and have recently bought a similar electrical grease aerosol from RS components for the electrics on my boat

However the alternative is vaseline as this seems to resist water better than grease

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[Sgeir]

Wardy - 'in line connections in them green boxes on the corners of streets contained a grease'

- they sure did. It was Petroleum Jelly from the cables (and inside the blue crimps - white didn't have them). Jointing the grease filled cables was the origin of the now long-gone PJ allowance.

Anyway, I agree with the other comments - Vaseline, a trade name for PJ, is fine for electrical connections on board. The "unbranded" stuff is almost free it's that cheap.

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[john_morris_uk]

Yellow paste sounds suspiciously like Duralac. I agree with the other posters - vaseline in probably nearly as good in the circumstances.

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[StephenSails]

I agree, it does sound like Duralac, I use it on loads of things especially when fitting out spars. Its good stuff and it is available from most chandlerys for about £8 per tube but you will never use it all unless you go mad, its quite toxic so be carefull with it!

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[macd]

Agree with others that it's probably Duralec. Think the main use isn't so much on exposed electrical connectors, but between joints of disimilar metals, such as rivets or bolts into mast and boom. No idea how it works, but it certainly seems to. Good stuff.

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[BrendanS]

It's just a brand name for a zinc chromate anti corrosive jointing compound. There are actually two formulations available, one is available in small quantitites, and hardens with time. The other is available in larger quantities, and remains soft over longer periods, which means it is easier to dismantle items of dis-similar metals that have been joined with the paste smeared on the join.

Agree with other posters that vaseline will do a similar job for coating electrical components. Duralac comes into it's own when used to stop electrolysis of dis-similar metals. like monel rivets in aluminium masts etc.

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[djarraluda]

I would be a little cautious about using Duralac. It is designed as a non-conductive paste to prevent electrolytic actions between dissimilar metals, so it will not exactly improve an electrical connection. What is needed is a moisture barrier, which is why some sort of petroleum jelly is preferred. Vaseline is good, or to be really traditional, I tend to use lanolin.

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[tross]

Durlac, or pigmented varnish as we used to call it when I used to build radar systems for the Sea King, will dry over time so I guess it is not this. Strange, I used to use it by the gallon load then now I have to pay £8 for a small tube of it!

I would recommend that you used silicon grease rather than vasiline as it will not dry out over time. I still have a tube my father had 40 years ago and it is still good. The added benefit of using Silicon grease is you can use it on O rings and other things with out causing damage to the rubber or plastic.

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[cliff]

"Could be that creamy coloured grade of grease that was used for something nautical. I can't remember what it's called and I've had my tin so long you can't read the label anymore except that it was Duckhams. I use it on pintles, outboard screws etc."

KEENOL



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