Silicone Grease Recommendations?

[SLMcc]

I know this thread is a little old but figured I'd ask here instead of starting a new thread... Is this stuff good to use?

 

https://www.oatey.com/ASSETS/DOCUMENTS/ITEMS/EN/PlumbersSiliconeGrease.pdf

 

I already have it but if it would be bad for a new to me Pelikan 400NN I'd buy something. Thanks!

[Trekker]

An easy source for silicone grease is McMaster Carr.

 

In general, if you need a specialty repair item, they’ll have it. Their catalog in paper, via app, or website is excellent.

[MBDostoevsky]

Would a watch repair silicone grease be applicable for sealing eye dropper (ebonite) threads?

 

The specs are as under:

 

[I-am-not-really-here]

I lean toward NO because the information implies to me that the grease mentioned is designed to keep the watch gaskets pliable. In other words it is the gasket that prevents moisture penetration, not the grease itself.

[eachan]

https://www.vintagepensacsandparts.com/section.php/2/1/ink_sacs_for_fountain_pens/a8f3bc718609b89f380bdb2179415694

[MBDostoevsky]

https://www.vintagepensacsandparts.com/section.php/2/1/ink_sacs_for_fountain_pens/a8f3bc718609b89f380bdb2179415694

 

Thank You. It has always been a pleasant experience dealing with Mark.

[sansenri]

Mares for scuba diving is perfect (100% pure silicone) I have a small tube that is lasting me years since I bought it...

I got mine originally on Amazon but cannot trace it, available also on the bay

https://www.ebay.it/itm/GRASSO-AL-SILICONE-MARES-20-ML-DELLA-MARES/392640780916?hash=item5b6b36da74:g:tLIAAOSwSydeICs5

[Ron Z]

Earlier in this 4 year old thread I mentioned Dow-Corning Molykote 111. I've been using it in the pens that I repair for about a decade now. It resists washing off in your ink, excellent for piston seals, plunger rods and other pen related applications. The application data says that it is designed to resist washing off, which is a problem with thinner silicone greases and silicone oil. Some time ago I decided to make it available, so I keep it in stock. You'll find it on our "stuff" page. A little goes a very long way.

[MBDostoevsky]

Earlier in this 4 year old thread I mentioned Dow-Corning Molykote 111. I've been using it in the pens that I repair for about a decade now. It resists washing off in your ink, excellent for piston seals, plunger rods and other pen related applications. The application data says that it is designed to resist washing off, which is a problem with thinner silicone greases and silicone oil. Some time ago I decided to make it available, so I keep it in stock. You'll find it on our "stuff" page. A little goes a very long way.

 

Thank You. But I live far away where the postage will cost me at least $25 for a $5 Silicon Grease.

 

I have ebonite eyedroppers for which I need this grease. No scuba shops here as I live in a land locked city and the car workshops / plumbers use some other sealant which is anything but pure 100% Silicone Grease.

[FredRydr]

Thank You. But I live far away where the postage will cost me at least $25 for a $5 Silicon Grease....

 

Sometimes, shipping is a necessary expense to ensure you receive a quality product. Compare the cost of using a less expensive local product that causes problems or damage to expensive pens. Consider a group purchase to share the postage, or buy a larger amount to "justify" the postage. I would expect postage to be US$14.50 International First Class.

[MBDostoevsky]

 

Sometimes, shipping is a necessary expense to ensure you receive a quality product. Compare the cost of using a less expensive local product that causes problems or damage to expensive pens. Consider a group purchase to share the postage, or buy a larger amount to "justify" the postage. I would expect postage to be US$14.50 International First Class.

 

Thank you FredRydr... I guess I will have to wait out a bit till I plan to order something and include Silicone Grease.

[eachan]

Good silicone grease is available everywhere. It would be ridiculous to pay international postage.

[Karmachanic]

Good silicone grease is available everywhere. It would be ridiculous to pay international postage.

 

This from your personal experience in Ouagadougou, or Popondetta? Just askin'.

From my experience of living in small third world countries I can say t'aint necessarily so.

Edited July 28, 2020 by Karmachanic

[Addertooth]

If you have a hardware/home-improvement store in your area, then go into the section where faucets and plumbing fixtures are sold. They sell a small tube with a high grade (thick) silicon-grease in a tube. They tube costs me less than $4 locally. It has a nice narrow tip, which is perfect for working on pens. I also use it for O-Rings which are for high pressure (4500 PSI) air tanks (as well as pens). It is resistant to being "washed away", and provides good lubrication as well.

[eachan]

 

This from your personal experience in Ouagadougou, or Popondetta? Just askin'.

From my experience of living in small third world countries I can say t'aint necessarily so.

 

I'm not sure what you're likely to have in Tralfamador but those of us who live in the real world are usually not that far from either a home improvement or diving store. In any case, there must be few countries where you can't get such a common item by paying only domestic shipping rate.

[Karmachanic]

In Tralfamador we imagine an object and it appears. No shipping involved. When MBDostoevsky says that quality silicone grease is hard to find in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, I have no reason not to believe him.

 

As for the watch repair silicone grease, if that is the best available, I'd be inclined to try it on an inexpensive sacrificial pen; an eyedropper perhaps. Then check it a few months later. If that silicone is being sold to watchmakers it will obviously use language that appeals to that sector, which does not necessarily preclude usage elsewhere.

 

Will be of Molycote 111 quality? Probably not. Will it eat the pen? Probably not.

[MBDostoevsky]

Thank You All

 

Hopefully will dig out something. Though i have visited endless plumbing shops and auto workshops. All I am given is Silicon Sealant and not grease.

 

With the pandemic and the precaution associated with it most of the brick and mortar outlets have been closed.

 

The usual recourse is online. However, not an issue.

[sansenri]

if I were you I would make a second attempt with scuba diving shops and associations

 

http://www.emac.pk/2014/07/emac-scuba-in-islamabad/

 

for scuba divers it is really important as a matter of safety to use high quality 100% silicone grease for the scuba equipment valves

 

I'm sure some of them would know where to get the good stuff...

[BaronWulfraed]

I would like to point out that the scuba requirement is because /petroleum/ products will self-combust at the pressures encountered by an oxygen (or even high-pressure air) tank.

 

This also affects pre-charged pneumatic air-guns (and even spring-piston models). though to common lube for air-gun chambers is a silicone OIL, not a grease

 

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/Hill_Hand_Pump_NLGI_2_Silicone_Grease_15G_Tube/5765

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/RWS_Air_Chamber_Lube_Dropper_Silicone_Oil_50_oz/3002

 

The oils are probably not suited for sealing purposes.

[Ron Z]

 

 

The oils are probably not suited for sealing purposes.

 

...and they wash off very easily, getting into ink and feeds.