What is a safe lubricant for rubber?

[Tunar]

I'm just wondering what lubricant I can safety use on rubber in general such as a hose or an o-ring.

 

[joe_padavano]

Silicone

 

[lilredex]

Hand cleaner, Vaseline, soapy water, olive oil, etc and many more.

 

[malibu101]

I have used Sil-Glyde on my weatherstripping in the fall many years. Rub it in and then wipe the leftover off with a cloth.
Keeps them from freezing in our winters and they are still very pliable.

As an example of what I'm talking about. I use it for many purposes.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CIHTPE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

EDIT- I think silicone is bad for O2 sensors. Be careful if it can end up going through the exhaust.
And by the way, auto painters HATE silicone based products.

 

[nadogail]

Vasoline is a petroleum based compound.

Therefor I don't think it is appropriate for natural rubber.

 

[boostaholic1]

KY???

 

[WunTon]

I was going to suggest coconut oil but I've never tried it with rubbers works great without them though!

 

[BillK]

I have a tube of Dielectric grease for spark plug boots that I use for almost anything rubber. On heater and radiator hoses I just use some water or whatever coolant is going in the engine.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

O-rings I usually use whatever will be in the sealed compartment. Other times I use alcohol.

 

[Stuey]

Molykote 111

https://www.dupont.com/content/dam/...iterature/Downloaded-TDS/0901b803809b781e.pdf

Rubber and plastic O-rings, gaskets and seals.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Glycerin.

 

[malibu101]

O-rings I usually use whatever will be in the sealed compartment. Other times I use alcohol.

TRUTH on the first sentence!

Alcohol? Great cleaner, but, it evaporates kinda fast.
Cleaner, yes it will clean. Lubricant or protectant, I'm not sure.

 

[ZRX61]

KY, it's used to get rubber seals into fixtures on aircraft.

 

[Git]

I use this:

 

[larry_g]

I use this:

X2 on this. It's what it is designed for.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[ricleh]

x2 glycerin

 

[matt_i]

An automotive assembly plant can't use silicone because they could never paint a car or truck straight again. But they typically use water based P-80.

https://www.ipcol.com/products/asse...YAihfS9PWMvawz_etevsiMnrPxn6j20EaApevEALw_wcB

Keep in mind there are two major forms of "rubber", the EPDM like you have in radiator hoses and anything for "water service" and brake systems, and then the Nitrile/Buna-N seals for petroleum apps..oil-grease-fuel. There are other formulations, I've seen silicone hoses, but those are a bit more exotic. Best advice is to not get petroleum on an EPDM hose or o-ring, or clean it off immediately as it will cause long-term problems.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

TRUTH on the first sentence!

Alcohol? Great cleaner, but, it evaporates kinda fast.
Cleaner, yes it will clean. Lubricant or protectant, I'm not sure.

Yes Alcohol as a lubricant. Lasts long enough for the rubber to slip into place without distorting. Doesn't leave any oil or residue.

Who said anything about protectant?

 

[malibu101]

Yes Alcohol as a lubricant. Lasts long enough for the rubber to slip into place without distorting. Doesn't leave any oil or residue.

Who said anything about protectant?

Never even thought of trying it. Thanks for the info!

Protectant?- No one said anything. I guess it was in my thoughts. Sorry.

 

[fsae0607]

Sil-Glyde or RuGlyde from NAPA.

 

[tre873]

Call Trojan and ask what they use?

 

[HenryAZ]

Sil-Glyde, made specifically for o-rings.

 

[zmotorsports]

Sil-Glyde user here.

 

[Rod N]

I've always used white grease.
Wrong?

 

[Falcon67]

Dielectric or silicone is what I use here.

 

[rockettgpw]

http://www.redrubbergrease.com/

Have always used Castrol GRR on brake and radiator rubber. Makes getting hoses off less painful.

 

[Blickus]

Krytox