Is there a type of grease that's compatible with plastic or nylon?

[Carlostrece]

My LG front load washer wore out its drum suspension system. It needs 2 new springs and 3 new shocks. I ordered the parts. My cousin will install by following instructions in a couple of Youtube DIY fixit videos.

Each shock is held in place by a white plastic mounting pin that goes through a hole in each end of the shock. The instructions in one video say to grease the new mounting pins before installing them. The guy use a small brush to slather on some of clear lubricant that he referred to as grease. Is there a type kind of grease that is compatible with plastic (or nylon)?

I'm wondering if the pins might be nylon, even though he referred to them as plastic.

In another repair video, an older repairman replaced the same 3 shocks. He used liquid hand soap to lubricate the pins.

Prior to watching these videos, I would have used NAPA Mac silicon spray lube because I know it's plastic, nylon, and rubber safe. However, I also know silicon spray lube won't last as long as a grease would.

The shocks mounts will rotate/move soms on the pins. It'd be nice to lubricate them with something that is plastic/nylon safe and lasts as long as possible before drying out or wearing out.

What do you recommend?

 

[Jetronic]

Silicon grease

 

[Carlostrece]

Here's a video of a young repair guy replacing 1 of the 3 shocks. Notice he uses a brush to apply something he calls grease to the plastic shock mounting pins. It doesn't look like grease to me, but I'm no expert. What do you think it looks like he's using? Could it really be a type of grease?

 

[spasm3]

Silicone grease is what I would use.

 

[Carlostrece]

In first video where the guy applied something he called grease, he only struggled a little to get the pins installed. He had to lightly tap them into place using his pliars for a hammer.

In a second video about replacing the shocks, a repairman used no lube. I noticed he had a difficult time getting the unlubricated pins installed. He had to pound them into place using his pliars for a hammer.

In a 3rd video I watched, and older repairman used liquid hand soap for lube. He easily pushed the pins into place with his finger.

So after explaining that. It got me thinking and wondering if lubrication is only needed for installation and not needed for operation of machine?

 

[Carlostrece]

Silicone grease is what I would use.

I didn't know that silicon grease exists. Thanks!

Is silicon grease as compatible for use on plastic and/or nylon as silicon spray lube is?

I know silicon spray lube is great for plastic, rubber, metal light duty, etc.

 

[Jetronic]

I didn't know that silicon grease exists. Thanks!

Is silicon grease as compatible for use on plastic and/or nylon as silicon spray lube is?

I know silicon spray lube is great for plastic, rubber, metal light duty, etc.

it's the same thing, except for the viscosity.

 

[Carlostrece]

it's the same thing, except for the viscosity.

That's awesome news! Thank you! I'm going to get a lot of use from this info. Starting with my washer, but for many other things too!

NAPA Mac is my favorite brand of silicon spray. It's totally clear. So if it gets on carpet or upolstery, it doesn't stain. I wonder if there's a NAPA Mac silicon grease?

I'm also open to brand suggestions if you think brand matters and you have a peference.

 

[Jetronic]

Just don't use it for metal on metal lubrication, it's no good for that.

 

[Carlostrece]

Just don't use it for metal on metal lubrication, it's no good for that.

I assume you mean don't use silicon grease for high pressure, heavy duty, metal on metal? Like not for wheel bearings for example?

I've been using NAPA Mac silicon spray lube for light duty metal on metal for years. Car and house door hinges and locks for years with excellent results, but that's light duty metal on metal. It's also great for moisturing rubber/foam door seals so they don't crack, and it prevents doors freezing shut in winter.

Am I missing something?

 

[Jetronic]

no, don't use it for any metal on metal lubrication. it promotes galling. I suppose the worst case would be steel on steel. You can use silicone spray as a water repellent.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

That's awesome news! Thank you! I'm going to get a lot of use from this info. Starting with my washer, but for many other things too!

NAPA Mac is my favorite brand of silicon spray. It's totally clear. So if it gets on carpet or upolstery, it doesn't stain. I wonder if there's a NAPA Mac silicon grease?

I'm also open to brand suggestions if you think brand matters and you have a peference.

Check out the links from @Trav in the brake section. Silicone paste recommended by many for caliper slide pins since it doesn't make rubber boots swell.

This was one he recommended since the Mission Automotive is not currently available 8oz Silicone Paste

 

[doitmyself]

Just don't use it for metal on metal lubrication, it's no good for that.

I learn something new here almost every day . A Google search confirms that silicone (spelling edited) oil has low film strength. Of course we use it often for rubber enclosed brake caliper slide pins which must be a low load situation. Thanks!!

SuperLube grease shows wide compatibility with many plastics, but is not compatible with EPDM rubber: https://www.super-lube.com/Content/Images/uploaded/documents/Compatability Charts/Super Lube Compatability Chart for both Polymers and Elastomers.pdf

 

[Pablo]

siliconE (silicone) Silicone Grease

Silicon, no.

https://sciencenotes.org/what-is-the-difference-between-silicon-and-silicone/

 

[Nessism1]

I learn something new here almost every day . A Google search confirms that silicon oil has low film strength. Of course we use it often for rubber enclosed brake caliper slide pins which must be a low load situation. Thanks!!

SuperLube grease shows wide compatibility with many plastics, but is not compatible with EPDM rubber: https://www.super-lube.com/Content/Images/uploaded/documents/Compatability Charts/Super Lube Compatability Chart for both Polymers and Elastomers.pdf

Nice chart! I was going to suggest SuperLube grease, but you beat me to it!

Silicone grease will work also, but doesn't have the film strength. It also has more limited usefulness.

Nylon is pretty tough. Polycarbonate will crack if slathered with hydrocarbon based grease.

 

[ka9mnx]

I usually use white lithium grease sold in a can or white petroleum jelly sold in the cosmetic department.