Rubber O-ring, Electrical Connector & Vaseline

[Gobi King]

Is Vaseline safe on rubber orings?

I have flash lights, and other electronics that have orings. looking for a safe lube for the rubber.

I am guessing Vaseline is not very conductive, but would it be ok to use as a lube on electrical connectors in an emergency? safe on plastics?

[wfjord]

I've read that vaseline is conductive (petroleum based).  tse321 is not conductive, but tsi301 is as it contains a solvent. Don't know how 321 affects rubber..

[thorhammer]

rubber is a very broad term, but generally should be ok. food-grade petroleum jelly is used as a lubricant in cosmetic, OTC and food processing equipment and on occasion can contact rubber seals, EPDM, viton, PTFE etc. in filler pistons and sanitary  fitting gaskets. UV will be worse on soft rubber than PJ, most likely.

[Tiddlerbasher]

Silicon grease is a good general purpose lubricant for virtually all types o ring. Many of the 'pure' synthetic greases are ok for most o rings (nitrile, viton etc.) - probably not the best for silicon o rings but still ok.
Silicon grease is a reasonably good protector but specialist greases have their place. If corrosion is not an issue then silicon grease is fine. If salt, and similar corrosives, are present I would go for a pure synthetic grease. I no longer use (or see the need) for petroleum based greases. Assuming bearings are also involved I would then only use a quality synthetic grease.

[Gobi King]

Food Grade - I like that term, what would be food grade that I can use, don't have to worry about kids or moi handing it when replacing batteries etc.

Silicon check - I need to spray some on the truck door seals, every time it gets cold after a rain storm, the darn doors get stuck.

[oc1]

Food Grade

Benny had some food grade grease a while back.  You can also find it at a restaurant supply store.
-steve

[Gobi King]

Food Grade

Benny had some food grade grease a while back.  You can also find it at a restaurant supply store.
-steve

Ok, see what I find, how do I figure out if it is safe on rubber?

[sabaman1]

In hardware store plumbing department they usually carry a grease for lubing up orings and other rubber seals used in plumbing.

[Tiddlerbasher]

yep that's silicone grease - providing it is pure, i.e. no additives it's considered non toxic.

[handi2]

Just get some Superlube grease. It's cheap.

[oc1]

[how do I figure out if it is safe on rubber?

Use FDA in the search term.  FDA compliant equates to food-safe.  Most products will say it's safe for O-rings.  For example:
http://www.clearcoproducts.com/pdf/grease/NP-Silicone%20Grease%20NLGI2%20O-Ring%20and%20Valve%20Lubricant.pdf

"Rubber" is sort of a squishy term, so to speak, and is used in all sorts of ways.

From another place; "Some of the common types of O-ring materials include PTFE, Nitrile (Buna), Neoprene, EPDM Rubber and Fluorocarbon (Viton).  Silicone and Kalrez® O-ring materials are also widely used, especially in high temperature applications."
-s

[Brewcrafter]

Shibly - I shot you a couple photos on your cell of a product that we use; I think it will just the ticket for you.  I just pulled in from a long day on the 91 FWY; I will try and upload photos to the forum tomorrow.  It says "White" on the label but it is more like industrial grade Vaseline in terms of color and texture.  I don't know anything about salt water but we use it for O-rings, shaft seals, piston seals, you name it and it our environment is can see temps from -3C in glycol plumbing to sub boiling in our wort transfer.  Pretty commonly available but if you cannot source and want to try it I should be in one of the breweries later this week and I can see if we have an extra tube laying around. - john

[Wompus Cat]

I have used this for over 40 years on plastic,Rubber, Vinyl, and more .
3M Wet type spray silicone !
Good stuff .



As always read precautions before using ANY Chemical or Lubricants.
Do Not use ANY Petroleum based product near oxygen masks,bottles etc..
Don't feed to Children, Pets, or  the Elderly.

[Cuttyhunker]

Chap Stick
Boat zippers, snaps, and fishing knots too

[Gobi King]

John, got it, posted it here.

Steve - MSDS, good point,

Wompus - I read the msds on 3m spray silicon - not good for skin contact

Keith - superlube, I will check if my local stores have a food grade grease.

thor - yes, I have no idea what the orings are made of.

The search is now for PURE/food grade silicone grease. Vaseline is out as it attacks rubber, I just read that.

I am pretty sure I have sil-glide silicone lube downstairs. let me grab that and read the warnings.