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

[ripcord]

Some lithium grease may be compatible with some types of plastics but it depends on the composition. If it doesn't say so on the label, I would avoid it in favor of a silicone based lube.

A grease type product may work better long term over a spray on liquid in you application. Sil-Glyde is one that will definitely work well for you.

https://www.amazon.com/AGS-SIL-Glyde-Multi-Purpose-All-Weather-Lubricating/dp/B000KXLR5E

 

[Carlostrece]

Compatibility of petroleum grease with the pins will depend on what plastic the pins is. Silicone greases are actually gels using a silicone fluid usually thickened with a silica gelling agent. Silicone gels should be compatible with the pins but it would be good to know what plastic the pins are made of. Then check chemical compatibility tables.

I don't think that the type of plastic info is available. If it is, I don't know how to obtain that info.

 

[RDMgr]

I don't think that the type of plastic info is available. If it is, I don't know how to obtain that info.

Usually it's the base oil compatibility that you look at. Silicone fluids are compatible with a wide range of plastics. Mineral oil base fluids are usually compatible with polyamide (Nylon), polyethylene and polypropylene are generally considered compatible. Remember that a lot of grease cartridges are made of polyethylene and polypropylene.

Check the chemical compatibility or resistance tables for various fluids including mineral oil with various plastics.

 

[Carlostrece]

Usually it's the base oil compatibility that you look at. Silicone fluids are compatible with a wide range of plastics. Mineral oil base fluids are usually compatible with polyamide (Nylon), polyethylene and polypropylene are generally considered compatible. Remember that a lot of grease cartridges are made of polyethylene and polypropylene.

Check the chemical compatibility or resistance tables for various fluids including mineral oil with various plastics.

That's ^ good info thanks about grease, but what I meant in my earlier post is that I don't know what type of plastic the shock mounting pins are, or if they might be nylon. I think we should assume the worst. i.e. - assume they're made of an at risk material.

 

[RDMgr]

That's ^ good info thanks about grease, but what I meant in my earlier post is that I don't know what type of plastic the shock mounting pins are, or if they might be nylon. I think we should assume the worst. i.e. - assume they're made of an at risk material.

I was just adding general information to the pot. The best option is a silicone gel because of its wide ranging compatibility and availability.

 

[Carlostrece]

Thanks for the education. I've decided to get silicone grease aka gel.

NAPA has NAPA brand silicon gel in a large 8 oz tube. It's expensive. 8 oz would be a lifetime supply x3 for me. I don't need that much.

Are there smaller tubes available that cost less? I want good quality, but only need a small quantity.

From what I think I understand from this thread... A small tube of brake caliper pin lube/grease/paste would be silicone gel/grease. Is that correct?

I see small tubes of brake caliper pin lube available at NAPA & Oreilly for low cost.

I'm also open to other small quantity low cost options.